The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-06-12
WASHINGTON.
IMPORTANT CABINET MsgTrNe.


THE POWER OF MILITARY CoMAANDERs TO RE-
MOVE CIVIL oFFIoBRs-TBE ALLEGED OUT
RACES OF THE STATE TRoops IN TENNESSEE.
The Cabinet meeting To-Day was protracted to
later hour than usual, and all of the members
were present except Secretary Browning, who
was represented by Judge Otto, Assistant Secre-
tary OF the Interior. The questions under con-
sideIation were the opinion of Attorney General
Stanbery on the power OF Military District Com.
manders to remove officers of the civil Govern
ments, the action OF Generals sheridan and
Pope in removing Governor Wells of Louisiana,
and Mayor Withers, of Mobile, and the petit
tion of the citizens of Franklin county, Ten
nessee, to the President, asking protection from
the tyranny of Governor Bro wnloW's militia.
Very little information can be obtained
as to whether the Cabinet arrived at any def
mite conclusion in reference to the case of Gene
raj Sheridan and Governor Wells, but the pro-
babllity is that Governor Wells will not be i'm.
mediately 1einstate1, although there is some
reason to believe that the course of General
Sheridan In the matter Ia not approved. The
view taken OF the action of General Sheridan
by the more prominent officers of the Govern
ment, IT is stated on good authority, is, that the
Reconstruction acts give no authority to dis
trict commanders to remove civil officers, and
that such military power cannot be exercised
except through martial law; that dis
trict commanders were created to pre-
serve peace and good order in their dis
tricts, and to assist the civil authorities
to enforce the laws. In cases where the civil
officers fail TO do Justice in any matter coming
under their jurisdiction, comm anders have the
power of adjusting the matter by military com
mission, but no authority to remove the offend
ing civil officer. The belief is entertained by
many Well-intormed persons here, that If the
opinion of the Attorney General is adverse to
the actions of Generals Sheridan and Pope, In
removing civil officers in their Districts or If
either OF these commanders is relieved, or the
deposed officers renstated, the effect will be to
cause Congress to resume their session in July,
at the call OF the President of the Senate and
the Speaker of the House.
In the case of the outrages alleged te have
been committed by the Tennessee State militia,
instructions have been given to General Thomas,
commanding the Department of the Cumber.
land, to investigate the acts of violence said to
have been Derpetrated. On Thursday last
General Whipple, OF General Thomas staff, was
in Winchester county, Tennessee, engaged in
examining into the murder of James Brown, of
Frank lin county. After concluding his lnvesti-
cations General Whipple will report the result
to the Department commander, when there can
be no doubt whatever that in case the petition
and afiidavits are found to set forth the facts,
summary measures will be taken to protect
peaceable and law-abiding citizens from like
persecution in the future and that the work of
official decapitation win go on briskly for
time in Tennessee.
The petition of over eight hundred residents
OF Franklin county, accompanied by numerous
atfidavits, presented to the President by Mr..
Jesse Arlldge, a fe " nights ago, gives an alarm
ing description OF affairs IN Tennessee, and in
formation now in possession of the Government
proves beyond doubt that Tennessee is to-day
further behind in the work OF reconstruction
petition of the Tennesseeans concludes as fol-
lows
Your Excellency having been personally acquainted
loved rights, and how ealousy we guarded them,
all e6s %e We're oonent to besr our
wrongs in silence and we would not trouble your Ex
the iron heel Of despotism upon our necks may no
little properly. and although our history since the
war Is without reprosch. as we have have shown your your
tlon our loyalty, have orgenized band OF Teck,
Them loose do Their yin upon Ps Hs,0v we we
teTmined 10 do act that would afford them pre-.
text 20 ,wreak their malice upon us the officer In
nounced in most offensive that he had come
Us tor 10 ss Sd at Ss t@e we
more at large under Indictment for murder, and he
TO escape arrest upon an Indictment for murder
IN in S While he belonged the Rebel
army. Notwthstanding these facts 'o aud l. on the
received the murderer into his command. and he
peopIe We have been Informed and believe that the
parry anded 70 is one OF the ~ S P & men
that he is of the few men of whose character we
liking him with an iniamy that could dlslingush him
ss w haired oSarGs our S peOpe
pretending 10 be the guardians of the law, began
Ssr 6Oes and s Son seizure % proper
RSusss S seae ey @ SOCK as tho
property Of the United states Government; In the
u.s. and abused our wives and children and de-
TAKEN from our farms the means Of making their
perry SO taken to their own use. They maintain
the right to take the property OF our citizens with
impunity. They have Kept our community In con
by threatening the lives OF many OF our
tizeDs. They went to the house of one OF our ctt
zens in night time, end fired several shots at him,
and he saved his life only by flight They took an
other Quiet, law-abiding citizen from beside. his
wife and aged father tney tonk him 70 the woods and
shot him down like a dog These red-hRnded murder
ers are atill az large and are denouncng the most
terrible against all who question their pre-
roRatiVe 10 rob aud slay us at their WILL lmpoVe.
rished OF our people in that portion oI
our country have been forced to abandon thelr
houses and their growing crops In order 70 save
neople are filled with fear and apprehension; and,
Indeed SO absolute and complete Is the reign OF terror
Ihey have inaugurated, that many OF our people are
AFRAID with peaceably present our wrong
10 the consideration of your lxcellencY rms terrible
state Of beyond endurance, and lnaSmuch as
and set over by State authorities much as
IL Is our duty Chief Magistrate to see that the laws
are faithfully executed-inasmuch as we have the
rieht 10 peaceably assemble ourselves together TO
etton for redress OF our grievances, ana mas
Tnncn have abiding confidence IN your Sollcl-
nde for welfare and protection OF all lawaoding
czens without reference TO their Rntecedents, or
political sentiments we, theriore earnestly eptIeat
yonr EKcellency II you question either the pro-
1Tiety or expediency OF removing the lawless band
HWhch Is depressing that you will send to our coun.
" sufficient number of national troops TO project
o,Sr persons and property, and bring 10 punishment
III q fnuTderers OF our people.--M " Herald
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