The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1867-05-25
The Military Government Act
.... AND THE
Constitutional Amendment.


The military government bill which
passed Congress over the veto of the
President, having become the law of
the land, we publish it below, together
with the pending constitutional amend
ment: -..H.
WHEREAS, No legal State govern
ments or adequate protection for life
or property now exist in the rebel
States of Virginia, North Carolina,
South Carolina, Georgia, Mississippi,
Alabama, Louisiana, Florida, Texas
and Arkansas; and whereas, it is nee
essary that peace and good order
should be enforced in said States until
loyal and republican State govern
ments can be legally established !;
therefore, } '... '....."
Be 1t enacted By the Senate and
House Of Representatives of the United
States Of America IN Congress assem-
bted, That said rebel States shall be
divided into military districts, and
made subject to the military authority
of the United States, as hereinafter
described. and for that purpose Vir-
ginia shall constitute the first district;
North and South Carolina the second
district; Georgia, Alabama and Flori-
da the third district; Mississippi and
Arkansas the fourth district; and
Louisiana and Texas the fifth district.
SEC. 2. And be 1t further enacted,
That it shall be the duty of the Presi-
dent to assign to the command of each
of said districts an officer of the army
not below the rank of brigadier gener-
al, and to detail a sufficient military
force to enable such officer to perform
his duties and enforce his authority
within the district to which he is as
signed. ... ...a... .............
SEC. 3. Ind be 1t further enacted,
That it shall be the duty of each officer
assigned as aforesaid to protect all
persons in their rights Of person and
property, to suppress insurrection,
disorder and violence, and to punish,
or cause to be punished, all disturbers
of the pnblic peace, and criminals
and to this end he may allow local civil
tribunals to take jurisdiction of and to
try offenders or, when in his iudg-
ment it may be necessary for the trial
of offenders, he shall have power to
organize military commissions OF tri-
bunals for that purpose and all inter-
ference under color of State authority
with the exercise of military authority
under this act, shall be null and void.
Sec. 4. And be 1t further enacted,
That all persons put under military
arrest by virtue of this act shall be
tried without unnecessary delay, and
no cruel or unnecessary punishment
shall be inflicted, and no sentence OF
any military commission or tribuna
hereby authorized, affecting the life OF
liberty of any person, shall be exc
cuted Until it is approved by the officer
in command of the district; and the
laws and regulations for the govern.
ment of the army shall not be affected
| by this act except in SO far as they
conflict with its provisions; ProUided
That no sentence of death under this
act shall be carried into effect without
the approval of the President.
Sec. 5. And be 1t further enacted
That when the people of any of sale
rebel States shall have formed +,
constitution of government in con
fornity with the Constitution of th,
United States in all respects, framed
by convention of delegates elected
by the male citizens of said Stat,
twenty-one years old and upward, o
whatever race or color, or previous con
dition, who have been resident in saiC
State for one year previous to the day
of such election, except such as may
be disfranchised for participation il
) the rebellion or for felony at common
law, and when such constitution shal
. Iprovide that the elective franchise shal