The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1867-02-19


important events have transpired in Washing
ton. The House of Representatives passed Mr.
Stevens bill, by 100 to SIS, for placing the
Southern States under military government
1t is DOW before the Senate, and, unless action
is STAYED off for few days by dilatory motions,
will become law, and then the Southern peo-
pie are at the mercy of military commanders.
The following Is the Bill as it passed the
House:
A BILL to prori2e for the more efficient gov-
eminent Of the 'nsurrectionory States
Whereas. the pretended State governments of
the late SO called Confederate States of Virginia
North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Mis-
slssIppi, Alabama, Louisiana, Florida, Texas and
Arkansas were set up without the authority of
Congress and without the sanction of the people;
and whereas, said pretended governments afford
adequate protection for life property. but
countenance and encourage lawlessness and crime;
and whereas it Is necessary that peace and good
order should be enforced in said So called States
until loyal and republican State governments can
be legally established; therefore,
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Re-
representatives. of the United States of America in
Congress assembled, That said late so called
Confederate States shall be divided into military
districts and made subject to the military author
ity of the United States hereinafter prescribe d.
and for that purpose Virginia shall constitute the
first district; North Carolina and South Carolina
the second distrct Georgia. Alabama and Flor
ida the third district; Mississippi and Arkansas
the fourth district, and Louisiana and Texas the
fifth district
Sec. 2. And be it further enacted, That it shall
be the duty of the general of the army to assign
to the command of each of said districts officer
of the army, not below the rank of brigadier-
general, and to detail sufficient military force
TO enable such officer to perform his duties and
enforce his authority within the district to which
he is assigned.
Sec 3. And be it further enacted. That it shall
be the duty of each officer assigned as aforesaid
20 protect all persons in their rights of person
and property. to suppress insure ction, disorder
and violence. and to punish cause to be pun
ished, all diSturbers of the public peace and Grim
inals. and to this end he may allow local civil
tribunals to take juri sdcton of and to try often
ders, or when. in his Judgment, it may be neces-
sary for the trial of offenders he shall have power
to organize military commissions or tribunals for
that purpose, anything in the constitution and
laws of any of the called Confederate States to
the contrary notwithstanding; and all legislative
or Judicial proceedings processes to prevent or
control the proceedings of said military tribunals,
and all interference by said pretended State gov
ernments with the exercise of military authority
under this act, shall be void and of no effect.
Sec 4. And be it further enacted. That courts
and judicial officers of the United States shall
i'll military custody, except in cases in which the
person is held to answer only for crime or
crimes exclusively within the jurisdiction of the
Courts of the United States within said military
districts, and indctable therein, unless some
commissioned officer duty in the district
wherein the person is detained shall endorse upon
said petition statement certifying upon honor
that he has knowledge or information as to the
cause and circumstances of the alleged detention,
and that he believes the same to be wrongful;
and further. that he believes that the endorsed
petition is preferred in good faith and in further
ance of justice, and not TO hinder delay the
punishment of crime. All persons put under
military arrest, by virtue of this act shall be tried
without unnecessary delay. and no cruel or I'M
usual punishment shall be inflicted.
Sec ). And be it further enacted, That
tence Of any military commission tribunal
hereby authorized affecting the life or liberty of
any person shall be executed until it is approved
by the officer i'll command of the district; and the
laws and regulations for the government of the
army shall not be affected by this act, except in
80 far as they conflict with its provisions.