The Van Buren press., 1867-04-12
From Washington.
WASHINGTON, April I.

II is in contemplation by several promi-
nent Southern meH now in Washington,
assisted by eminent legal advisers, to test
the constitutionalty Of the Military
Reconstruction Act by bringing an issue
directly before the Supreme Court. The
proper documents have already been
drawn up and have been duly signed by
the petitioners, praying an injunction
against Gen. Pope, commanding one OF
the Southern military districts, and
against Andrew Johnson, rs a citizen OF
Tennessee, the President of the United
States, restraining them from enforcing
said act on the ground that it is uncon-
stitutional, and therefore void and OF no
effect. ....- ..It
Reverdy Johnson maintains that the
motion for an injunction will be denied
at once, on the ground that the Supreme
Court has no jurisdiction in such case.
In his opinion the case will have to come
up from low tribunal on appeal, before
the highest court on the land can take
cognizance of it.
A lotter from the wife of distinguish
cd army officer at St Louis, received here,
confirms the report of the capture Of Fort
Buford at the mouth of the Yellow Stone
river. Col. Rankin, his wife, children and
the whole garrison, in all 50 souls, were
slaughtered. Col Rankin had represented
for fully months his Inability to resist
prolonged attack by the force the Indians
brought against him and the position.--
Private letters say he anticipated his fate
and made good his promise to friends
that he would defend the position to the
last man. lie rcpulscd with his small
force attacks of 1900 or 5000 Indians,
killing 800 and wounding over 1000 be.
fore he was overwhelmed
1t is generally supposed that Col Ran
kin shot his wife to prevent her falling
into the hands of the Indians.
WASHINGTON, April 2.
The Connecticut election oyershadows
everything else ofpublc interest here.
The Mtelligencer looks upon it as the
turning Of the political tide. The Chroni
Gle says the lesson it teaches will not be
lost upon the Republican party and de-
clares that the Congressional loss will be
made up in Tennessee in August.
Quite a number of gentlemen called Oh
the President to-day and congratulated
him on the result.
Gov. Humphrey, of Mississippi, has
given his assent to the plan to test before
the Supreme Court the Ccnstitutionality
of the Reconstruction act. 1t will take
some days to prepare the case. The au-
thorities cited in the brief already pre-
pared are numerous. s.t.
New YORK, April l.
Adispatch has been received from Gov.
Throckmorton, OF Texas, to the effect
that the State will Immediately reorgan-
ize under the Reconstruction act. ,f..
KENosHA, Wis, April 2.
At the city election to- day, NJ H. Pet
tit { Republican, was elected Mayor
ST. PAUL, MINI, April 2.
The Democratic city ticket has been
elected by about 1000 majority.
MEMPHIS, April /,
FIX Confederate General Smith p.
Bankhead, lately City Attorney, was as
saulted by an unknown assassin on Satur-
day night and beaten to death Suspicion
points to policeman lately discharged
at his request.
LEAvENwoRrH, April l.
The municipal election in this city to-
day resulted in the complete victory of
the anti Radical ticket There were two
: Radical tickets in the field one of which
was withdrawn this morning for the pur.
; pose, ifpossble, of defeating the anti
Radical nominees.
The Radical ranks here are broken and
demoralized, eliminating and recriminat-
ing in the matter Of the rich harvests oi
spoilS which is said to have been reaped
during the Proclamation of the Radical
faction. ,..,.-.
The anti Radical Mayor elect is Maj
John A. Holderman. The defeated Radi
cal candidate is VIM. III. Rolston.
,, MADISON, Wis. April 2.
At the charter election the Democratic
ticket was elected by two hundred and
fifty majority. Hon. A. $. Sanborn was
9 elected Mayor ~ -. I. f.
MILWAUKEE, April =.
The municipal election to-day resulted
in the election of the Democratic ticket
by fifteen hundred majority. Hon. f.
, O'Neil was elected Mayor.
An Order from Gen. Ord.
, The following is the order from Gen. ORR
military commander of this District under