The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1867-06-19
THE POWER OF RELiOVAL,

:. The most exciting topic Of discussion, Gmong
the politicians and newspa for the past week,
has been the rcrno7alof civil officers BY the militia
ry commanders. The action Of SnKRrrAS in-re-
moving the Governor and other officers in Louisi-
.ana has given rise to much of this discussion.
Every day the telegraph brings an epitome of the
opinions expressed ontthis subject, and of course
the President is not exempted from an opportunity
SO favorable to show his antagonisn to- the policy
pursued: by the military The question has been
before lis Cabinet, and the Attorney General has
prepared an opinion respecting the powers Of the
military and civil authorities respectively The
National Intelligcncer, which is now regarded US
the Executive organ has the following:
.We have authority for the statement that at q
very recent consultation of the Cabinet that the
military officers in command of7thc9 five districts
into which the ten nunreconstructed Southern States
arc divided have no power to remove civil officers
deriving, their authority from the State govern
7ments as now organized The question, we under
stand, before the Cabinet had more immediate re-
ference to the removal of the Governor and other
civil officers of Louisiana by General Sheridan, but
of course viii apply to the action of the other four
commanders. No .doubt-the forthcoming opinion
1of the Attorney General; in accordance with. the
reasoning of which it is understood the decision
referred to wns arrived at will fully justify the le
.gality and propriety of this determination. 1t
scarcely need be suggested that the issuing of or
ders replacing the deposcd officers (Which may be-
come necessary as q consequence of the decision of
r. !N/.- =
cation on the part of General Sheridan TO be re-
lieved from the position which he occupies. Much
less.would it warrant the Inference that the ad-
1ninistration contepplates or desires his removal
for his errors: ...-.
s'We feel authorized to say that the specuations
of sensational journals upon this point, however
they may be,attempted2 to be supported by imaginl
scd political manoavrese on the part either the
friends enemies of the general, are wholly with
out foundation.',i 5s rs ~,
The annexed dispatch from Washington has re-
ference tothe opinion referred to above, and idi-
Gates q conflict of much importance on this sub
ject: = - 81 ...ls. I
SIT is understood in official circles that thesAt-
torney- General, in his opinion just prepared, holds
that the reconstruction Acts provide for two gov;
crnmcnss-military and civil that both me pro-
visional and to be obcyed but to cease when the
reorganization of the State Governments; takes
place He also takes the position that the military
is only toprotect all in their rights of personal
property and for the preservation If order and the
s,pprsssiono Of violence and crime. There is no
authority in the law for rerhoyals by the military
commander, Of the proner officers of the State,
neither executive nor judicial, or the appointment
of their successors. The military commander is
not authorized to destroy, but is bound to protect,
civil officcrs-a military commander being regard
cd conservation Of the peace, and not an abroga-
tor Of the laws