The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-06-04
MISCELLANEOUS WASHINGTON NEWS.
Important Communication from General
SchOficld Relative the Pending Coustitu-
tiOnal Amendment.

Important Communication from General
SchofcId Relative the Pending Coustitu-
tiOnaI Amendment.
The Secretary OF War sent TO the House to-day the
communication which he addressed, as commander
Of the First Military district to General Grant saying
he transmitted it at the suggestion OF the General Of
the Army for the consideration OF the proper commit
tee. The following is the document
HEADQUARTERS FIRST MILITARY DISTRICT
RICHMOND, Va May 10, 1868. !
GENERAL have the honor 10 invite your atten-
ton TO matter which understand TO be of great
importance, and which. if am correct, VIII demand
the early attention OF Congress. ! suppose the
amendment To the constitution Of the United States
passed by the Thirtynnth Congress and known as
article fourteen will soon be declared TO have been
tuition, and l understand the effect Will be
10 at once remove from Office all persons who are
disqualified by that amendment. II am right in the
above srppositon and In my understanding OF the
effect OF the proposed amendment 1t becomes a
matter OF great importance TO determine what Is TO
be done I'm those states whose governments still
provisional only" In the States which shall have
been readmitted to representation in Congress no
that in those States the only disqualiica-
ton for Office will be that contained IN the
constitutional amendment, and hence an ample
to fill all the vacant Offices except, perhaps,
the higher judgeships but in the States not read
mitted TO representation the oath prescribed by the
act Of Congress OF July , 1862 will stu he required
of all persons elected or appointed to AN ONCE.
number of officers Of the various grades In
Virginia who will I've displaced nv operation of
the constitutional amendment, and viii forward the
specific information when obtained For the present
j can only state that the number will probably be
several thousand, and that only a small proportion
OF the vacancies thus created can possibly bc led
hy persons possessing the necessary qualifica-
tions, including ability To take the present test
OATH In the judiciary department. Ia dis
pense with the test oath, even. would prob.
ably he insufficient, for nearly all lawyers
or sufficient experience TO tit them for the bench
m nj md banee liz
qualified by the constitutional amendment. I have
already appointed IN Virginia nearly five hundred
fed persons could be found. N - imporfant
TO observe that the large majority of city,
town and county officers receive little or no
compensation for their services Hence men VINO
possess the necessary qualifications cannot he In
duced TO accept such offices except In the plac
were they reside and own property have substan-
tial interests Reports have been received from
several portions OF the State that persons can be
found even 10 ill vacancies that exist. When
the constitutional amendment takes effect large
number OF important offices must become vacant
and remain so until restoration Is compctcd uniess
some relief is Afforded 10y Congress-
Very respectfully your obedient servant
J. NJ. sCII0FIELD.
Bill Ia Admit Five Of the southern states Ia
Representation.
The following Is the hill to admit North Carolina
south Carolina. Louisiana. Georgia and Florlda:-
An act to admit the states Of North Carolina soutb
Carolina Louisiana, Georgia and Florida 10 repre-
sentation IN Congress.
Whereas the people of North Carolina South
Carolina. LOUISIANA, Georgia and Florida have i'm
pursuance OF the provisions of entitled .'An
statcs- passed March . 1857. and the acts suppe.
mentary thereto, fame, constitutions and state gov.
einments which are republican In form ami have
adopted said constitutions by large maorties of
votes cast at the elections held for the ratification or
rejection of the same,
Therefore lie it enacted by the Senate and House OF
Representatives Of the United States OF America In
Congress assembled That each of the States OF North
Carolina South Carolina, Louisiana, Georgia and
q I'M ted tn rpf,