Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1868-01-30
THE RECONSTRUCTION BILL.

The new Reconstruction Bill recently passed by
one House of Congress, and awaiting the actor
of the other, provides: =.
Section l. That the existing provisional elvi
State Governments set up by President
.Johuson and so far left by Congress at the dscre
ton of the military commanders-in the ten unre
constructed Rebel States, shall not be recognized
by the Executive or judicial authorities Of the u
Sec. 9. That the General of the army Genera
Grant) shah have full and absolute authority II
the execution of the Reconstruction laws over each
and all the ten States embraced in the five South
ern Military Districts. -.
Sec 8. That the General of the Army, in hi
discretion, may remove and appoint the civil 9th
GERS in said States and the President shall not IN
tefere with him in these matters or in the appoint
ment of the military district commanders.
Sec. 4. That it shall be unlawful for the Presl
dent to order. the army or navy to the support
any existing provisional governmental said ten un
reconstructed States. =,
Sec S. That any interference by any persol
with intent to prevent the execution OF the 0rder'
of General Grant, under the law shall be held to Dt
high misdemeanor, subject to penalty OF tlvt
thousand dollars fine and two years imprisonment
As apropos to the above bill, and explaining, il
condensed logic, its monstrous features, we give
from the Baltimore Gazette, the following scene
enacted in the House just before its final adoption
by that body:
"Just before Mr.. Bingham, of Ohio, who re
ported the bill, rose to close the debate his col
league, Mr. Carey (Republican) propounded to hin
four questions, saying that upon the satlstactor.
character of Mr.. Bingham's replies would depent
his (Careys1 vote on the pending bill. Thes
questions were-lst. Ii General Grant should 1al
or refuse to execute this law, or should execute
in despotic and cruel manner, to what tribuna
would he be responsible for the non-feasance o
malfeasapce9 Cd, AS by the terms of the bill tn
President cannot interfere, can the General be tre'
by court martial, and II so, who can ORDER. ant
who shall constitute the Court? Sd, Not beng
civil officer, can be impeached, and II 50, by whom
and before what tribunal? 4th, Ii ne cannot b
arraigncd before any earthly tribunal, Is ne no
made an absolute despotF
These four inquiries, so simple in their nature
fell with decided effect upon the Radlcal SIDE o
the Hall, and Immediately Butler, Schenck,, Bout
we'll and others, rushed over to Bingham desk Z
prompt him in his replies but that gentleman
deemed it more prudent not to answer, and at ono
called the previous question, thus not only stop,
ping debate, but cutting OFT Ben. Butler amend
ment, which he so strenuously endeavored to ge
before the House, and which was intended to pas
the State Governments Of the South into the hand
of the Negro Conventions. These four inquiries b
Mr.. Carey should be published far and wide
They were propounded by Republican, and Wer e
not answered by Mr.. Bingham. They tell tn
whole story of to-day proceedings in few words
! and In words which cannot be misunderstood