The national Republican. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1866-1870, 1868-05-09


psp'T GronoIA FLORIDA, a ALABAMA,
ATLANTA, GA, April 7, 1868.
General Ordeys, No D. ,,
The attention Of the major general COM
m.nding has been called to the extraordinary
course Of First Lieutenant Charles 7. John
son, 18th regiment Infantry, which he deems
so important rs to justify comment In this
public manner.
The facts Of the osss are, that Lieutenant
johnson, differing in opinion with Judgs b.
T. Pope, Of the Circuit Court Of Calhoun
county, Alabsma, as to the proper oonstrue.
tion Of General Orders Nos. So and S. Of 1857
--aftsr indicating to Judge Pope his views,
and tho Judge failing to comply thsrewith,
proceeded to close the court, arrested the
Judge and ascertaining that the clerk Of the
court did not agree In his views, although no
also. Lisutsnsnt johnson herein committed
two grave errors. In the frst place. had the
Judge violated General Orders s. and So there
was no warrant or authority for his arrest By
Lieutenant johnson. The power Of closing
courts and arrssting judges 10 vested alone In
the commanding general Of the Sd military
district, and has not been delegated, BY any
orders, to any subordinate omeer. On the
contrary, paragraph J., General orders No. 4,
series Of 1867, while II requires Subordinate
ofhcers to report all failures Of the civil On.
Cgrb UT trluuuhlS W rsooof S4uea JNsssov " nv
people, expressly declares said civil On.
GERS and tribunals are not to Be intsrfsfsd
with 10 tho discharge Of their duties. Lieu.
tenant johnson should have confined himself
to calling on judge Pope for explanation, and
reporting the facts to these headquarters. His
assumption OF authority to arrest 10 deserving
Of the severest csnsurs, and 10 justiAsd or
pslliatsd BY his seal or conscientious dssifslto
do his duty, both Of which the eomnanaing
general 10 willing to admit.
In the second place Lisutsusut Johnson erred
In judgment, his construction Of General
Orders So and s. not being eorrset and 90 isr
a. the commanding general oan judge from
the corrsspondencs submitted the eoastruetion
Of Judge Pope was such a. has been given ct
these headquarters. The oeDsot Of General
Orders Nos. So and IS was not to declare, -
seems to be Lieutenant Johnson's opinion,
that all juries must DO In part composed Of
colorsd men, and that no jury was legal unless
oolored mon were smpsnsllsd. The object
move the distinction which the laws Of the
States in this district made on the ground Of
color, and TO the qualifications for Jurors re-
quired by the statute, the additional one that
all jurors should be registered voters. II doss
not appear from the papers submitted that
Judge Pope declined obedience to these orders
a. thus construed, or that his course wAs in
conflict herewith. The commanding general
trusts this public disapprsval Of the oonduct
Of Lieutenant Johnson viii have the eject 10
render oil subordinate ofhesss sautious, and TO
Of power which 10 only vested BY Law in the
highest military officer in the district
By order Of Major General Meade.
ST. BARsrow. A. A. A. @.
HEADq'Rs THIRD MuIrAsY DIsr Riot. !
dept. Georgia, Florida, and Alabama,)
ATLANTA, Ga, April Q, 1868. }
General Ordsys, No. IS.
That fairness and iGpsrtisiity may BE- -
cured In the coming elections In Gsorsia and
Florida, IL 10 ordered
I. That the ballot. boxes shall not BE- opened
or the vote, counted, nor shall any Informs
tion be given OF the progress Of the election,
till the polls arc finally closed.
II. The polls being finally closed, the board
Of managers she'll select two uen Of character
and standing from the opposite party, who
shall be permitted 10 b present at the opening
Of the baliot.boxss and the counting Of tho
ballots, so ITO witness and verify such count
ing.
By order Of M,jor General Meade.
8. =. BARsrow,
Acting Assistant Adjutsut General.
HEAD'qRs THIRD MILITARY D,srRIcr, }
DEPT GEORGIA, FLORIDA, 4 ALABAMA,
ATLANTA, GA, April Z, 1868. }
General Orders, No. 81.
Tho commanding officer sub. district Of
Georgia will proceed to distribute the troops
under his command In such manner a. will, In
hi, judgment, best subssrvs the purpose Of
preserving order during the coming election.
The Quartermaster's Department will fur.
nish the necessary transportation. and the
troops sent to stations not now occupied will
DO furnished with camp equipase in all cases
whore satisfactory Information has not been
obtained before their department that suitable
quarters can be procured.
By order Of Major General Meade,
81 BARsrow, A. A. A. @.
HEApQ'cs THIRD MILITARY DIsfRIcrl