The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1868-12-09

having refused TO recognize the authority OF the
District Commander, BECAUSE as the Governor
alleged, the reconstruction acts were unconstitu-
tional, General Meade removed the Governor aud
two other officers of the State Government, and
appointed officers of the army to their positions,
who continued to fulfill the duties with faithful
ness and efficiency until the qualification of State
officers elected under the new constitution which
was framed by the convention and ratified by the
people.
In Alabama, the constitution framed by the
Convention was submitted to the people, and al
though, in the opinion of General Meade, IL was
rejected by the people, it was adopted by Con-
gress.
In Florida, the Convention assembled. and,
after great deal of pickering aud dissension,
adopted constitution which was subsequently
ratified by the people of the State.
Congress having admitted the States of Georgia,
Alabama and Florida to representation in Con-
gress, orders were issued from headquarters of
the army, dared July 49, 1868, discoutinuing
the third military district, and assigning the
States composing 1t to the Department of the
South.
Fourth Military District-At the date of the last
annual report this district comprised the States Of
Arkansas and Mississippi, and was commanded
by Brcvet Maior-GCneral f.. .. G.. Ord, who was
relieved on the Sth day of January last bv Brevet
Major Avan c. Gillem. On the 18th of
July last, Arkansas having, in compliance with
tho Reconstruction acts adopted constitution
and been admitted to representation IN Congress,
was detached from the Fourth Military District
and attached to the Department OF Louisiana.
The state of Mississippi having rejected the con
sttution submitted by the Convention convened
under the Reconstruction acts is still retained as
n military district.
The citizens of the State of Mississippi have de-
voted themselves to repairing the losses resulting
from the war, and the following extract from the
report shows the present agricultural and finan-
cal condition of affairs in the State--
'"Ihanks to energy and industry, favored by
good season, an abundant crop of corn-mcre
than years supply, and by some estimated as
supply sufficient for two years-has been secured,
while the yield of cotton in the State is very great
estimated as high rs 800, 600 bales. At present
prices this will produce more than 1000, 600"
The civil courts have continued to dispense JUS
tice under the supervision of the military authori
ties, and there has been no necessity for the
use of the troops stationed in the State.
rim military DiStict.-This district, com
posed of the States of Louisiana and Texas at
the date of the last report under the Tempo
rary command of Brevet Major-General Mower,
until the arrival of Major-General Hancock on
the 29th of November last when that officer as
sumcd and exercised command until relieved on
the 2Sth of March, 1868, the command of the
Fifth Military District being dcvolvcd, first upon
Brevet Major-General Reynolds and subsequently
upon Breyet Major-General Buchanan.
The State of Louisiana having adopted q con-
stituton and been admitted to representation in
Congress, orders were issued from headquarters
of the army on the 2Sth of July, 1863, reducing
the Fifth Military District to the State of Texas,
and assigning Brevet Major-General j. j. Rey-
nOlds to the command.
General Reynolds reports the existence of
armed secret organizations in the State, the OBJ
ects of which seem to be to "disarm, rob, and in
many cases murder Union men and negroes, and,
occasion may offer, murder United States
officers and soldiers" "Ihe murder of negroes
| is so common as to render it impossible to keep
an accurate account of them" ''These organiza-
tions are evidently countenanced, at least not
discouraged, by majority of the white people in
the counties where the bands are most numerous.
They could not otherwise exist" "Free speech
am trnp tha to- Ily ndap-
stood in other States, have never existed in
Texas"
In consequence of this state of affairs, General
Reynolds has found it necessary to withdraw
troops from the frontier posts ito such an ex-
tent to impair their efficiency for protection
against Indians; but the bold wholesale murder
ing in the interior of the State seems at present to
present more urgent demand for troops than
Indian depredations."
DISCIPLINE OF THE ARMY.
During the short time Ihave had charge of the
War Department, it has been my constant aim to
systematically reduce the expenses of the depart
ment; to improve the discipline and efficiency of
the army; to prosecute such experiments in en-
gineering and ordnance, and to continue such in
struction of the Otfcrrs and men as necessary
to the perfection of our military establishment;
to give all needtul strength to the forces operat
ing against hostile Indians; and to give the great
est practicable assistance to the civil authorities
in the States where recently organized govern
mcnts need military support
The discipline of the army is believed to be
better than at any previous time since the late
war.
MILITARY AID TO STATE GOVERNMENTS.
The relation of the army to the civil authorities
in the States recently restored to civil govern
ment has been subject of no little perplexity.
While those governments were yet imperfectly
organized lacking to great extent the sympathy
and support of the most influential citizens with
ont organized police militia forces, without
arms and without money, and without even au-
thority of law to organize and arm militia, the
military government, which the people had
learned by more than three years experience to
rely upon for protection of life and property was
suddenly withdrawn. Immediately followed an
exciting political canvass, having for its alterna-
tive results, in popular expectation, the support
or overthrow of those newly-fOrmed govern
ments. The result has been unusual disposition
to lawlessness and crime, and comparative inefii-
cIency of civil government in those States.
The only laws of Congress providing for the
employment of the military force of the United
States in support of the government of any State
wtre passed IN the infancy of the Republic, with
jealous care to avoid undue interference by the
National Government in State affairs, and not de-
signed for such condition of society rs now
exists in the Southern States.
Hence with earnest desire to do all in the
power of the Executive to preserve peace in those
States and enable the people to fairly decide at
the polls the exciting questions involved in the
canvass, il has been found possible to attain these
objects only in an imperfect degree, but it s be-
leyed that considering the difficulties of the siu-
alton, there is abundant reason to be satisfied with
the comparative good order that has prevailed
throughout the country. The instructions Issued
from this department with the Presidents sane
ton, for the government of department com
manders and correspondence with those COM
maEders and Governors of States, are submitted