New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-01-19
THE SITUATION IN GEORGIA..
GEN. suERMAE's VIEWS on AFFAIRS IN THAT
STATE.


GIN. suERMAE's VIEWS on AFFAIRS IN THAT
STATE.
WASHINGTON, Tuesday, Jan. 49,
Your correspondent in an interview with Cen sher-
man. gathered the following explanation OF affairs IN
Georgia. which puts the matter in qute different light
from the reports Of the Associated Press The General
said that the dispatch published that Gen. Terry had
con ycucd a Court Martial to try the members Of the
Legislature was absurd. lie has merely convened
a Board Of three Of his officers, who
aiming the eases OF tho members Of tho
LEGISLATURE and other elected officers, WHO may
be DISQUALIFIED from holding Office under the Fourteenth
Amendment and the Reconstruction acts. Gen. Terry
could have convened three citizens II he had 50 chosen,
but he justly thought that three Of his officers would
fairly hear the evidence and report TO him the several
cases for his final action That action viii but be dis
mssal from the Legislature or other Office,
but Gen. Terry viii act advisory
party TO those who may be deemed disquaii-
lied. IL Is not certain that reelection VIII
De ordered Of persons elected 10 Office who are
DISQUALIFIED Gen Terry has no power to arrest and try
members of the Legislature who, II may be alleged may
or have subscribed 10 the oath by perjury They Will
have he tried by the evil courts. The leeonsructon
laws observed in Georgia NJ TO the hour when the
Legislature deprived certain parties OF ter seats by
reason Of race and color. Up TO that hour all
their acts were legal and binding including the ecc
top OF the United States Senator'S The act lately passed
by Congress- aud under which are now acting, is sun
DIV ameudatory OF the Reconstruction laws, 50 far as
Georgia is concerned. and the duty OF Gen. Terry Is sin
ply 30 carry ont The amcrdaoIy acts ia Is opinion al
the legislature can do is commence TO do right where
they left OF aud commenced doing wrong. Al laws they
passed previous to that hold good unless repealed
ia the regular way. And as for the Senator'S they clearly
cannot auuul the election ~ those whom they elected ana
who now mold the proper certificates before they violated
the Reconstruction laws. IN word, the present Senators
Jold good as do an the laws c states that Gen Terry
q. Hf. .trfr IL mil
fairly and his instructions linn 10 study the law
ard ac' upou IFS literal sense 0nd meaning Gen. Terry
Will not have anything 10 do with the pmt!.an squabues
there and he has 80 Informed numerous parties VINO nave
tried TO enlist him their particular side. II the Legs
lature have quorum, they can 90 on ana pass the
Fifteenth Amendment. &c. aud soon 30 admitted
INTO tho Union Of States. Cen sherman further said as
oou a. ne discovered an officer of tho Army mixing IN
politics. running Tor political Chcc, OF using MS Ml''
once for that purpose expect hn 10 resign lie otei
an instance u officer running Tor "tco N virginia
winch Le said atteudCn e. 10 once aud remarked II
Gen Ames is a candidate FOR Senator IN Mississippi he
was not olecially OF d, and he would certainly
attend TO tho matter when he WAS in possession
# the proper facts. lie then declared, Win
some degree ofa warmth, that no was pioud
II tho officers Of Tho army. who had the responsible Try
np and delicate duties 20 perform IN Tie sJnn, under
the Reconstruction acts and caued that there was not
QUO Of them as yet, who had not shown great degree
If satisfaction when they ordered % turn over tho
control Of the states to the civil authorities ana thus
surrender the apOwerfu sccptc, as it were mat tho
Reconstruction acts had placed IN their haAHs'
Ito said tho only fear l. that when tue military
mower is withdrawn the civil JuIies VIII not DO her
duties honestly; but IL not according to the genius OF
our country that we should have continuance oil mill
tary government any state and hence the desire 10
yc them all chance. The troops however, viii not be
Withdrawn from The Southern states rot scy t" t',
COME Ihey VIII be necessary. perhaps {" ana ihiltd
States Marshais and the Eo'onac officers