Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1870-01-19
GEORGIA.
The Story Of the Georgia ImbrOgIio BY a
Prominent Republican.

of the House of Representatives, and
a member of the National Republican
Executive Committee, and chairman
of the subdivision of that committee
in the Southern States, has written q
long letter to Hon. Mr.. Bingham,
member Of Congress from Ohio, Civ
ing q full account of the real causes Oi
the difficulty in organizing the GeOr-
gia Legislature. The following is a
synopsis of the letter in question:
That which divides and distraots
the Republicans in the House IS not q
political question, not race OF color,
nor question involving the rights OF
any class Of persons, but it is one In
VOlving the COnsciences Of honest men
who work for the interests Of the
State against corrupt faction COM
posed OF a few individuals who are
seekingtO entrench themselves into pO-
sitiOns that viii enable them 10 depiete
the Treasury and ruin the credit OF
the State. To accomplish these pur-
poses, various devices were resOrted
10 before the members convened on
Monday, 10th instant, and while they
were attempting to organize, and in
timidate certain members 10 deter
them from taking the oath. Among
other things, Col. Farrow, the AttOr-
ney-General, at the request Of the
Governor, had given his witt
ten opinion on the scope Of
the oath prescribed by the last recon-
structiOn act, which we ought no more
90 take for authority than the opinion
Of any private individual. One of the
difficulties which rose in the House
grew out Of 80 attempt Of the clerk
pro. TEN. TO enforce the reading Of
Farrow's opinion as authOraEiye on
the reconstruction oath. The reading
was forced through, and was most ar
bitrary and in a violent and disOrderly
manner, notwithstanding the remOn-
strances of Iea.iiug Republican mem
bers. Another difficulty grew out Of
the aupOiutment by the Governor OF
one Of his employees on the State road,
a. L. Harris, clerk pro teu;, 70 Or
ganize the House. Il-s vas deemed
by some Republicans as q most aIGi-
trary stey. The only authority the
act of Congress gives the Governor IS
to summon the members by procld-
nation TO appear on certain day
Aul1 UssA bEGA ADAt1 ltiA a. ~AC
time appointed the Representa-
tive5 appeared at their hail.
The Governors power over the
organization ceased when he had
issued Ris proclamation, and any at
tempt on his part &c iEIimldate the
membe present from taking the oath
prescribed Is a violation Of section five
If the act. Some members have been
prpgeut2a by the publication OF Far
rows opiatuE from taking the Oath
who could have gone 50 very con-
s.iertiOusiy but were unwilling 70
place themselves in apparent Conflict
with the expressed opinion, or to au
thOrize or incur what had been threat
ened against them II they should
qualify, a narrowing, acrImOniRi pEOse-
cution. One member particularly re-
fused to take the oath because he did
not wish 10 place himself IN opposition
10 the opinion Of the AttOrney-Gene-
raj and the Governor OF the State, yet
ne had been = stauuch Union man all
through the war, absolutely refusing
TO take any part in the rebellion, de-
nouncipg il at all times until the con-
script ACT passed, when he took refuge
in some small Office from direct physi-
cal force, with which he was menaced
BY the c0uscript officers, ana fer this he
is now deprived OF q seat by the an
due attempts which the Governor and
his subOrdinate5 have made 70 keep
n,embers from taking the oath, and
that n violation Of section of the act.
The Sfste act Of Congress expressly
uroyidas tS8t when members are con-
yepel. the General Assembly will
proceed 10 perfect an organization.
'Cha net does not specify the officer
who shal preside over the organlza-
ton Of either House, but that each
member sworn ia shall support the
Constitution Of the State, and in addi-
ton thereto take and subscribe, and
fIe ia the Office of The Secretary OF
State, one Of the oaths prescribed in
*ae act and thG Constitution, which
~cSers are sworn tO support, and
ne. ~Irvin's Code as the law of the
.dOpfs Sections 100 and 40 OF the
states. ~saz the manner il which
ode prescn SADLY shall be organ
he General Ass %EsDept OF Harris,
zed. The appOI- Nes - vi2la-
s clerk pro teRpOre, i the sct
ion of the Code al ~cocesdgd
f Congress. Before Harris = read
o call the roll a member rose an,- 70
wO sections OF the code relating
he manner Of organizing, bat Harris
5iUSed to hear him, or entertain the
action Of Mr.. Scott, who asked TO be
lowed TO protest against the manner
{ the proceedings. Harris told him !
e could not allow it. When the
rst member was sworn in another
1ember sent protest against his
3king a seat. Harris permitted the
rOtest, which WAS received and read.
While EarrOw's opinion was being
cad, Bryant objected, as it was in
ended to intimidate, and disputed
nth Harris his right to preside. Har-
Is ordered the SergGant-at-Arms to
rrest Bryant. This brought on the
in the House, and several
istOls were drawn by the Sergeant
farms aud Others against Bryant;
le latter called Caldwell to take the
lair, ana organize the House &C
Drding 70 tho provisions Of the co ie.
.ccoInpanied by Bryant, Caldwell APP
reached the Speakers desk, but was
sisted and threatened by the Ser
and Harris declined to
Z Is Speaker pro tenn. Bryant
as then chosen Speaker pro TEN. and
ut motion 70 adjourn, which was
srried, but requested the members to
smain. A committee Waited Ou Gen.
erry 70 inquire II the manner of the
roceeding. met with his approval
lie disapprOved the reading sf Far
lW's opinion and the protests against |
lembegs taking their seats. Harris
Fused to hear the report of the com
littee. At the request of Gen. Terry
he members consented to let Harris
rOceed with the organ lxatiOn since no
lember objected 70 anything be done. |
Le refused to allow m8mbers to quail
y who had not been present when !
le counties were called. Some were
etained at home by Providential
laSes, but presented themselves be-
,re the roll call was completed.
The object Of these arbitrary pro-
eeding5 is to force out OF their seats
ertain members, who pr onally,
.ght or wrong, feel they Can Goa
take the oath. Harris,
nder the Governors instruction, ad-
Durns the House whenever he pleasss,
1ithOut any motion from the mem
er5.
The House yesterday adjourned IN
Il Monday, the object OF which was
D inquire, by military commission,
lto the alleged ineligibility OF GER
ain members who had taken the
ath, There Is no provision in the
aw for any such inqUisition. The law
we such members as qualify the sole