The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1870-01-20
THE REcoNsTRUcTIoN OF GEoRaIA.-HIsTo-
RY0F THE PRESENT TROUBLES.

THE RECONSTRUCTION OF GEoRaIA.-HIsTo-
RY0F THE PRESENT TROUBLES.
The Legislature of Georgia convened in Atlanta
on the 10Th instant, in obeuience TO the Governors
proclamation under the amended Reconstruction
law. Our exchanges from that State arc filed
with lengthy accounts Of the troubles experienced
in organizing the lower House, and it appears
that the Democrats and moderate Republicans
have coalesced for the purpose Of defeating the
extreme wing of the Radical party, led by GOV.
BULLOCK, FOSTER BLoDGErT and others. This
coalition is not formed on political principles, but
with the sole object of furthering the best inter-
ests of the State, without regard to parties. Gov
BULLOCK, backed by the military power of the
United States is determined to thwart the conser-
vative members in their intentions, and Is making
every effort to gain control of the House Of Rep
resentatives, so that his wing Of the Republican
party may shape future legislation, and hide the
rascality and venality of his administration for
there are grave charges against him OF robbery
and corruption, likely to bring about his iDpeach-
ment should the conservatives triumph in the
present emergency. His friends already govern
the Senate, and the desperate fight is over the or
ganization Of the lower House. The excitement
last week was unprecedented, and bloodshed ap-
peared to be imminent OF one time, though We are
glad 10 observe that wiser couusels prevailed and
order is somewhat restored
In order that our readers may be fully apprlsed
as to the details of these troubles, we append
synopsis of the letter recently addressed by Hon.
| ]. H. CALDWELL, Republican member of the House
of Representatives. to the Hon. JOHN A. BINGHAM,
member of Congress from Ohio, giving full ac-
count of the real causes of the difficulty in orga.
nizing the Legislature. Mr.. CALDWELL is mem
Der of the National Republican Executive Com
mittee, and also chairman of the subdivision OF
that committee for the Southern States, and we
have no doubt that his statements are to be relied
upon, as they are confirmed by the various ac-
counts in the newspapers
The question which divides and distracts the
Republicans of the House is no. political ques-
| tion not one of race or color, Nor question IN
yolving the rights of any class of persons as such
but one involving the conscience of honest men to
work for the interests of the State against cor
rupt faction, composed of a few individuals seek
ing TO entrench themselves in positions that will
| enable them 10 deplete the Treasury and ruin the
credit of the State. To accomplish their purposes
various devices were resorted to before the mem
bers convened Monday the 10th instant; and while
thew were attempting to organize, intimidated GER
tain members to deter them from taking the oath.
Among other things Col. Farrow, Attorney Gen.
eral was requested by Governor Bullock to give
written opinion Of the scope of the oath prescrib-
| ed in the last reconstruction act, which has no
| thor; fhon fha
private individual. One Of the difficulties which
arose in the House grew out of the attempt of the
Clerk pro tenn, to enforce the reading of Farrow's
opinion as an authoritative construction of the
oath. The reading was forced through in most
arbitrary. violent and disorderly manner, notwth-
standing the remonstrances of leading Republican
members.
Another difficulty grew out Of the appointment
| by the Governor Of one of his employees OF the
State Road-A. R. Harris-Clerk pro ten'., 70 or
ganize the House. This 'was deemed by some Re-
pubcans as o most arbitrary step. The only au-
thority the act of Congress gives the Governor is
| to summon members, by proclamation, to appear
on o certain day. This had been done and at the
| time appointed the representatives appeared IN
their hall. The Governors power over the organ
ization ceased when he had issued his proclama-
| tion and any attempt on his part Ito intmidate
members present from taking the oath prescribed
| is in violation of section five of the act
| Some members have been prevented, by the
publication of Farrow's opinion, from taking the
oath who could have done so very conscientously,
but were unwilling to place themselves in appnr-
eut conflict with the expressed opinion Of the au-
| thorities. or incur what has been threatened
against them if they should qualify harrassing
| criminal prosecution. One mer0bcT In particular
refused to- take the oath because he did not wish
to place himself in opposition to the opinion OF
| the Attorney General and Governor OF the State ;
vet he bad been staunch Union man oil through
the war, absolutely refusing 10 take any part in
the rebellion, but denouncing it all the time until
/ the Conscrpt law wss passed when he took refuge
in some small office from the direct physical force
with virich he was menaced by the Conscript off,
GERS. This man is now deprived of his seat by
the undue attempts which the Governor and his
subordinates have made to keep members from
taking the oath, and shat violation Of section
| FIVE Of The act.
| The late net Of Congress expressly provides
that when the members IRE convened the General
Assembly shall proceed to perfect its organization
The act does not specify the officer who is to pre-
side over the organization of either House. but each
member is to be sworn to support the Constitution
of the State, and, in addition thereto, to take, sub.
scribe and file in the Office Of the Secretary OF
State one of the oahs prescribed in the ect. The
Constitution which the members are sworn to sup
port adopts Irwin's Code as the law of the State.
The Code. sections one hundred npd sixty
and one hundred and seven, prescribed the man.
ner in which the General Assembly shall be orga-
nized.
The appointment Of Harris rs Clerk pro tenn, is
in violation of the Code as well the act of Con-
gress. Before Harris proceeded to call the roll
member rose and read two sections of the Code rela-
ting to the manner of organizing, bat Harris refus'
ed to hear him or entertain motion. Scott asked
to be allowed TO protest against the manner of
proceeding Harris told him he could not. When
the first member was sworn, another member sent
n protest against his taking seat. Harris per-
mittcd the protest to be received and read. While
Farrow's opinion was being read Bryant objected,
as il was intended to intimidate and disputed Har-
tlo nj