Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1870-02-19
SATRAP REYNOLDS FIXING UP

It was understood for two OF three
months previous to the late election in
Texas, that Gen. Reynolds was manipu-
lating his satfapy so as 70 secure 4 Legs
lature favorable to his election as one OF
the United States Senators from that
State when it shall be admitted into the
Union. The Legislature elected was
rather doubtful on Che Reynolds question,
but the intelligence from Austin shows
that the Satrap is following the example
set by Terry in Georgia, in order TO re-
move all opposition to the accomplish
ment of his ambitious purposes. The
president of the Senate has been ousted,
and Messrs. Pelate and Adams, Conserva-
tive members of the House, have been de-
clared ineligible, expelled from seats
in that body, and their places
supplied by unadulterated Radicals
who viii vote right From this prompt
action it will be seen thi,t the Texan
Satrap has even improved upon the
method inaugurated in Georgia Terry
thought it necessary to submit the ques-
tion of the eligibility of members of the
Legislature to a court of inquiry, COM
posed of army, officers, who went through
the form of examination in esch case, and
reported the result of their investigations
to him. But Reynolds wastes no time in
such useless ceremony; he simply counts
Legislative noses, ascertains how many
Conservatives require to be kicked out in
order to obtain the proper Radical ma
jority, gives them notice to quit accord
ingly, and the work is done. The st.
Louis Repu5licon says it likes the
Reynolds plan much better than
the other, because there is less
sham and nonsense about it, and because
it evidences on the part of Reynolds
clear comprehension of The true spirit and
meaning of reconstruction as lately inter
preted by the administration. The papers
sent to the Senate by President Grant on
the 18th inst. declare on the authority of
the Attorney General that Terry is 'the
only power in Georgia other than that re-
served by Congress" Neither Gov. Bull
lock nor the Legislature can have the
slightest instrumentality in the manage
ment of affairs, except so far as they are
permitted by Terry. He is the autocrat
supreme and unQuestioned save by his
masters at Washington. OF course, says
the Republican, the same autocracy
which prevails in Georgia applies
also to Texas, and therefore Gen.
Reynolds may continue TO illustrate the
beauties Of reconstruction within the
boundaries Of his department without let
or hindrance. Criticism may, however,
be permissib,y on one point The entire
authority, civil and military, being vested
in the hands Of the Sstrap, why is it ne
cessary to continue the farce of a Legisla-
tue and State officials The Satrap
furnishes the ideas which he wishes en-
bodied into laws, and then gives those
laws his sanction-why not, then, avoid
delay and expense in the restoration
of the Union by abOlishing these
needless accessories and issuing q
military order covering any emergency
that may arise? For instance, if Gen.
Reynolds wishes TO go to the Senate and
take q friend with him, mere proclama-
ton written byhis aid-de-camp and signed
by himself declaring that the two gentle
men are the unanimous choice of the PEG
pie of Texas for the position mentioned,
viii answer every purpose and be quite as
fair and honorable as the election system
now in vogue in that State and Georgia.
With this single improvement we think
reconstruction viii have been reduced 20
a science, and stand forth as the consum-
nation of free and enlightened govern
ment through all coming ages.