Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1871-12-13

Of the COMBINATIONS to disperse
within five days, and to deliver to the mar
shal or military officer OF the United States
all arms, ammunition, uniforms, DISCUS 5
and other means and Implements used by
them for carrying out their unlawful pur-
poses. This warning not having been
needed, on the 18th of October another
proclamation was issued suspending the
privilege of the writ of habeas corpus in
nine counties in that State.
Direction was given that within the
counties so designated persons supposed,
upon creditable information, to be menu
beers of such unlawful combinations should
be arrested by the military forces of the
United States and delivered to the Marshal,
to be dealt with according to law. In two
of said counties--Iork and Spartanburg
many arrests have been made. At last
accounts the number of persons thus ar
rested were one hundred and siXty-eight.
Several hundred, whose crimihality was
ascertained to be of an inferior degree,
were released for the present. These have
generally made confessions of their guilt.
Great caution has been exercised in max
ing test arrests, and, Notwithstanding the
large number, it is believed that no inno-
cent person is now in custody. The prison.
ers will be held for regular trial in the ju-
dicial tribunals of the United States.
As soon as it appeared that the authori-
ties of the United States We're about to
take vigorous measures to enforce the law,
many persons absconded, and there is good
ground for surprising that all such persons
have violated the law, A full report of
what has been done under this law will be
submitted to Congress by the Attorney
General.
POLITICAL DISABILITIES.
More than six years having elapsed
since the last hostile gun was fired be-
tween the armies then arrayed against
each other--one for the perpetuation, and
the other for the destruction of the Union,
it may be well considered whether it is
not time that the disabilities imposed by
| the Fourteenth Amendment should be re-
moved that the amendment does not eX-
clude the ballot, but only requires the disa-
bility to hold Office of certain classes,
when the purity of the ballot and secure
majorities are sure to elect officers reflect
| ing the views of the majority. do not
see the advantage or propriety of eXclud-
! ing men from office merely. They We're
! before the rebellion, men of standing ant
| character sufficient to he elected to posi-
! tons requiring them to take an oath tC
support the Constitution, and admitting
| to eligibility those entertaining the same
views, but of less standing in their com
munites. 1t may be said the former VIC
The latter did not have it in their power t
do so. If they had taken this oath it can
not be doubted they would have broken i
as did the former class. If there are any
greater criminals distinguished above al
others for the part they took in opposition
to the Government, they might, in tn
judgment of Congress be excluded from
such an amnesty. This subject is sub
mitted for your careful consideration.
The condition of the Southern State
are, unhappily, not such as all true, patri
otto citizens would like to see. Social Os
tracism for opinions sake, personal VIC
lence or threats towards persons entertain
ing political views opposed to those enter
tanned by the majority of the old citizen
prevents immigration and the flow {
much needed capital into the States latel
in rebellion. 1t will be happy condition
of the country when the old citizens G
these States VIII take an interest in publ
affairs and prOmulgate ideas honestly en-
tertained, vote for men representing thei
views and permit the same freedom of eX
preston and ballot in those entertainin
different political convictions.
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM.
In my message to Congress one yearagC
/ urgently recommended reform i'll tn
civil service of the country in conformit
with that recommendation. Congress, il
the 9th section of an act making apprC
priations for sundry civil expenses of tn
government, and for other purposes, az
, proved March Sd, 1871, gave the necessa
ry authority to the Executive to inaugu
rate civil service reform, and placed upo
the responsibility of doing so under the au
thority of said law. L convened board {
gentlemen eminently qualified for tn
work, to devise rules and regulations to ei
feet the needed reform. Their labors ar
not yet complete, but it is believed tina
they will succeed in devising aplan whic
can be adapted to the great relief of tn
Executive, the heads of departments an
members of Congress, and which will re
dound to the truelinterest of the publ
service. At all events, the experiment
shall have a fair trial, ....I .aHH %. 81