The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1874-12-17
OOSoErssIovA1 ISvEsTIeAr1ox ASKED.

Possibly congress may find it due to truth
and justice to ascertain by means OF commit
tee, whether the alleged wrongs TO colored
citizens for political purposes are real or the
I reports ths reOf we're mauuf actured for the
occasion The whole mum er OF troops in the
| states OF Louisiana, Alabama, Georgia, Flor
ida, South Carolina, North Carclina. Kentucky.
| tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi Maryland
| snd Virginia, at the time of the election, was
] 4,Oo2 This embraces the gsrrisons OF sn the
forts from the Delaware to the Gulf Of
| Mexico.
THE ARKANSAS nTBRoaLIo.
Another trouble has arisen in Arkansas.
| Article 13 of the constitution of that state
| which was adopted in 1863 and upon the ap
| proval of which by congress the state was re-
| stored to representation as one Of the states
| OF the Union, provides in effect that before
| any amendments proposed to this constitution
| shall become a art thereof, they shall be
passe by two successive assemblies and then
/ submitted to, and ratified by, majority OF
the electors of the state voting thereon. On
| the I1th Of May, 1874, the governor convened
/ an extra session Of the general assembly of
/ the state which, on the 18th of the same
\ month, Tassed an act providing for a cont en-
/ ton to frame new constitution. Pursuant
/ to this act and at an election held On the 3Oth
| Of June, 1874, the convention was approved
l and delegates were chosen thereto, who assem-
bled on the 14th of last July and formed
/ new constitution, the schedule Of which pro-
| vlded for the election of entire new set of
state officers in a manner contrary to the then
/ 18th of October, 1874, this constitution, as
/ therein provided, was submitted to the people
| for their approval or rejection, and according
to the election returns was approved by
] large majority Of those qualified to vote there
on, ard at the same election persons wers
chosen to I'LL all the state, county and town
ship Offices The governor elected in 1872. for
the term OF four years, turned over his Office
to the governor chosen under the new consti-
tutfoD whereupon the lieutenant governor
also elected IN 1872, for the term of four
years, claimed to act as governor, and alleging
that said proceedings by which the new con-
stitution was made and a new set of afficers
elected, were unconstitutional illegal and void
and called upon me provided in section T.
article 4, of the constitution, to protect the
state against domestic violence.
AS congress is now investigating the politi-
cal affairs of Arkansas, I have declined to in
terfere with the subject. Executive interfer-
ence with the affairs of state l. repugnant to
public opinion, and to the feelings of those
who, from their official capacity, must be used
in such interposition, and to him or those who
must direct. Unless most clearly on the side
OF OF. law such interference becomes crime
With the law to support 1t, this is condemned
without hearing. I desire, therefor 9, that
ell necessity for executive direction in 10
cal affairs may become unnecessary and OBJ
solete.
AN APPEAL TO TEE NORTH.
invite the attention, not of congress, but of
the people of the United States, to the causes
and effects of these unhappy questions. Is
there not a disposition on one side to magnify
wrongs and outrages, and on the other side
to belittle or justify them. If public opin-
ion could be directed to a correct survey Of
what Is, and to rebuking wrong and aiding
the proper authorities in furnishing it, be-
heve better state of feeling would be incul-
Gated, and the sooner we would have that
peace which wouIi leave the states free indeed
to regulate their own domestic affairs.
ARRAIGNMENT OF THE SOUTH.
believe, on the part Cf our citizens of the
southern states, the better part Of them there
is disposition to be law-abiding, and TO do no
violence, either to individuals or the laws ex-
isting. But, do they do right in ignoring the
existence of violence and bloodshed in resist
anee to constituted authority =? I sympathize
with their PROSTATE condition and would do
all in my power to relieve them, acknowledge
ing that, In some instances, they have had
most trying governments to live under, and
very oppressive ones in the way of taxation
for nominal improvements not giving benefits
equal to the hardships imposed But can they
claim themselves entirely unanswerable for
this condition? They cannot. Violence has
been rampant in some localities, and has
further, been justified or denied by those who
could have prevented it.
GRANTS POLICY.
The theory is raised that there n to be no
further Interference on the part Of the gem
eral government to protect citizens within a
state where the state authorities fail to give
protection. This is a great mistake. While 1
remain the executive all the laws OF congress
and the provisions of the constitution, includ-
ing the amendments added thereto, will be en-
forced with rigor; but with regret that they
should have added one jot or title to execu-
tive duties and powers, let there be fairness in
the discussion of southern questions the ad-
vocates Of both or all political parties giving
honest, truthful reports OF occurrences, con-
demning the wrong and uphOlding the right
and soon all will be well.
THE COLOR LINE.
Under existing conditions the negro votes
the republican ticket because he knows his
friends Of that party MANY a good citi-
zen votes the opposite, not because he agrees
with the great principles of state, which sepa-
rate parties, but because generally, he is op-
posed to negro rule, This is most delusive
one. Treat the negro as 8 citizen and voter
as he is, and must remain, and soon parties
will be divided not the color line but on
principles. Then we shall have no complaint
Of sectional interferences.
THE FEDERAL JUDICIARY.
The report of the attorney-general oontajns
valuable recommendations relating to the ad
mlnlstratian OF justice in the courts sf the
United States, to which invite YOUR attention
l respectfully suggest to congress the propri-
ETY. OF increasing the number Of judicial dis
tricts IN the United States to eleven, the pres
ent number being nine, and the creation Of
two additional iudgeships. The territory to
be travessed by the circuit judges, is so great
and the business OF the courts so steadily m
creaslnS, that it is growing more and more i'm
possible for them to keep up with the business
requiring their attention. Whether this would
involve the necessity OF adding two more jus
tlces OF the supreme court to the present num-
Der, submit to the judgement Of congress.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR.
The attention of congress is invited to the
report OF the secretary Of the interior and to
the legislation asked for by him. The domes-
tic interests OF the people are more intimately
connected with this department than with
either of the other departments of the gov
ernment- It's duties have been added to from
time to time until they have become so onerous
that, without the most perfect system and or
der 1t viii be impossible for any secretary Of
the interior to keep trace Of all the official
transactions having his sanction and dons in
his name, and for which he is held personally
responsible
HoMEsTEADs FOR INDIANS.
The policy adopted for the management of
Indian affairs, known as the peace policy. has
been adhered to with beneficial results 1t is
hoped that few ears more WI relieve our
frontiers Of Indian depredatioas. commend
the recommendation Of the secretary for the
extension OF the h0aaeste6d laws to the Indi-
ans, aud for some sort OF territorial govern
ment for the Indian territory. A great ma
1oEty OF the Indians occupying this territory
are believed to be incapable OF maiutainina
their rights against tlIe more civilized and en-
hghtened men. ANY territorial form Of gov
ernment given them, therefore, should pro
tect them III their homes and property for a
period of at least twenty years, and before its
nnal adoption should be ratified by a majority
Of thOse affected.
The report Of the secretary Of the interior,
| herewith attached, gives much interesting sta
/ tisilcal information which abstain from Civ
| ing an abstract Of, but refer you to the report
/ itself.
| soCT THERx PENSIONERS or 1872.
The acts Of congress providing the oath
/ to which pensioners must subscribe before
drawing their pensions, cuts on from this
| bounty few survivors Of the war Of 1872
| residing In the southern states. recon-
mend the restoI alton OF this bounty to all such.
/ The number OF persons whose names would
/ be restored to the list Of pensioners fs not
| large They are old persons who could have
| taken no part in the rebellion, and the SER
/ vices for which they we're awarded pensions
were IN defence Of the whole county.
THE CESTTESouAL.
| The report Of the commissioners of aericul-
/ ture, herewith, contains suggestions OF much
| interest to the general public, and refers to
l the approaching centennial. and the part his
department is ready TO take in it. I fe1l that
! the nation At large IL interested IN having this
/ exposition a success. and commend 70 congress
/ such action as VIII secure greater general
/ interest IN it. Already many foreign nAtions
/ have signifed their intention 10 be represent
ed at It. Il may be expected thas every civil
fsrr1rHr ranFn srifN fsr~ ~snrn nkaH