The interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1872-1881, 1880-07-09

tiuns, and to prevent military inter
enco nj the polls.
J "IIEAouAnrERs Ffrrn MILITARY
DISTRICT, NV OmEAEs. Ia
December rs, 1867 }
ESPECIAL oRDEns.
No. 2l3.
fExrRAcT.
81. In compliance with the supple
mentary act Of Congress Of March
%, 1867, notice is hereby given that
an election will be held in the State Of
Texas on the 10th, 18th, 18th, 18th
and 18th days Of February, 1868, to
determine whether convention shall
be held, and for delegates thereto TO
form Constitution for the State un.
der said act.
ok. Military interference with
elections. unless il shall he necessary
to keep the peace at the polls, is pro-
hibited by law, and no soldiers will
be allowed TO appear at any polling
place, unless as citizens OF the State
they are registered as voters, and then
only for the purpose Of voting; but
the commanders Of posts will be pre-
pared to act promptly IT the civil au-
thoriiics fail to preserve the peace.
TX. The Sheriff and other peace
officers Of each county are requested
10 he present during the whole time
the polls are kept open, and until the
election is completed, and will be
made responsible that there shall be
no interference with judges Of cleo
ton, or other interruption Of good
order.
"As an additional measure TO Sc
cure the purity Of election, each reg
i.ter or clerk Is hereby clothed, dur
ing the election, with authority to
call upon the civil officers Of tho coun-
ty TO make arrests, and in case OF fail
ure Of the aforesaid civil officers, are
empowered to perform their duties
during the election. They will make
full report Of such failures on the part
Of civil officers to the Commanding
General, Fifth Military District,
through the headquarters, District of
Texas, for orders in each case. + = =
"By command Of Maj. Gen. Hancock.
"TOhicialI"
February "a, 1868, General Han
cock wrote a letter to General How
ard complaining of the usurpation of
the Freedman's Bureau, in which he
said
There are numerous abuses of au-
thority ON the part Of certain agents
Of the Bureau in Texas, and General
Reynolds is already investigating some
Of them.
my intention is to coniine the
agents Of the Bureau within their
legitimate authority, so far as my
power as District Commander extends
further than that, it is not my inten
ton or desire to interfere"
aAEFIEID's MEANNEss.
General Garfield, the Chairman
of the Military Committee in thu
House of Representatives introduced
bill To reduce the number of Majol
Generals in the army, with the avow
ed object OF getting rid of Hancock
and thus punish him for his sieadfas
subordination OF the military to the
civil jurisdiction. This bill was new
err pressed TO its passage. being deem
ell by those friendly to its object as so'
likely to excite popular demonstration
in favor of the prosecuted individual
"a safer method WIS adopted
General Grant having been inyeste'
by Congress with extraordinary pow
ers, so as to be no longer responsible
to the President, his constitutional
commander-in-chief, was induced t
interfere in such n manner with Gen
Hancock's official action AZ to humil
late him before the people he was sen
to govern. This naturally soon LEI
to Gen. Hancock's application to b
relieved of his command.
"About this time he wrote TO
friend in Congress as follows;
4 81 hope to be relieve
here soon. The President is no long
er able 10 protect me. SO that
may expect one humiliation aiie
another, until ! am forced to resign
| am prepared for any event. Moth
ing can intimida:e me from dom
what believe TO he honest aud right.