April 13-Remits to civil courts jurisdiction | cution of the reconstruction act, was removed of any violation of the laws of the State of Mississippi in relation to carrying concealed weapons. May 19- An election was ordered to be held in Mississippi, June 22, on the ratification of the constitution and for the election of members of Congress and State officers. June 4-General McDowell assumed command of the department. June 16-He removed Governor Humphreys of Mississippi and Attorney General Hooker, and appointed General Adelbert Ames military governor, and Captain Jasper Myers attorney general. Fifth Military District-Louisiana and Texas. March 28-No elections will be held till the reconstruction laws shall have been complied with. April 8-An election in the parish of Livingston, Louisiana, annulled. as Governor of Louisiana, and Thomas J. Durant appointed thereto. William Baker appointed street commissioner of New Orleans, in place of the incumbent, removed for neglecting to keep the streets of the city clean. June 6-Benjamin F. Flanders appointed Governor, in place of Mr. Durant declined. June 10-The act of the Legislature of Texas, October 11, 1866, passed to get rid of Judge Thomas H. Stribling and W. P. Bacon, Union men, because of their political opinions, was annulled. June 29-Registration extended till further orders, by direction of President Johnson, July 19-Registration ordered to cease on the 31st instant. July 27-The old board of levee commissioners reinstated. July 30-J. W. Throckmorton, Governor of Texas, removed as an impediment to reconstruction, and E. M Pease appointed. August 3-Civil tribunals in Texas ordered to disregard an act of legislation, November 1, 1866, regulating contracts for labor. August 17-Election ordered in Louisiana on a convention and for delegates, September 27 and 28, the Convention to consist of 98 members. Commissioners of election ordered to do everything requisite to secure a full and impartial expression of the opinions and wishes of the people through the ballot-box. April 20-Registration boards appointed. April 27-General Griffin, reciting that persons disqualified by law are drawn to serve as jurors in the civil courts of Texas, directed that August 8-Judge Edward Dougherty, 12th hereafter no person shall be eligible to serve as district of Texas, removed for denying the sua juryman until he shall have taken the test-premacy of the laws of Congress, and Edward qath of July 2, 1862. The second section of Basse appointed. the civil rights act was published for the guidance of officials authorized to impannel jurors. [General Griffin vindicated this order, May 29, stating it was not his intention to prescribe whether jurors should be white or black; but to prevent the filling the jury-boxes with men of secession antecedents, inimical to the General Government, and hostile towards Union citizens, who were applying from all parts of the State for protection against the unjust action of the courts.] May 2-An order issued, reciting that an act of the Legislature of Louisiana, of February 12, 1866, providing that officers and men of the police force of New Orleans shall read and write the English language, and have resided upwards of five consecutive years in the city, having been passed for the purpose of excluding ex-Union soldiers from the police force, and every ex-Union soldier had been discharged from it to make room for those of rebellious antecedents, so much of the act as requires the five years' residence was suspended, and a residence of two years adopted. The mayor, Edward Heath, ordered to adjust the police force so that at least onehalf shall be composed of ex-Union soldiers. May 3-New board of levee commissioners appointed. August 22-General Griffin issued an order, at Galveston, that all distinctions on account of color, race, or previous condition, by railroads, or other chartered companies, that are cominon carriers, are forbidden in the district of Texas. August 24-Registration being complete, no person not registered in accordance with law shall be considered a duly qualified voter of the State of Louisiana." Only those duly registered are eligible, under the laws of Louisiana. as jurors; and the necessary revision of the jury lists is ordered to be made immediately, the State exemption from jury duty to remain in force. September 1-General Sheridan relieved. September 6-General Charles Griffin, upon whom the command temporarily devolved, telegraphed General Hartsuff, A. A. G., from Gal veston, to transact all business as if General Sheridan had remained in command and received his anticipated leave of absence. September -General Joseph A. Mower as May 11-Registration boards notified that false certificates of naturalization have been is-sumed command. sued from some of the district courts of New Orleans, and to report them whenever found. May 16-The carrying of fire-arms in New Orleans prohibited except by those authorized or required by law to do so in discharging official duties. May 25-Collection of taxes in Texas levied during the rebellion prohibited. September 17-The assembling of armed men for political and other purposes, and posting them as sentinels or videttes, prevalent in various parts of Louisiana, are prohibited. September 19-All persons subject to parole, now domiciled in Louisiana and Texas, ordered to give their paroles within thirty days. September 28-All persons duly registered in Texas, and no others, will be eligible as jurors. October 21-Convention declared carried, and delegates ordered to meet in New Orleans No June 3-The order appointing a new board of levee commissioners suspended, under President Johnson's directions. J. Madison Wells having made himself an impediment to the faithful exe-vember 23. November 16-Harry T. Hays removed as Sheriff of New Orleans, and George W. Avery appointed. November 12-R. King Cutler appointed judge, in place of A. Cazabat, resigned. November 21-Albert Voorhies removed as Lieutenant Governor, and several other State officers; and, November 22, this order was suspended. November 29-General Winfield S. Hancock assumed command. He issued this order: district to protect all persons in these rights, to suppress disorder and violence, and to punish, or cause to be punished, all disturbers of the public peace and criminals. The commanding general has been officially informed that the administration of justice, and especially of criminal justice, in the courts is clogged, if not entirely frustrated, by the euforcement of paragraph No. 2 of the military order numbered: Special Orders 125, current series, from these headquarters, issued on the 24th of August, A. D. 1867, relative to the qualifications of persons to be placed on the jury lists of the State of Louisiana. II. The general commanding is gratified to learn that peace and quiet reign in this department. It will be his purpose to preserve this condition of things. As a means to this great end, he regards the maintenance of the civil authorities in the faithful execution of the laws as the most efficient, under existing circum-shall be amended or changed by that depart stances. To determine who shall and who shall not be jurors appertains to the legislative power; and until the laws in existence regulating this subject ment of the civil government, which the conIn war it is indispensable to repel force by stitutions of all the States under our republican force, and overthrow and destroy opposition to system vest with that power, it is deemed best lawful anthority. But when insurrectionary to carry out the will of the people as expressed force has been overthrown and peace established, in the last legislative act upon this subject. and the civil authorities are ready and willing The qualification of a juror under the law is to perform their duties, the military power a proper subject for the decision of the courts. should cease to lead, and the civil administra- The commanding general, in the discharge of the tion resume its natural and rightful dominion. trust reposed in him, will maintain the just Solemnly impressed with these views, the gen-power of the judiciary, and is unwilling to pereral announces that the great principles of American liberty still are the lawful inheritance of this people and ever should be. The right of trial by jury, the habeas corpus, the liberty of the press, the freedom of speech, and the natural rights of persons, and the rights of property, must be preserved. Free institutions, while they are essential to the prosperity and happiness of the people, always furnish the strongest inducements to peace and order. Crimes and offenses committed in this district must be referred to the consideration and judgment of the regular civil tribunals, and those tribunals will be supported in their lawful jurisdiction. mit the civil authorities and laws to be embarrassed by military interference; and as it is an established fact that the administration of justice in the ordinary tribunals is greatly embarrassed by the operations of Paragraph No. 2, Special Orders No. 125, current series, from these headquarters, it is ordered that said paragraph, which relates to the qualifications of jurors to be placed on the jury-lists of the State of Louisiana, be, and the same is hereby, revoked, and that the trial by jury be henceforth regulated and controlled by the Constitution and civil laws, without regard to any military orders heretofore issued from these headquarters. December 18-Election ordered in Texas on a convention, and for delegates, February 10, 11, 1868, January 1-General Hancock issued this order: Should there be violations of existing laws, which are not inquired into by the civil magis-12, 13, and 14, 1868. trates, or should failures in the administration of justice by the courts be complained of, the cases will be reported to these headquarters, when such orders will be made as may be deemed necessary. While the general thus indicates his purpose to respect the liberties of the people, he wishes all to understand that armed insurrections or forcible resistance to the law will be instantly suppressed by arms. By command of Major General W. S. Hancock. Bvt. Lieut. Col., Acting Assist. Adj't Gen. December 2―R. King Cutler's appointment as judge revoked; and, December 3, A. Cazabat appointed. December 5-This order was issued by General Hancock: Applications have been made at these headquarters implying the existence of an arbitrary authority in the commanding general touching purely civil controversies. One petitioner sclicits this action, another that, and each refers to some special consideration of grace or favor, which he supposes to exist and which should influence this department. The number of such applications, and the waste of time they involve, make it necessary to declare that the administration of civil justice appertains to the regular courts. The rights of litigants do not depend on the views of the general. They are to be adjudged and settled according to the laws. Arbitrary power, such as he has been urged to assume, has no existence here. It is not found in the laws of Louisiana or Texas. It cannot be derived from any act or acts of Congress. It is restrained by a constitution, and prohibited from The true and proper use of military power, besides defending the national honor against foreign nations, is to uphold the laws and civil government, and to secure to every person re-action in many particulars. siding among us the enjoyment of life, liberty, and property. It is accordingly made, by act of Congress, the duty of the commander of this The major general commanding takes occasion to repeat that, while disclaiming judicial functions in civil cases, he can suffer no forcible re By command of Major General Hancock. G. L. HARTSUFF, A. A. G. January 2—Mr. Joshua Baker appointed Governor in place of Hon. B. F. Flanders, resigned. January 8-Mr. Baker took the oath of office as Governor of Louisiana. In May, 1867, General Sheridan distributed memoranda of disqualifications, and questions to be proposed for the registers. Their substance was to deslare disqualified all who had acted as United States Senators or Representatives, electors, officers of the army and navy, civil officers of the United States, and all State officers provided for by the constitution of the State prior to January 26, 1861, who had afterwards engaged in the rebellion, and all who, in 1862 and 1864, claimed protection of foreign Powers. If any person applying to be registered, having held such office, declared that he had been engaged in the rebellion, or if the registers knew them to have been so, they must not be registered. If any of the officers whose election is hereir announced shall be disqualified on the first Monday in November, 1868, to hold office, the incumbent at that date will hold over until the disability shall have been removed or a new election held. June 6-The municipal officers chosen were announced and ordered to be installed in New Orleans on the 10th inst., and in other places on the seventh day after the receipt of the order. June 6-The chairman of the board of registration, S. B. Packard, issued a proclamation reciting the provisons of the constitution requiring all civil officers to enter on their duties on the second Monday after the official promulOn the 11th of January, 1868, General Han- gation of the election returns, and requiring the cock set aside these memoranda, declaring that General Assembly to meet on the third Monday he dissented from the construction given to the after such promulgation; declaring that the reconstruction laws therein, inasmuch as it ap-commanding general had violated such proplied to the officers of municipal and charitable corporations, which were not included in the act of March 23, 1867, and whose exclusion is directly contrary to that of July 19. Orders the registers to be guided by their own interpretation of the laws and the XIVth Constitutional Amendment. February 7-For proceeding to hold an election, in contempt of orders from headquarters, certain members of the board of aldermen of New Orleans were removed and others appointed in their place. February 27-The preceding order was revoked by direction of General Grant. March 11-Election ordered in Louisiana on April 17 and 18, on the constitution adopted by the Convention. March 13-It was decided that a pardon did not entitle a person to be registered, if he would have been disqualified without the pardon. March 25—Election ordered for Štate officers and Representatives in Congress at the same time with the vote on the constitution. May 13-The result of the election declared, 17,413 majority for the constitution. vision, and that to the board of registration had been delegated by the Convention the power to inaugurate the new State government; notifies all officers to take possession of their offices, and the General Assembly to meet, on the days above named. The same day Mr. Packard was arrested, but released on recognizance to appear before a military commission to be immediately organized. June 8—General Grant telegraphed to General Buchanan as follows: the admission of Louisiana, I would suggest suspenIn view of the legislation now pending relative to sion of all action in case of Packard's arrest and trial. U. S. GRANT, General. Same day-General Buchanan accordingly action respecting Packard and the other memannounced a suspension of arrest and further bers of the board of registration. Texas passed a resolution urging upon Congress June 16-The Constitutional Convention of the necessity of authorizing the organization by counties of Texas, to act in conjunction with, that body of a military force in the several and under the direction of, the military comJune 2-The names of the members of the mander therein, for the protection of the lives 'General Assembly, State officers, parish officers, and property of the citizens now every day and judicial officers were announced. The Gen-being preyed upon by assassins and robbers to eral Assembly was forbidden to convene till the an extent unparalleled in the history of civilcommanding general was officially notified of ized communities in times of peace, and which, the acceptance by Congress of the constitution, if not speedily arrested, must result in the deafter which he would appoint a day for their struction of social order; and that if protection meeting to act on the XIVth constitutional be not speedily provided in some form by the amendment. The civil government hereby national Government to the loyal and law-abidprovided for is provisional in its character until ing citizens of Texas, they will be compelled, in after the adoption of the XIVth constitutional the sacred right of self-defence, to organize for amendment. Article 158 of the new constitu- their own protection E XXVIII. ABSTRACTS OF THE NEW CONSTITUTIONS OF MARYLAND AND NEW YORK, ALABAMA, ARKANSAS, FLORIDA, LOUISIANA, GEOR GIA, NORTH CAROLINA, SOUTH CAROLINA, VIRGINIA AND MISSISSIPPI. Constitution of Maryland adopted in 1867. In the declaration of rights are the following: That the people of this State have the sole and xclusive right of regulating the internal government and police thereof, as a free, sovereign, and independent State. That the levying of taxes by the poll is grievous and oppressive, and ought to be prohibited; that paupers ought not to be assessed for the support of the government. That slavery shall not be re-established in this State; but having been abolished under the policy and authority of the United States, compensation in consideration thereof is due from the United States. That no religious test ought ever to be required, as a qualification for any office of profit or trust in this State, other than a declaration of belief in the existence of God; nor shall the Legislature prescribe any other oath of office than the oath prescribed by the constitution. All elections by ballot; voters are white male citizens of the United States, twenty-one years of age and upwards, who have resided in the State one year and six months in the district in which he offers to vote. Sec. 5 provides a uniform registration of voters. Sec. 6 fixes the oath of office to support the Constitution of United States, and bear true allegiance to the State of Maryland, and support its constitution and laws, &c. Art. 2, sec. 17 gives governor the veto power; a three-fifths vote of the members elected to each house necessary to pass a bill over the veto. The generai assembly shall pass no law providing for payment by this State for slaves emancipated from servitude in this State; but they shall adopt such measures as they may deem expedient to obtain from to receive and distribute the same equitably to the the United States compensation for such slaves, and persons entitled. Sec. 41 disqualifies from office of profit or trust any person fighting a duel or participating as second, or knowingly aiding or assisting those offending. Sec. 43 protects the property of the wife from the debts of her husband. Sec. 44 protects $500 worth of property from execution. Sec. 46 is in these words: The general assembly shall have power to receive from the United States any grant or donation of land, money, or securities for any purpose designated by the United States, and shall administer or distribute the same according to the conditions of the said grant. Sec. 53 provides that no person shall be incompetent, as a witness, on account of race or color, unless hereafter so declared by act of general assembly. Sec. 55 prohibits the general assembly from passing any law suspending the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus. Constitution of the State of New York. Adopted in convention, but not yet submitted for ratification. The privilege of the writ of habeas corpus shall not be suspended, unless when, in cases of rebellion or invasion, the public safety may require its suspension. election in the election district of which he shall be at the time a resident, and not elsewhere, for all officers that now are or hereafter may be elective by the people, and upon all questions which may be submitted to the vote of the people of the State; provided that such citizen shall have been for thirty days next preceding the election a resident of the town or ward, and, for ten days, of the election district in which he offers his vote. Every male inhabitant, of the age of twentyone years, who shall have been a citizen for ten days and a resident of the State for one year Art. 3, sec. 3, gives each county a senator, and next preceding an election, and for the last four Baltimore city 3, one for each district. Allegany months a resident of the county where he may county, till the next census, is to have five dele-offer his vote, shall be entitled to vote at such gates in the house of delegates; Anne Arundel, 3; Baltimore county, 6; Baltimore city 18, elected in three districts; Calvert, 2; Caroline, 2; Carroll, 4; Cecil, 4; Charles, 2; Dorchester, 3; Frederick, 6; Harford, 4; Howard, 2; Kent, 2; Montgomery, 3; Prince George's, 3; Queen Anne's, 2; St. Mary's, 2; Somerset, 3; Talbot, 2; Washington, 5; Worcester, 3. Sect. 4 provides that after the next census each county with a population of 18,000 souls, or less, shall have two delegates; of 18,000 and less than 28,000, 3; of 28,000 and less than 40,000, 4; of 40,000 and less than 55,000, 5; of 55,000 and upwards, 6, and each of the legislative districts of Baltimore shall have a number of delegates equal to the largest county. The term of senators is fixed at four years and delegates two. Three years' citizenship in Maryland necessary to make a person eligible as senator or delegate. Art. 4, sec. 28, requires a majority of the whole number of members elected to each house to pass a bill, and by yeas and nays. Sec. 37 is in these words: Registration of voters authorized. Thirtytwo senators, and one hundred and thirty-nine assemblymen. No bill shall pass except upon the assent of a majority of the members elected to each house. Governor has veto, with twothirds vote of members elected necessary to repass the vetoed bill. Legislature shall not authorize the consolidation of railroad corporations owning parallel or competing lines of road. No law shall be passed authorizing or sanctioning the suspension of specie payments. All ablebodied male citizens, between eighteen and fortyfive, shall be annually enrolled, as a militia force, to be divided into active and reserve forces the active to be called the National Guard of the State of New York, and not to exceed, in peace, thirty thousand men. Constitution of Alabama. Adopted in convention, November 5, 1867, voted on by the people, February 4, 1868. I, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and maintain the Constitution and laws of the United States, and the constitution and laws of the State The declaration of rights provides that all of Alabama; that I am not excluded from registering by persons resident in the State, born in the United any of the clauses in sec. 3, article 7, of the constitu Ŝtates, or naturalized, or who shall have legally nance or aid in the secession of this State from the tion of the State of Alabama; that I will never countedeclared their intention to become citizens of United States; that I accept the civil and political the United States, are citizens of the State, pos- equality of all men; and agree not to attempt to desessing equal civil and political rights and prive any person or persons, on account of race, color, or previous condition, of any political or civil right, public privileges. Freedom of speech and privilege, or immunity enjoyed by any other class of press is guaranteed, with responsibility for its men; and, furthermore, that I will not in any way abuse; also the right to bear arms in defence of injure, or countenance in others any attempt to injure, any person or persons on account of past or himself and the State. Prohibits any form of present support of the Government of the United slavery or involuntary servitude except as pun-of political and civil equality of all men, or for affiliaStates, the laws of the United States, or the principle ishment for crime. Asserts that the State has of political and civil equality of all men, or for affiliation with any political party. no right to sever its relations to the Federal Union, or to pass any law in derogation of the paramount allegiance of the citizens of this State to the Government of the United States. The president of the senate and speaker of the house shall hold their offices until their successors shall be qualified. The legislature The legislature has power to suppress duelling. The State shall not engage in any internal improvements. The governor has the veto power, but a majority of the whole number of members of each house may pass a bill over the veto. The governor shall have a pardoning power in all cases except treason, but his pardon shall not relieve from civil or political disability. Art. 7, sec. 2-Every male person, born in the United States, and every male person who has been naturalized, or who has legally declared his intention to become a citizen of the United States, twenty-one years old or upwards, who shall have resided in this State six months next preceding the election, and three months in the county in which he offers to vote, except as hereinafter provided, shall be deemed an elector; provided that no soldier, or sailor, or marine, in the military or naval service of the United States, shall hereafter acquire a residence by reason of being stationed on duty in this State. Sec. 3. It shall be the duty of the general assembly to provide, from time to time, for the registration of all electors, but the following classes of persons shall not be permitted to register, vote, or hold office: 1st. Those who, during the late rebellion, inflicted, or caused to be inflicted, any cruel or unusual punishment upon any soldier, sailor, marine, employé, or citizen of the United States, or who, in any other way, violated the rules of civilized warfare. 2d. Those who may be disqualified from holding office by the proposed amendment of the Constitution of the United States, known as " Article XIV," and those who have been disqualified from regis tering to vote for delegates to the Convention to frame a constitution for the State of Alabama, under the act of Congress "to provide for the more efficient government of the rebel States," passed by Congress March 2, 1867, and the acts supplementary thereto, except such persons as aided in the reconstruction proposed by Congress, and accept the political equality of all The militia shall consist of all able-bodied male inhabitants between eighteen and forty- from sale on execution for debt hereafter con- Constitution of Arkansas. Adopted by convention February 11, 1868, and ratified by the people March 13, 1868. It provides, among other things, that the paramount allegiance of every citizen is due to the Federal Government, in the exercise of all its constitutional powers, as the same may have been or may be defined by the Supreme Court of the United States, and no power exists in the people of this or any other State of the Federal Union to dissolve their connection therewith, or perform any act tending to impair, subvert, or resist the supreme authority of the United States. equality of all persons before the law is recog nized and shall ever remain inviolate; nor shall any citizen ever be deprived of any right, privilege, or immunity, nor exempted from any burden or duty, on account of race, color, or previous condition. The The general assembly shall not grant to any citizen or class of citizens privileges or immunities which, upon the same terms, shall not equally belong to all citizens. No religious or property test shall be required for voting or holding office. Set 25 declares null and void the ordinance |