Viewing page 227 of 326

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

When the first order making the transfer was issued, about half the civil officers of the state assumed their new duties. Many refused, and gave as a reason that they denied the authority of the Government to issue a proclamation legalizing duties unknown to the code of the state. Since the action of the legislation, the judicial officers of the state take cognizance of all cases without exception; not that they have any desire to give the negro a fair trial, but because they wish to get rid of Freedmen Courts, This spirit of prejudice among the people has been the cause of many outrages committed by the lawless.

The decision of the courts in matters with reference to Freedmen are a disgrace to any tribunals. The Criminal Court of this City has just sentenced a woman for two years' hard labor in the penitentiary of the state, because she stole two planks. Again, another woman was sentenced to one year's labor for stealing two mackerel not worth over fifty cents. This only