Daily American organ., 1856-04-15
BOARD OF COMMON COUNCIL.
MoNpAY, April IA, 1855.

mONDAr, April ii, 1000
Mr. AtLee, from the Committee on Claims, to
whom was referred the petition Of B. K. Morsel
reported bill for his relief
Mr.. AtLee read the petition Of Mr. Morsell,
showing that he had performed, az Police Magis-
trate Of the fourth district, large amount Of the
duty devolving on the magistrates for the first
second, third, fifth, and seventh districts there
being, at the tme magistrates elected for either
Of those districts. 1t was proposed to pay him two
thirds Of the amount which such officers would
have received had they been duly elected.
Mr.. Jefferson opposed the bill. Mr.. Morselrs
case was hard one, but the hsrdships were inn
posed by the party in the majority and they should
pay him from their own pockets for the services
performed. The Councils had refused compen-
sation in precisely similar cases.. The Councils
could have elected magistrates for the other wards
but they would not do 1t.
Mr.. Ruff thought the bill just he could see no
objection to the payment Of the claim. The Ma
gistrate Of one district required by the law on
the subject to render assistance in any other dis
trict, but not to discharge the whole duty for any
other district. 4 hek
The gentleman from the Second Ward [Mr. JEFF.
ferson] had charged the corporation with being TO
blame that these Offices were vacant; this he de-
MED, and charged that it was power higher than
the corporation, which, because man had attached
himself to the American party, would deny him .
reappointment as Magistrate; men whose cha
racters were unblemished, and who had been Magis-
trates for years, had been thus refused. He had
always been Democrat, and was still, but his
Democracy was not Of the kind which distinguished
the administration of Franklin Pierce. He was
thankful that there we're some Magistrates whose
commissions would not expire until this admins
tration bad sunk into oblivion.
Mr.. Jefferson contended that the minority in the
Board were not the minority in the city, and If the
former elections had been conducted with justice,
they (the anti-Amerioans) would now be In power.
Mr.. Walker regretted that this discussion had
taken political turn, butthc member from the
Second ward Mr.. Jefferson] had made q state
ment that he regarded as Infamous and insulting.
These assertions had been made before, and when
an opportunity for proving them had been given,
no proof was forthcoming. Amy one who would
examine the documents in the case would be con-
vinced that our late election was conducted fairly
and Justly. The gentleman from the Sixth ward
Mr.. Ruff had Justly remarked that our Magis-
trates bad been prescribed for daring to oppose
the administration Of Franklin Pierce.
He contended that it was the duty Of the Presi-
dent to reappoint those magistrates in whom the
Corporation had reposed confidence, and refusal
to do so was direct and gross insult to the Cor
porstion. When the Sag NIGHTS got in power here
it would be time enough for them to rule. He was
q member Of the American party, and would vim
dicate it on all occasions, and no one had right
to say that he was in minority until proved 90
by the votes Of the people. sg f9esA
Mr.. Ball desired justice to be done to all. Mr..
Morsell was not to blame for the shortcomings Of
the President or Corporation. In consequence Of
being obliged to act as Police Magistrate for four
Wards at a time, he had been obliged 70 neglect
his other business, and was thereby loser. If the
offices had been regularly filed, their salaries
would have amounted TO a larger sum.
Mr. AtLee had but little 70 say on the subject