Daily Iowa State Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1856-1859, 1857-10-31
Martial Law In Baltimore.

Martial Law In Baltimore.
Baltimore, Oct. 30
Governor Liguo issued proclamation
this morning, placing the city under martial
law, and ordered ont two divisions, some
700 men, and their commanding officers are
ordered TO enrol at once and report for SER
vice, and hold themselves in readiness TO
preserve the peace on Wednesday next, the
day of general election.
The Governor takes this step against the
decision of the Mayor, but at the request
aud on representations made by responsible
citizens. Considerable feeling was aroused
this morning by the proclamation
There is great diversity of opinion in
regard to the measure, many considering it
justified by the existing circumstances, while
others look upon it as most unwise, and cal
culated to Increase the difficulties appre-
hended on election dav.
Governor higou's proclamation of to day
has produced quite a sensation and much
excitement-An extra has been published
giving the correspondence between the Co
vernon and Mayor The latter objects to
any interference by the Governor in the
government OF the city, and says in concu-
sion
" As the Mayor of the City of Baltimore
l hold my commission directly from the
people and am accountable to them for the
manner IN which discharge my duty. The
office which have been called upon to as
sune was conferred upon me without soil
citation and will be laid down whenever it
shall be made TO appear that | have lost
the confidence of those whom it has been
my endeayor TO serve; but can recognize
subordination to no other power within the
sphere OF my duty. 1t being do to courtesy
TO afford your excellency the most ample
information in regard to the matters to
which you refer in your letter, and now
invite from You any reliable evidence, on
which l can legally act, of combination on
the part OF any OF our citizens to obstruct
the polls at the coming election. But while
am thus frank in overshadowing my plans
for the preservation of the public peace and
the protection OF the polls by every means
at my command, | must be equally SO in
declining TO recognize any governmental in
terference In the administration of the af-
fairs OF the city.
The powers Of the Mayer are believed to
be ample. He has his resort, in case OF
emergency, to the civil powers. as well to
the militrry army, which like the former,
Is placed by law, under his control. 1t will
be his duty to use his endeavors to see that
every citizen Il protected in his constitution
al rights, aud that the peace of the city is
preserved by the means a his disposal. If,
however 1T shall be attempted to introduce
a power into the city of Baltimore above
that OF its regularly constituted authorities.
or II said power be assumed in the anticipa-
tion oi a state OF things which may yet oc
eur TO bring the military into contact with
the people on the day OF election, without
an oihcial requistion on the part of the To-
cal authorities. | can only express the sin.
cere belief that such policy would seri
ously endanger the peace of the city and
lead to mergencies which it should be the
duty Of all good citizens to endeavor, if pos.
sible, to avert.
Signed
TnoMAs LEvAS, Mayor