The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1857-07-10
The New York Police Bill.

The New York Court of Appeals, we see
has affirmed the constitutionality of the new
metropolitan Police Bill. The Bill it will be
recollected was passed by a Black Republican
Legislature, and made imp ortant changes in
which is largely Democratic, and the measure
was regarded by that party. as a gross attack
upon their corporate privileges and as entirely
unjust and unconstitutional. In view of its
unconstitutionalhy. the operation of the L aw
was resisted by Mayor Wood, and this led to
the recent riots IN the city.
The Court of Appeals, which affirms the
that Judgment of the Supreme Court, declares
there is nothing in the Constitution prohibiting
the abolition of the local police arrangements
OF .he City by the Legislature, and the remod-
cling of the force in any manner they may see
tit; and holds that the only constitutional REM
cdy for unwise legislation, is by the frequent
renewal of the Legislature. The following ex.
tract from the Ayany Arg'e, sets forth in
strong point of view the objections to the
Bill:
One of the most distinguished LAWYERS of this
State residing i'll the interior. said to US yester-
day, "whatever the Court of Appeals NAV feel
constrained to hold in relation to the const;tu.
tsondtity Of the New York Police law, | re-
gnrd the law as more outrageous in its char
aeter than any legislation which has ever dis.
sraccd our State: 1t is greater outrage than
The legislation which led to our revolution"
This was the opinion Of a clear-headed,
thinking man, residing away from the scene 'tf
excitemehts aud forming his judgement merely
as~ quiet looker-on upon matters in which he
sl,ad; no intersstsxcept that Witch every citizen
Eaav Sr, kI,N -ruff e o. r.
tseman, Alluded ., wsdo not cafssto discus, s
the Sonstitutionality of the law in question.
while it is heldsunder advisement by tile Court
OF hast resort and is on the point of being de.
sided. Bot the law ia al that our friend de.
scribed it even should the Cougt hold that it
does SS not directly cent:agene tss Constitution.
Legislative authority may Ge guilty Of oppress. m
ion eudf Injustice which would drive tile peo.
'pae to revolution. - .|tSirI4
~ The great outrage Of the texatiou which led
ITO pdr Hssionai independence was not its. A.
,s uApant Our fore fathers could haye paid the
tax on the tea which was consigned to the wa.
tsrs ofBeston !. haraoh Bgt was the princi.
Fle which the' reeisted-a principle which in
!sihe end might make them slaves.
- So the citizens Of New York, .KineA West
=, chester and Richmond, might possibly submit
without seriets prScticalpp oppression TO the CO
1 Grafton Of the Metropolitan Police LAW They
Sasiight ID the hands Of more honest Commas
sssoness have perfect aud efficient police organ
fsiiatio4 under It. Yet it will be none the les,
anfsutrage upon their risl,ts,. becauae t. 10
! ysdes their tight e.. govern themselves FSi
. f1sSs partizan purposes it strips thesh .ef a
I. attribute which their Sellov citizens Of othei
,c;payA Of tie Stats enjsy. II establishss q pfe
eedgat which may: esslaysthe a. s.
] 81. Nor are their eliov.citiEsns In. 9TH fsf
tSogs6 The STATE len fntsf rested III tAss fqes
"a