The New York herald., 1863-02-20
Board or Councilmen.

TIE FIT2 JOHN PORTER COURT MARTIAL THE kES0-
LUrioSS CoNDEMNING THE VERDICT UNANIMOUSLY
ADoPTED--THE CErEBKATI OF wAsHINGToS'S
BIRTaDAY-IssUR OF CENTRAL PARK IMPROVE
MINT FUND sTOCK-REIIE1 FOR TIE FAMILIES
OF VOLUNTEERS aARBoR DEFENCE ORDINANCE
ADOPTED, ETC.
regular meeting os the Board of Councilmen held
last eveniugMorgan Jones ESD President in the chair
The minutes of the last meeting read and ap-
proved
communication received from the Mayor, stating
that Colonel Madhof Of the Eleventh regiment New York
National Guard, bad rendered to the Common Council
salute the occasion OF the parade of his regiment
Monday next when ashngtons birthday will be ce,e-
brated. The invitation accepted.
The preamble and resolution adopted the Board OF
Aldermen in reference the dismissal Of General Fz
John Porter from the service Of the United States were
again brought up.
Councilman Gross said the present administration had
been guilty Of in dismssing generals in
the field ii had been guilty OF many public and pri
vste wrongs by the suspension Of the writ Of habeas
corpus and the suppression OF freedom of speech and Of
the press that they need not be surprised that should
call together court martial composed of members who
were ali one way OF thinking The result Of their delb
crations Major General tz John dis
missed from the service 70 which he had devoted his
hest energies and whose services wond compare favora
bly, with those OF that general who looked to his
rearn-Genera Pope. General Porter had rendered
good services to the country, not only during the
present war, but also during the Mexican war. The
testimony taken before the court martial was, he
did not doubt, familiar to all the members OF the
ElAru, ana ne Deleved tney would oil coincide
with his views--that the findings Of that court
were very unjust Another ofhcer-Coonel Tom Ford
had been tried by court martial and dismissed the
ervce for surrendering Harpers Ferry, with II 900
men, immense quantity OF ammunition and other pro
erty The sentence was just one and applauded by all
oDversant with the facts. few weeks ago he had been
suddenly rcnstated and restored to his command while
General Porter stl iaborng under the disgrace at
tched TO him by the sentence Of that court martial which
condemned him not only 70 DO dismissed the service for
dlsobedence OF orders, but also disquaies him from
holding any other Office under the United States. He
ho, thp no
without dissenting being raised the negative
fhe question being put on the adoption Of the resolu
tions all tho members voted IN the affirmative.
The resolution from the Board OF Aldermen, donating
the OF S. 900 for the celebration OF Washngons
birthday, lost for want Of constitutional vote.
twas subsequently, reconsidered and adopted.
The ordinance authorizing the Comptroller " isaue
$500 OF the Central Park Improvement Fund stock
was motion OF Councilman Brce amended, by altering
the amount TO $3.50 900. II WAS then adopted.
The new ordinance providing for raising an additional
$500 for the relief Of the families ct volunteers
was received iron the Aldermen, and after receiving
some slight amendments was adopted.
The ordinance provide for the Geenccs of the harbor
and city OF New York then taken up II provides
that a committee, composed OF five members from zach
b"anch Of the Common Council, together with the
Mayor and Comptroller, shall constitute board of
carry into effect the provisions of the ordi
The OF million OF dollars is 20 DO appro
paed to deray the expenses incurred in providing IRON
clad sells owar and steam rams TO increase the de-
fences of the hnrbor OF New York
The ordnance as adopted in the Board Of Aldermen,
concurred in
The President announced the following special com
mttce make arrangements the celebration OF Nash
ingons birthday --Counci!neu Hayes, Gross, Hauehta
ling, Br,ce aud Mcconnell. I
Yhe Board then adjourned until Thursday next Ecu
nfct tnrk