The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1864-07-04
Affairs at Norfolk, Va.
Prom the Norfolk Nev Regim,

PIERPoNT REPUDIArED.-The disclosure
made in this journal yesterday, OF the man
agement Of State and city affairs, under Gov.
Plerpont and Mayor Brooks, did not take any
body here by surprise. The citizens OF Nor
folk have, for over a year back, been complain
ing of the extortions of the civil authorities
and as early as February, deputation of eiti-
zens waited upon the military authorities, and
asked that the civil government be set aside.
Gen. Butler was unwilling to interfere in the
matter. He was assured that the msjority of
voters were anxious that such step should
be taken. More urgent matters came up; and
4 Gen. Butler went into the field. Soon alter,
Gen. Shepley assumed command, and he was
| likewise urged to set aside the extortionate
civil goverRment-which did nothing but col
! lect taxes and expend the money among I'M
employed ofiice-holders. Four days ago, Gen.
! Shepley, in compliance with the public wish,
issued the following order:
Many loyal citizens OF Norfolk having rep
resented to the Military authorities in this
Department that theysio not desire continu-
ance of the Municipal Government that has
d
ing General, 1t has been determined before
any tinal action is taken upon those petitions,
10 take an expression Of the preference of the
citizens themselves at the polls.
/ On the day of the ensuing municipal cleo.
tion in the city of Norfolk, poll will be open
ed at the several places OF voting, and sepa-
rate ballot boxes will be kept open during the
hours of voting, in which voters may deposit
| their ballots, Yes" or NO." upon the follow
| ing question:
Those in favor OF continuing the present
form of Municipal Government during the
existence OF Military occupation will vote
yes
Those opposed to it will vote "No."
Persons otherwise entitled TO vote, and who
have taken the oath required in the Amnesty
Proclamation of the President, will not be
considered as disqualified from voting on
this question by reason Of their not having
taken any other oaths, but will be allowed
to vote upon this question If qualified in other
respects.
The Provost Marshal will appoint persons
to receive and count and declare these votes
in case the Commissioners of Election or
other officers presiding at the polls shall fail
to do So
The Regime adds, YESTERDAY being the
" day fixed for the annual election OF Mayor
"of Norfolk, the citizens decided the question
Submitted to them. The majority against
:" the civil rule is three hundred and four
teen" Then follows a detailed state of Il 0
vote.
We also find the following brief article in
the same number of the Regime:
GEN. BUTLER.-Never before, since the be-
ginning of the war, has a commander of de-
partment been so honored as was Gen. Butler
yesterday, by the citizens of Norfolk In the
face OF the written ISLANDERS of Pierpont. the
verbal backbting Of civil cflice-holders. and
the perjury and conspiracy OF whiskey-smug-
glers, the people went TO the polls. and de-
cided by vote Of three hundred and fourteen
to sixteen, that they preferred the military
government, as administered by General But
Ter and General Shepley, 10 that oE.ehe dis
honest and corrupt so-called restored gov
eminent OF Peirpont and Brooks. This
seems to ms q most thorough vindication Of
Gen. Butler and his administration in the De-
partment of Virginia and North Carolina.