Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-10-24
THE BALTIMORE POLICE BOARD.
The Committee of the People and the
Governor.


At half past seven o'clock yesterday morn
ing the committee of twenty, appointed by
the peoples meeting, together with the COM
mittee for the city at large, took the steam
boat HIGHLAND Liqkt for Annapolis After
a delightful run of about two hours the boat
reached her wharf, and Immediately the
committee moved to the Capitol and to the
Executive Department Gov. SWAMI was
already there, and received the committee
in a digniied and cordial manner. After
he had held short conversation with some
of the members with whom he was person.
ally acquainted, GEORGE w. HERRING,
Esq, on the part of the committee, APP
preached him and said:
Gov. SwANN-Since the last election in
the city of Baltimore, the people have felt
themselves so much aggrieved at the result
of that election that they met in primary
meetings and appointed a convention to de-
wise means of redress. That convention APP
pointed a committee of twenty to represent
their respective wards, and an additional
committee of five for the city at large, who
are now present to lay this memorial before
you. You are aware, sir, that ABOUT one
eighth of the people voted, which resulted in
the election of a Mayor. You are also aware
what the law is with regard to the appoint
ment of judges and clerk Of elections. That
law has been violated, and the violation has
been winked at by the Commissioners of PO-
lice on the ground that they were governed
by theopinion Of Attorney General RANDALL.
The people were not only denied the right to
have their votes deposited in boxes Cor reject
ed ballots, but were driven from the polls
The people Of themselves have no remedy
for the recovery of their rights taken from
them by the action Of the Police Commits
sioners. You are aware of the law which
empowers you, for official misconduct, to re-
move the Police Commissioners; and relying
upon your sense ofright, the people appeal to
you to afford them relief
The taxpayers have been robbed Of their
rights, and they come to you as the only
remedy to assist them by the exercise of
your legal authority. The registry law was
made when the dark cloud of war was over
the land, but that condition has passed away,
peace has returned, and there no longer
exists a necessity for such rigorous mea-
sures. 1t is charged by the minority in the
city Of Baltimore that those who complain
are sympathizers with the South, and as
one Of them; but sir, they know they OPP
pose the rights Of the people TO maintain
the ascendency, as the Radical element has
already declared the coming election shall
60 with them. FREDERICK the Great eleva-
ted man because he defended his rights,
but the Radicals oppose the elevation of any
Conservative who will defend his rights.
The people come to you and ask you to act at
sace, for the remedy must be promptly ap-
piled. They know that your sense of Justice
and patriotism will accomplish their desire.
Mr.. HERRING then handed to the Cover
nor the memorial Of ten thousand persons
asking the removal Of the Police Commits
sioners, together With large number Of az
idavits Of official misconduct on the part Of
their agents or employees.
Governor SWAMI replied:
GENTLEMEN OF THE CoMsITTEE-I re-
gret most exceedingly the cause which has
brought you here to-day. 1t must be IN
derstoOd that am the Governor Of the State
Of Maryland, and not Of a party. In the
discharge Of my duty / will know the inter
est Of no party, but the interest Of the whole
State. Coming, as you do, representing 50
large 4 portion Of the people Of the State,
with afidayits Of your complaints, am
bound to receive you with respect. / will
not refer to the past nor the present. am
here to examine the testimony laid before
me, and am bound to dispose Of that testi-
mony with impartiality. The Constitution
Of the State must be respected, and the laws
Of the State must be respected without fear,
favor or affection. win give prompt con-
sideration to the subject before me, and the
rights Of every citizen from the highest to
he lowest, shall be respected.
At the close Of his remarks Gov. SWAN
vas introduced to the committee indiyidu-
lily, and IN conversation remarked that he
should begin the examination Of the tes-
.imony during the afternoon. The commit
ZEE exprcssedthemselves highly pleased with
he interview, the Official portion Of which
vas not Of more than fifteen minutes du-
alton.
About nine O'clock last night the Mayor
,eceived despatch from the Governor cit
ng the Police Commissioners, SAMUEL
aIxpEs and NICHOLAS L. WooB, to appear I
sefore him on Monday next, when they will
lear the charges preferred against them.