Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1866-10-31
CLEARFIELD, PA, OCTOBER 81, 1866.
The Trouble in Maryland.

The Trouble in Maryland.
The trouble arising out of the proposed
removal of the Baltimore police Commits
sioners, is not yet finally determined. As
there are some facts that may not be gener-
ally known, which are necessary to correct
understanding of the matter, we will en-
deavor to state them as succinctly as posi-
ble
Under the amended State Constitution of
Maryland, mo person who has at any time
been in armed hostility to the United
States, or 'has in any manner adhered
to the enemies of the United States" or
has declared his desire for the triumph of
said enemies over the arms of the United
States, shall ever be entitled to uote at any
g election to be held IN this State, etc AZ
terwards Registry law was passed for the
purpose of carrying into effect this provis-
ion of the Constitution, and it was contem-
plated that the names of all persons disfran-
chised under it, should be excluded from the
registry. Last spring, prior to the holding
of the municipal election in Baltimore, re-
gistry was made. and as far as they were
known, the names of rebels were omitted,
and as the Judges and Clerks of elections
in the city are appointed by the police Com
missioncrs, who are Union men, it can
readily be imagined that few of that class
were permitted to vote Recently it was
claimed that a new registry should be made
for the Fall election, the object being to reg
lister the excluded classes, but, the question
eral of the State, that official decided that
another registry is not required. In the
meantime Gov. Swan, who was elected by
the Union party, abandoned his friends, and
application was, therefore, made to him. for
the removal of the Police Commissioners,
on charge of misconduct, the law creating
the Board providing, that 'for official mis-
conduct any of said Commissioners may be
removed by concurrent vote of. the two
Houses of the General Assembly, (which in
like manner elects them, or by the Govern
or during the recess thereof. The Com
missioners deny the jurisdiction of the Gov
ernor, and say they are ready to be tried by
a competent tribunal. The Governor, on
the other hand, claims that he has jurisdic-
ton, and had determined to proceed in the
case at an early day.
If the present Commissioners could be re-
removed, and others appointed who would
select Judges and Clerks of elections that
would permit all the returned Rebels to vote
on the 9th of November, it is thought by
the Democrats that they could defeat the
Union nominees for the Assembly, prevent
the ratification of the Amendment to the
Federal Constitution, and elect johnson
ite to the United States Senate in place of
Hon. j. j. Cresswell; and as Gov Swan
himself is an aspirant for the place, he has
joined heartily with the Rebel sympathizers
in their movement against the Commission
ers. The charges against the latter are triv-
ial, not sufficient to justify such course,
but as Gov Swan is an obstinate and un-
scrupulous man, he will probably. after hear
ing the testimony, order the removal
On Friday last, the examination of wit
nesses was commenced, and it is thought a
decision will be reached to-day If, as is ap-
pretended, a removal will then be ordered,
it does not necessarily follow that any serious
consequences will ensue. The Commission
ers will likely refuse to deliver up the books
and papers, when, if the Governor pursues
the same course that was taken in a similar
case in New York, he will serve maanda-
mus upon them, and thus bring the matter
before the proper Court, where the Com
missioners have expressed their willingness
to answer the charges preferred against
them. IT, on the other hand, Gov Swan is
determined to bring about a collision that
may involve, not only Baltimore, but the
whole State of Maryland. and perhaps the
General Government, in conflict of arms.
he can do so by attempting with the militia
ry power to enforce his decree.