Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1866-10-30

the other papers.
ne The Spectator, having about many sub
scribers as both of the other papers published in
this place it is to the interest of persons to ad-
artise in the SPECTATOR and it is the duty of those
who advertise for others to advertise in that pa
ner which has the largest circulation. 1t be-
comes the duty of agents, commissioners admin
istrators, executors, and all who are entrusted
with the interests Of others to advertise IN the
SPECTATOR, as it has much larger cIreula-
ton than any other paper published here.
Gov. Swami and the Police Commissioners.
We stated last week the fact that thousands
of the citizens of Baltimore had signed me-
mortal to Gov. Swami charging the Police Com
missioners with official misconduct, and that
the Governor had summoned the said Commits
sioners to appear before him on Monday, the
22nd inst. At the time designated, the Com
missioners did not appear IN person. but by
their counsel. Shortly after ten o clock on that
day-Monday, the according to previous
arrangement, the counsel for the Police Com
missioners, Thos. S. Alexander, Henry Stock
bridge, and A. Stirling Jr., Esqrs., appeared
in the Executive Chamber and in a few mo-
ments VIM. Schley and John Ell. B. Latrobe,
counsel for the people, presented themselves
and indicated their readiness to proceed with
the case in which they were engaged.
The proceedings were opened by Gov Swami
reading a hastily prepared paper in which he
stated his determination to make no compro-
mise with the Commissioners of Police and dis
tinctlv implied his resolve to hold to strict &C
countability all who incite or engage in armed
opposition to his action no matter, what it may
be.
Mr.. Stirling then read the response Of the
Police Commissioners to the notification from
Governor Swami. 1t is very lengthy docu-
ment, and not only endeavors to refute the
statements in the memorial, but suggests that
if an inquiry is to be made into the charges pre-
ferred against them, the proper course to be
pursued would be to refer these charges to the
law officers of the State for prosecution. Mr..
Schley remarked that this document was GER
tainly most extraordinary paper, and he was
unable to understand it. The question was one
somewhat insulting phrase at the close of the
reply of the Commissioners Messrs Alexan-
der and Latrobe then exchanged a few words,
when Governor Swami said that it was his opin-
ion that under the law it was his province to
hear the case, and decide upon alleged improp-
er conduct of State officers which Police Com
missioners are. He decided that he had juris-
diction. Upon this the counsel for the Com
missioners Immediately rose and left the cham
Der.
After the withdrawal of the counsel for the
Commissioners, Mr.. Latrobe said the question
ofjurisdiction having been disposed of, it re-
manned but to prosecute the charges against the
Police Commissioners. As lawyers they were
satisfied the decision was in accordance with the
law, and most thoroughly accorded in by the
counsel for the petitioners. Counsel had no
business to regard entirely the wishes of their
clients, if principle Of law is involved, but
that which is contained in the afidavits must
be attached to the records The Governor must
to the law.
The Police Commissioners were civil officers,
AID to show the authority of the Governor in
the case he read sections Is and Il of the 42nd
article Of the Code. Counsel had been under
the impression that when the notice was sent
to the Commissioners the witnesses had been
summoned, but it appeared they had not been
lie wonld advise the Governor to go into the
matter, as the time pressed and an election is
near at hand, and it might be that new Com
missioners might be to appoint and police
force to organize, so that it was desirable to 90
to work at once. He suggested Wednesday as
the day on which to hear the witnesses, as he
thought they could be summoned in time to ap-
pear On that day.
Governor Swami suggested that the counsel
might so through the mass of affidavits and Sc
lect such prominent testimony as is necessary,
and thus save the State considerable expense.
Counsel accepted the suggestion, and Mr..
Schley said the Police Commissioners might be
notified that they might produce such witnesses
as they might desire. If they did not choose
to attend, then they would alone be responsible.
But they should be treated with that respect
which their official position entities them to.
1t was then agreed that Wednesday should
be the day on which to take up the matter, but
subsequent arrangement postponed it until
Friday morning the Goth at ten O'Clock.
In consequence Of the inhammatory appeals
OF the Radical press, and the proclaimed fact
that thousands of Radicals were organizing
armed resistance to the legal authorities of the
State, and calling earnestly upon similar organ
lzatlons in Pennsylvania and other Northern
States to rush to the assistance of the reyolu-
tionists in Baltimore, on Monday, the 22nd,
Gov. Swami felt it his duty to issue the follow
ing proclamation:
STATE OF MARYLAND.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT.
Whereas it has come to the knowledge of the
Executive that military and other combinations
are now forming in the city of Baltimore for the
purpose Of obstructing and resisting the execu-
ton of the laws of this State;
And Whereas there is reason to believe that
similar combinations are attempted to be or
ganlzed in other States, with the intention of
invading the soil of the State of MARYLAND to