Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1866-11-05
BALTIMORE.
The Police acknowledgements
of the New York Press.

New YORK, November 1.-The 1rib-
une has the following comments on the
Baltimore difficulty
Governor Swami concluded the trial
Of the police commissioners Wednesday
night and removed them Thursday morn
ing. To-day we print his decision in
full with wonder that so elaborate and
long a document could have been so
speedily prepared. 1t looks very much
as IL the decision was made before the
trial was ended. The Governor has
made but brief review Of the evidence,
and there is no connection between his
argument aud the act of removal We
have carefully examined the evidence on
the part OF the government with that Of
the defense and cannot see how any res
pectible lawyer could conscientiously
say that the charges bad been proved.
From the first il is apparent that Gov
ernor Swami had made up his mind that
the commissioners should be removed,
and no evidence in their favor could
have changed him His own words have
made it plain that the trial, over which
he presided, was farce and mockery
and that they were not summoned 10
Annapolis 10 be tried but to be con-
demned.
The Times remarks: Throughout the
preliminary state Of the affair, and in
the midst Of much excitement, the con-
duct of Gov. Swami was eminently
proper. The threats Of demagogues he
met with a quiet declaration of his re-
l. Ivt. 10 al IF -
authority elected cothing but an affirma-
ton of his right and of his desire to
know no partisanship in the conduct Of
the inquiry. Some of the remarks with
which be opened the trial sound some
what at variance with his profession Of
strict impartiality. An announcement
of a purpose to act without reference TO
legal technicalities sounds unpleasant in
connection with a case which should be
governed by the form as well as the spirit
Of law. His avowed intention to limit
the proceedings to days inspection OF
requirements that might be developed
during the trial certainly looked one
sided. While the assurance that he
should act promptly in accordance with
his decision tended to excite an appre-
hension that he had already in some de-
gree made up his mind without waiting
for formal evidence.
The Sun says the order Of the Cover.
nor will be carried out and q new police
department will be organized. The
Governors decision in the case is au-
thoritative and can be legally set aside
only by the Judiciary 1t matters not
whether there was sufficient evidence or
not to warrant HIS action He has acted
in accordance with his lawful authority
and the police commissioners have nc
right to defy his decision. The only
course which they can properly pursue
is TO peacably give up the police depart
ment and then seek redress for their al
legged wrongs 10 the courts. They have
no justification whatever for defying th'
order Of the Governor. and the attitud,
which they have assumed will gain then
but little sympathy.
The Post says as follows: To push mat
tiers to extremes, to make q dead lock, 4
appeal to arms and threaten with vic
lence, force and bloodshed, when an al
fair can be conducted pesceably, whei
the Courts are open and their decision
will afford all necessary remedies, al
this is 10 inhict a serious injury on tn
State and society, and to help make FREE
governments difficult, and, in the end
impossible. Governor Swami has no
done wisely to run TO Washington witt
his complaints, as though the Fedora
Government were king or a dry nurs'