American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1866-11-07

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that may be brought against them.
If this version of the course resolved
upon by the Board is correct, direct
conflict of authority arises between the
Governor and the Board, aud the Cover
nor will probably proceed with the inves-
tigation in their absence. Whether the
counsel ofthe Board will take any further
part in the matter we are not informed.
The committee who presented the
memorial for the removal of the Board,
headed by George w. Herring, it is an
nounced, are also summoned to appear
! before the Governor at the Executive
Chamber this morning. There will,
therefore, doubtless be large attendance
at Annapolis to-day of the friends and
opponents Of the Board.
1t is understood that about one hund-
red and twenty affidavits have been laid
before his Excellency, probably half
dozen of which contain vague charges Of
rather a personal character against the
Police Commissioners These have been
taken before several magistrates, who,
doubtless, are expecting a roappointment
in view of their valuable services in this
connection, many of the documents bear
ing palpab!e evidence of having been en-
tirely drawn up by these irreproachablc
officials. The bulk of the afidavits, it is
understood, embraces charges against the
judges Of the recent election, because of
their having acted upon tide interpreta-
ton given to the law by the highest law
ficer OF the State, at the request of
Governor Swami Many of these recon-
structed southern sympathizets" seem
highly indignant at what they term a dis
regard of their ''tcarcst rights" after.
somO of them have perjured themselves
in order to secure its exercise for the
purpose of rewarding traitors and their
allies.
The Boys in Rlge" and the members
of the several Union Leagues were busi-
ly engaged in canvassing the city on Sat
urday, and enrolling the names of such
of our loyal citizens as pledged Themselves
to support the city authorities in resisting
Mr.. Swann's interference.
On Saturday evening an enthusiastic
meeting of the committee appointed on
Friday evening assembled at the rooms
of the Unconditional Union Central Com
mittce to report the result of their days
work. Gen. Woolly presided, with Col
Smith as Secretary. Over five thousand
men were reported as ready and willing
to sustain the Commissioners in the dis
charge of their duties aud for the pre-,
scrvatiou of the peace and good order of
the city. The men who defended Mary
land at Antietam and Gettysburg are not
willing now that the victory then gained
shall be thrown away at this time.
It's said that Majof General John r.
Kenly. Major General Dcnnison aud
Brigadicr General Woolly have all visit
ed the Mayor and Commissioners, and
rendered their Sc: vices in any capacity.
Governor Swami renamed in the city
all day yesterday, and will go to Annapo-
lis this morning. He was in consulta-
ton yesterday with Ex Gov. Pratt, Outer
bridge Hersy, and J. Dixon Roman.
Hon. Reverdy johnson has given the
following opinion on the subject:
BALTIMORE, October 20, 1866.-To
Messrs. Alfred D. Evans, j. s. Shiplcy
aud H. Z, Dulauy,-Gentlemcn Your
note of yesterday is received. 1 regret
that professional engagements, which l
an noy discharging, and which promise
to occupy all of the coming week, put it
out of my power to act as counsel in the
matter you refer to.
In compliance with verbal request of
one of you members, proceed briefly to
state my opinion on the legal question
the matter presents.
Has the Governor, ia the recess of the
General Assembly, the power to remove
the Police Commissioners of the city for
"official misconduct? 2" l have ne doubt
that he has.
The words of the law are so plain as
to admit of but one construction. The
duties of the board are prescribed, and
to guaid against failure to perform them
"a contingency that might happen), the
law say s, "for official misconduct, any of
the said commissioners may be removed
by a concurrent vote of the two houses of
the General Assembly, or by the Gov
ernor during the recess thereof"
This is the only provision on the sub
ject The offence guarded against is
"official misconduct" The penalty for
1T is not fine or imprisonment, bnt re-
moval from Office alone, and the authori-