Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1866-10-23
TIE BALrIMoRI IMBRoGLIo.

lAobo0bkO.
As the difficulty between Gov. Swami, Of
Maryland, and the Police Commissioners, 10 be-
coming serious, and seems likely, unless bet
ter counseIs prevail, 70 eliminate in al ap-
peal to force, We propose for the Information
of our readers TO briefly and dispassionately
review the history of the case, divesting IL il
possible from the false colsring of party PREM.
dice When the Federal Government in tbs
Hrs: year of the great rebellion, was forced BY
the hostile attitude Of Baltimore, to take armed
possession OF the city, some earnest Union men
were found, but they were q small minority
of the people. The various Offices, Federal,
STATE, and municipal were bestowed upon
these few faithful ones, and they were secure
IN their places. as long as the necessity
for military occupation of the city contin ued
Anticipating the restoration Of civil authority
and the withdrawal Of the military, they took
steps 70 guard against surrender Of their
local government into the hands Of a treason
able majority, DIV the passage Of a law which
disfranchised more than three-f ourths OF the
former voters. They also passed act pro-
yidiDg for the punishment of parties as trail
tors who might venture to offer resistance to
the State authorities, and gave TO the Gov
ernor, in certain contingency, the power to
control the police force of Baltimore, by pro-
viding that s.For Official misconduct any of
the said Commissioners may be removed by
concurrent vote of the two Houses of the Gen
eral Assembly, or by De Governor during the re-
cess Aereof." r.- r.-
AT the recent mayoralty election in Balti-
more, the number of votes cast was decidedIx
small for city Of such magnitude; in fact. NOT
more than one-seventh of the total vote, il IN.
qualif cations had been the same az thew were
previous TO the war. How much of the falling
OF in the vote Is owing to the Legislation We
have referred to above, and how much
TO unfair construction of the law, or
partial administration of its provisions
we are unable 10 decide. At sny rate
a memorial was presented to Gov Swami
by 4,9S7 of the citizens OF Baltimore complain.
ing of the action Of the Police Commissioner
in the late Mayoralty election, and makipy
certain charges of Official misconduct ny.inst
them. The Governor. who has acted with
great prudence and moderation in the matter
could do no more ner less than examine into
the truth of these charges, and summoned
Messrs Hindes and Woods TO appear before
him to answer charges preferred against them
by committee on Thursday last Thew re-
fused 10 appear in person, but their counsel
had an interview with the Governor at An
napshs yesterday. an account of which viii
be found elsewhere in our paper. They NO,
only desy the truth Of the charges against
them, but the jurisdiction OF the Cover
nor. he, on the contrary, asserts that il
Is BY the express provisions OF law that
he has authority TO adjud icate the case.
and as the "Boys in Blue and other orgsuiza.
tons purpose 10 sustain the Police Commits.
sioners IN resisting the authorities OF the STAT.
ana interference 10 threatened by combinations
In other States. he has issued a proclamation
to ''solemnly warn the leaders Of all such ills-
gal and revolu tionary combinations asaiost
fhe peace and dignity OF the State that, in the
event Of riot or bloodshed gro wing out of tbe,.
revolutionary proceedings, they will be held 70
the strictest accountability, and the power o,
tne state Will be exhausted to bring them to
prompt and uerited punishment"
So stands the matter at present. The onss-
tons at issue are legal ones, and their settIa-
men' should be LEFT to the proper tribunals
Any parties who force q connist will be suiItv
Of terrible crime.