The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1866-11-05
THE TROUBLE I'm BALTIMORE
COY. sWANN's DECISION.

BALTIMORE, november 4.-Gioyernor SwAfN pro-
nounced his decision in the case Of tho Baltimore
Police Commissioners this morning at ten o'clock.
He removed the Commissioners. His decision is a
lengthy document, covering some thirty pages of
manuscript. The following are the main points in
the document The Governor says:
have duly considered tho charges which have
been preferred by certain citizens Of baltimore
who were denied the right to vote at the lato mu-
nicpa! election for Mayor and members Of the City
Council, against the Police Commissioners, in con-
nection with the testimony submitted for my guild
ance in the case md have arrived at conclusions
which shall proceed briefly to state. The refusal
investigation to appear before the Governor upon
his summons to answer the charges Of misconduct
In othce, look upon as an offence for which they
ther inquiry into the evidence of official miscon-
duct in the late election.
1t is true that the Commissioners, through their
counsel, have to some extent retraced their steps
and announced their willingness to appear and an
swer any questions the Governor might have tc
Propound But 1 do not understand that they
they still adhere. Fhoir action in declining ne tan tore
spond to the summons of the Governor places
them in the attitude Of State officers made BY tho
contempt the power specifically delegated to him
by the Legislature, and the still higher power con-
ferred by the twelfth section Of the twentieth ar
laws be faithfully executed. How is the Governor,
It may DO asked, representing the sovereignty OF
the State, to discharge an imperative duty imposed
bellious officers setting his authority at defiance
and denying bis right to hold them accountable
for official y, or papsbe violation Or
these Commissioners with almost absolute power,
fearful in it's scope in the hands Of designing mon,
without check Somewhere to protect the public
such thing The State Of Maryland Is at this very
moment threated with in invasion by armed hofdes
rom from other States M Military erganizstons have
and ayoWed purpose OF resisting the authority of
the laws: No single step, 30 far asT am informed,
up to this time, has been taken by the Police
rebellion now threatening, and to excite riot and
bloodshed among our people. It is vol known
that go far as the action OF the Governor is CON
revolutionary proceedings. Is the Governor, to
whom those officers are made directly responsible
by the laws, to rest quiet and see the laws Of the
State invaded by armed reyolutionists in compiled
ty with those whom the Police Board are oncourag.
ing by their apathy, and made effort to protect
the dignity OF the State against insult and out
rageP But the Legislature did not leave to impli-
cation this power OF the Police Commission in the
discharge OF their official duties Slate officers
The Governor then proceeds to review the law
governing his action, and proceeds to argue that
the exclusion OF the newy registered voters at the
ran voa}Ran es hsT D the G
nation Of the judges of tho election all radical in
their procliyites, with two exceptions, pro-
daced @ a most m unfayorable impression upon my
in Office. Entertaining. the intolerant view that
loyalty resided only with those who support their
policy, is it not o reasonable inference that they
would claim, in the absence Of any instructions
from the Police Commissioners, who refuse to In
terfere, to challenge the votes of all who do not
come up to their standard? they ignore the OBJ
30 plainly pointed out by the law surely it would
be creator stretch Of authority to go behind the
s Gna Whom sney please as aegai
law, and the various decisions under it and the
ELECTION @ laws, and sums up as follows: i
that the Police Gommissioners @ haTS yoiated the
law, and rendered themselves liablo TO the charge
OF misconduct in office by creating and permitting
ploty, violent partisan organization, treating ali
as disoyal who do not adopt the views Of the Radi
cal mPa party IT, -. o,,,, 49, - :. ,,, - =.
The Governor Of the State cannot shrink from
his duty to the people. The threats Of armed CON-
binations ut homo, Of inyasions from other States
to oyerturn our laws, could hardly be expected to
deter him for single moment from the unflinoh-
ing exercise of oil the functions with which ho has
been clothed. The people Of the State Of Mary
less 80 because conservative in their sentiments,
officers after full exanfnatons into their qualifea-
and all, and thoir names entered upon the official
registry as legal voters. They arc adjudged to be
SO BY our highest tribunal They ask at tho hands
q powerful partisan combination under tho control
of tho Police Commissioners; not powerful in num-
bers but because OF tho authority which they hnye
heretofore exercised under thor commissions from
the State, claiming that there is no loyalty but in
the extreme Radical party, and turning deaf oar
to the demands o. any other class Of our citizens.
In the discharge Of my official duties in this
that the authority Of the State is maintained
In the interest of the whole people, IF the laws are
Objectionable, the Legislature which made them,
and not the Governor, is responsible. He is the
executive. and not tho law-malipg powor. He
would bring disgrace upon the State if ne should
do injustice to the humblest citizen. The appeals
to the returned veterans by weak and thoughtless
to raise the standard Of rebellion against the
constituted authorities OF the State cannot fail to
all order-oving citizens Of whatever political party
They would be doing here, IL they needed such nd
vice (Which am sure they will not) lust what they
have been fighting to rebuke in Che rebellious
States. The first shot fired upon tho American fng
in the hands OF the recognized authorities OF this
State, besides snbjecting them to the severest
penalties Of the law, would Cause the laurels
past to fade and wither In their hands. They
win not, am sure permit themselves to be lured
from their path Of duty ns law-abiding otizons
BY impnlsiye and reckless leaders swhen ,they
have the courts always open to their grievances.
While to them ! speak in the language OF
friendly admonition and sinoorest regard, cannot
oheractorze with too much indignation the ihtru-
sion into Maryland to Intervene 10 her domestic af
fairs OF d well-known revolutionst and agitator
5sop ne sp a. mad!oluing State who repudiased already
ssE Tia wicked Sas Attempt 70 % e9oiss