Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1867-06-08
Gov. Wells, Of Louisiana, Removed
by General sheridan.

Oeneral pne1iubn lssueu an OTueI on LUCE
day the Sd inst, removing Governor Wells,
of Louisiana, from Office, and appointing
Thomas ]. Durant in his stead. Some time
ago the General deposed two rival boards
of Levee Commissioners, one Of which had
been appointed by Governor Wells and the
other by secession Legislature. The Gov.
thereupon obtained from the President and
Secretary of War au order requiring Gen.
Sheridan to withhold the execution Of his
order regarding the commissioners. This
order was as follows:
WAR DEPARTMENT,
+ lf WAsHrNeToN, June 8, 1867
Major General p. H. Sheridan, Ne,o Orleans: i:
Application having been made to the Pre-
sident of the United States, by the Governor
of Louisiana, and Others, for revocation oi
your order removing the Board OF Levee
Commissioners, and that the State autborl-
ties he permitted to proceed in the execution
of the State laws, the President directs that
all further proceedings be suspended until
further Instructions. You will please report
the facts in relation to your order, with the
reasons for giving it.
EDWIN M. STANTON,
Secretaryof War.
On the strength cf this interference with
the workings of the reconstruction law,
General Sheridan Immediately issued the
following order: ... .. ... ..r..'ii't
His Excellency the Governor of Louisiana,
J. Madison Wells, having made himself an
impeachment to the faithful execution of the
act of Congress of March 2, 1867, by directly
and indirectly impeding the General in com
mand in the faithful execution of the law, is
hereby removed from the office OF Governor
of Louisiana, and Mr. Thomas j. Durant APP
pointed thereto. Mr.. Duraut will be obeyed
and respected accordingly.
By command of Maj. Gen. P. II. Sheridan
... l GEORGE l.. Hoop,
Assistant Adjutant General.
General Sheridan, in reply to the Secretary
of War, gives his reasons for removing the
Levee Commissioners. He says the Louisia
ma Legislature last winter passed an ac
containing the old Levee Board in Office, Sc
that $4 900, 900 appropriated might be dis
bursed by board of rebellious antecedents
and adds ,n and 4i 'et .tt.
After the adjournment the Governor ap
pointed board of bis own, in violation .
this act, and made the Acknowledgements t.
General Sheridan that his object was to dis
burse the money in the Interest of his owl
party by securing for it votes at the time o
election The old board refused to turl
over its papers to the new board, and ap
pealed to General Sheridan to sustain it
which he would not Ndo, as the question
would then have gone to the courts ant
have taken year to decide. The State wa
then overfowed and poor people suffering
To abate this trouble and afford immediat
relief, which the honest disbursement of fou
millions would give, an order dissoiviL,
both boards was issued. '". -..tt
OF Governor Wells the General says:
;. say now unequivocally that Governo
Wells is a political trickster and disunior
ist.i / have seen him myself, when l frs
came to this command, turn out all tb
Union men who supported the Government
and'put in their stead rebel soldiers, som
. of whom had not dotted the gray uniform
have seen him again, during the July rc
>, of 1866, skulk away where could not fin
him guard, instead of coming out as
manly representative of the State and ioir
/ ing those who were desirous of preservin
! the peace. have watched him since, all
/ his conduct has been as sinuous as the mar
left in the dust by the movement of snak
| say again that he is dishonest, and dishol
esty is more than must be expected of m
r General Sheridan also issued orders on ii
: Sd inst, removing the Street COMMISSIONS
and appointing William Baker in his plac
The cause of the removal is neglect of dut
and the uncleanly condition of the city.