The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-03-11
POLITICAL TROUBLES IN LOUISIANA.

Differences Between state and City Au-
thOrities-GOvernOr Wells Recognizes
the Recon structIOn BnI-MayOr Mon
roe and HIS Police Oppose Him-Dan-
ger OF Resort to Violence at the EIec-
tiOn TO-day-Gen. Sheridan Prepared
for the Emergency.-Later; The Elec-
tiOn POstpOned-AIl Quiet.
WASHINGTON, March IO.-Advices received
here from New Orleans indicate that the situa-
tion the re is critical, and that riot tomorrow
may be imminent. General Sheridan has made
every preparation that the emergencies of the
case demand, and will probably be able to avert
the threatened difficulty. Two new regiments
of colored troops the lst Regular Infantry. and
one old regiment of colored troops, two bate
ries OF artillery, and a battalion of cavalry,
comprise the force at his command
MaiOr-General Joseph Mower, formerly of the
Twentieth Corps, Army Of Georgia, General
Kautz, OF cavalry lame, and General Baldy, are
all in New Orleans, and Will be on duty in case
their services are required. The immediate
cause tor the anticipated outbreak is a conflict
between the municipal and State authorities.
Governor Wells, claiming authority under the
Sherman Reconstruction bill, which provides
that the present State Governments of the South
shall be deemed provisional only, has issued
proclamation virtually declaring himself to be
Military Governor of the State, and has regis
tered an oath of office before the United States
District Court to that effect.
In the same proclamation he orders that the
police and parochial officers shall obey the
authority OF no one but General Sheridan
himself, and the Recorders of the Municipal
Courts.
The Recorders although elected by the
people. have submitted to Governor Wells de-
cision regarding his authority under the Re-
construction bill, and will therefore execute
his orders.
The other municipal authorities however, do
not submit TO 1t, and the Mayor, John T.
Monroe, and the Chief of Police, Colonel
Thomas Adams, have ordered the police force
to obev no orders that are not issued through
hut hon, To -hQl Ot tha ifv
Council are TO be elected, and one.half of the
other city officers. Mayor Monroe is among
those who hold over, his term of office not eX-
piring till next year. Governor Wells, IN his
proclamation, orders that the freedmen enlran-
chised under the Reconstruction bill shall vote,
and that the class disfranchised by its pro-
visions shall not vote.
The old State law, adopted by loyal Leg1s.
! lature under the Banks Convention Constitution,
pToVides TOR registration of all voters, and that
| the registry shall be closed three days before
! the day of election. Mayor Monroe claims that
this law is still in force because no official copy
| of the Reconstruction bill has been published
in the State; and that even If 1t had, the regis
! try could not be changed. He asserts also that
/ Governor Wells is usurping authority in order
! ing that the polls shall be opened to freedmen
! or closed against those he deems to be legally
registered voters. Thus the Recorders Oh
! Police Justices and Governor Wells are pitted
against Mayor Monroe in striving to obtain con
troll of the election. If one of the parties is
desperate enough to appeal to force, to prevent
the other from carrying out its plans, blood will
flow prOfusely.
1t is understood that General Sheridan has
! received orders from Washington to suspend the
election, if necessary, in which case trouble
will be avoided. In any event, he is ready fol
| anything that may turn up
In addition to the above we have the follow
ING from the Associated Press, reported at New
| 0rleans;-
''TrOuDle being anticipated in case the mum
cipal election is allowed 10 be held on Monday
General Sheridan has issued orders that no poll
be opened, and that the day of election be post
poned until a District Commander, under the
law, is appointed, or special instructions are re
ceived covering the case.'