New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1868-02-08
THn CIFY OOUNCIL,

aldermen Of the common council OF THIS
city. The reason assigned for this pro-
ceediug on the part Of the major general
commanding The 9Th military district VIII
hardly bear examination. "FUr proceed
ing 70 hold an election for recorder Of inc
second district in contempt Of orders from
headquarters" says General Hancock, lne
"aldermen and assistant aldermen Of the
CITY of New Orleans who voted fer ire
resolution are removed" The order.s for
which the aeposcd officials, according to
General Hancock, SHOWED contempt were
Issued by General Sheridan while in com
mana Of this district, in March, 1867, and
several months before the last reeonstrus-
I ton law was passed by congress.
The supreme court Of this state having,
after the most mature doliberasion, and
after repeated hearings, declared the Office
OF recorder Of the second district OF this
city vacant, and tho judgment Of this the
highest court in the state having become
fnal, a majority Of the members Of the
council, in strict accordance with the "civil
law" of the state-eoncerning which Cen
eral Hancock has had much 70 say
of late-voted 70 go into an election
to ell tho vacancy. This they were
required 10 do, as they conceived, by
the plain terms Of the city charter, which
they were solemnly sworn 10 faithfully OBJ
serve, aad by the practice in similar cases
since the passage Of the last act Of congress
on the subject Of reconstruction, both under
Generals Sheridan and Hancock. II is well
known that the council during the days Of
Sheridan elected many city officers in
deed, when applied 10 on the subject Cen
eral Sheridan expressed the desire that
the council should exercise all the powers
given 1t by the city charter. Even since
the arrival of General Hancock in
this city the council has elected
city oaicers-an attorney for in
stance-and General Hancock, devoted
as be was to the civil law took
no exception to the course pursued. We
have no doubt he has officially commune
Gated with the city attorney thus elected,
and found ne fanlt with the source or man
ner of bis election. 1t is not necessary TO
discuss the question as to whether or not
General Sheridan's order of March, 1867,
has been annulled by the subsequent legis-
lation Of congress, particularly the ninth
section Of the act of July, 1867, which
speaks Of "persons hereafter elected and
appointed to Office in said military districts,
under any so-called state or municipal au-
thoriiy," etc. Whatever doubts may ex-
Est 90 this subject, there can be no doubt
that the highsounding. finely -Worded
Democratic manifestoes issued by General
Hancock since his entrance into the rebel
society Of this city, and for which he has
received The mock thanks of the greatest of
all traitors, Andrew Johnson manifsstoes
FepIete with the praises Of aciyil law, 2 |
and declarations that the civil authorities |
should not be interfered with, but that
everything should go on precisely IS be-
fore the war-after all this, and 10 view Of |
an election of an important city official |
having taken place in his very presence,
as it were, there can be no doubt that
the conneilmsn charged with q
contempt Of the authority Of g these head
quarters" were ezcusablo fer.their action
in the matter complained OF, and we think
Gsneral HancOelK shows unnecessary sensi-
tiveness on the subject.
Il Is currently reported and believed in
Repubiiean circles that the reason assigned
for the removal Of one-half the council il a |
mere subierfugs, Those who are not 40,
quainled personally with The general, and
who have bad no opportunity to know his
entire frankness IN bis partisan move |
ments, labor under the belief that
his true reason for the removals |
was 20 ejest MI persons 81 color and those /
Usapscted Of cOlsF from municipal or /
pAsial position. This belief is strengthened
By the fact that by the change made 40 /
cOlored citizen now has seat in onr com
mon councilss General Hancock may not
kaye Intended 10 ignore this elass Of our
population IN looking nreuna fer members
0f the council, and injustice may BIZ dons
ham tn the current report concerninR bis
fselinas in this matter; but It viii be ex-
ceediBgly dfffisult for him to remove ibis
impression from tho minds al our
loyal people Il would have been
an easy matter for him, while
sesTehinB the dry for worthy men, to have
lound . large nunber Of coloFcd citizens
rminently titsea by their eatrictism, char
acser, intelligence, md wealth, to manage
our manicipal affairs; indeed Il would Be-
dlaienltto avoid the names Of such men 10
lopking over any list Of our worihier
eiiiaepe. Several Of the gentlemen newly
appointed are II every way cited fer tho
positions to which they hays been y.
Signed; ROBBERS Msiaou. in Instance, stands
AeoOnd to no man ID ssis eomnanisy
Coz sterling ipsesFisg and devotion 10
10 Republican eanse Others Of he
new appo;ntees are also Iasosahl5 l.hoqr
. saoa a-d patriOtic citizens; nhils some /
s sem. d5ubtiass, bats gyHnpasbis . viii
ne inhmeus rebellion. and are now or
o4ea 70 tbs esngI aionaI pIsn a aeeons
~ e'ozea sIsnsat = lnre uAlsf aysi
'sxss lnis &c elly treasury on millions 81
iQ'lers aaa Fhl1l includes mea % IN.