The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-03-11

United states ana Prussia secretary seward was
on the floor Of the Senate when arrived consulting
with Mr. Sumner. On motion Of the latter the
Senate Immediately went into executive session,
when the treaty was referred to the Committee on
Foreign Relations.
Our Territorial Acquisitions.
Washington despatch to the Erentn0 Telegram,
states that the Senate yesterday ordered the Alto
vala papers to be printed. This Is claim OF the
United States to an exceedingly valuable guano
island discovered and developed by citizens Of this
country Seven years ago the President OF st. Do.
mingo intending then TO make st. Domingo Span
ish slave colony, drove our nag and people from the
island by force OF arms The act of Congress makes
this island an appendage of the Union. st. Domingo
has never made any claim to the island except what
was asserted by force; but Mr. Seward, 1t scharged
has set up claim which he has attempted to main-
tain by suppressing official documents and making
statements wholly untrue. 1t is charged that he pro-
mulgated solemn and deliberate Official untruth to
keep the claimants from appealing to the Presi-
dent for review OF his inexpcabe conduct The
motive for his action is unknown but he is freely
cused Of acting in the interest of foreign country
for private reasons not at all creditable.
The Reorganization of the Treasury Depart
nent.
There Is an impression among many Of the officials
connected with the Treasury Department that the
brecenty introduced In the Senate for the reorgani
cation Of that office will be passed during this
SION It Is represented that the utmost necessity
exists for its passage and that unless the be
accomplished the services Of some of the most vau
able employees in its service here will be lost
account of inadequacy of compensation.
The Renewal Of Municipal Officers Of New
Orleans.
General Grant to-day transmitted to the House of
ton to the removal OF certain members Of the City
Councils Of New Orleans. 1t appears from the papers
that thesemembers joined In a memorial in which,
among other things, they said they were removed by
special order for having proceeded to hold election
for Register Of New Orleans, in contempt Of orders
from the headquarters OF General Hancock. They
remark, when General Sheridan reconstructed the
City Councils he did act OF justice TO the newly
enfranchised citizens OF Louisiana and Of the United
States by appointing few representatives OF
their race as members Of the Common Council.
BY removing the aforesaid members not, single re-
preventative OF that numerous class Of newly made
citizens remains to defend their rights and interests
of the government Of city to the prosperity in
which their labor, capital and industry so largely
contributed.
On the 21st of February Major General Rawlings,
Chief of STAFF, wrote to Major General Hancock, by
General Hancock's letter in response to telegram
from the General commanding the army, dated the
9Th ult, in the matter Of the removal of certain
Aldermen end Assistant Aldermen Of the city Of New
Orleans for contempt OF military order. He also
acknowledges the receipt Of the memorial of said
Aldermen and Assistant Aldermen. General Raw
lings says in conclusion, after setting forth
all the facts in the case:-"On assuming
command of the district you announced in
General Order No. 49, dated November 20,
1867, that 1t was your purpose to preserve
peace and quiet in your command, and
that as means to this great need you regard the
maintenance Of the civil authorities In the faithful
execution OF the laws as the most efficient under ex
listing circumstances. Also that when the civil
authorities are ready and willing to perform their
duties the military power should cease to lead and
the civil administration resume its natural and
righfu dominion. Under this state OF facts the City
Councils OF New Orleans might reasonably have pre-.
sumed 1t to be their right and duty, especially under
the order of the court and your order No. 49, to fill
the vacancy in the office of Register. 1t
appears they did from your report Of
this case, dated February 49, 1868. The
same fact, too, in connection with the
printed proceedings embraced in your report Of
February 49, 1868, precudes the presumption Of any
intended contempt Of the military authority by the
members of the City Councils. The case Of the Jeer
son City Councils is not deemed a parallel one In
this, that they had not their own unquestoned acts
in similar cases nor the order Of the department
commander to justify them. There being no con-
tempt Of military authority intended by the Boards
OF Aldermen and Assistant Aldermen Of New Or
leans, relieved by Special Order No. g. dated in
February, and proper administration OF the Recon-
struction acts not requiring their removal said special
order removing the Aldermen and Assistant Alder
men therein named and the appointment of others
I'm their stead is hereby disapproved and revoked,
and the members OF such Boards Of Aldermen and
Assistant Aldermen removed by 1t are hereby rein
stated and viii resume their duties as Aldermen and
Assistant Aldermen OF the city Of New Orleans the
same as il said order had not been issued lou will
please carry this into erect"
On the 9th Of February Major General Hancock
teegraphed to General Grant, saying what he did
was adopted after grave elaboration, and as he be-
lieved was the result OF necessity imposed upon
him which could not have been avoided without
disregard of the interests OF the public service and
OF the obligations imposed upon him by the Recon-
struction act and by the order OF his predecessor
After explaining ut length the state of the case he
concludes by sayng:-"I conceive no violence was
done to the principles enumerated and declared
when gave effect TO the order OF my predecessor
and restrained the members Of a municipal body
gave them any authority. entertain serious appre-
hension OF the revocation Of my ORDER and the rein
statement OF the Council removed by me will he
injurious the public interest and increase the en-
barrassment under which the command is now la
boring. Your order viii be Immediately executedn
General Grant, In a letter dated February rs, ad-
dressed to Major General Hancock says:-'srhere
was nothing in my order which doubted your author
ity to make removals and appointments when the
public exigency required 1t. ! only exercise an
authority given to me rs General Of the Army under
which law both of us find our authority TO act in
these matters. Your order Of removal was based on
certain charges which did not think were sustained
by the facts as they were presented
Major General Hancock, on the 27th OF February,
wrote to Adjutant General Thomas as follows.-
GESERAL--T have the honor to transmit copies OF