The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-10-13
rr....s As.,..s N. A.s,.. OF Baker.
NEW ORLEANS, Oct. IL. 1865


His Excel,ency H. c. warm,th. Governor Of Leuisiana:
Sri have the honor very respectfully to state
that for the past three days our ONCE for the re-
gistraton Of voters has been closed By the order
of the chairman, Mr.. Baker. and the books
Judge clifford and myself from performing the
duties for which we we're appointed, simply rom
the fact that We. majority of the board, differed
in our opinion Of Law with the remaining member
demanded Of us q faithful performance Of our
duties, and that under no pretext whstever should
the board be closed. We applied to the honorable
Sixth District Court to place Us IN possession OF
second ward could be registered. We Will be In
the possession of the office tomorrow morning.
was appointed supervisor Of the Board OF
Registration, together with Seth w. Lewis and e.
Clifford, for the second ward. On the opening OF
and the Instructions Issued BY the Board Of Regis.
tration appertaning thereto. Judge Clifford and
myeelf, although differing in opinion with the
decision Of the Board Of Registration IN regard 70
the Third, Fourth, Fifth, sixth and Seventh Dis
trict Courts Of the city between July and No
ion, presuming that they were the imperative
orders Of the board. Feeling, however, that our
position was not q tenable one. we addressed Mr.:
Baker note, calling his attention to the case, and
asking whether that opinion was pesiuve
order. ...5,-. a.
he replied in singularly non-committa man.
ner, but insisted verbally that the .'opinion" of
the board was the law; thereby throwing the
burden and costa upon our shoulders, whilst he
could, when be pleased, evade all responsibility
in the matter by his shrewdly non committal in
structions. Judge Clifford was dismissed for the
similar ofIense, without any pretext Of law. for
simply carrying out what he conceived to be the
spirit Of the law. We have taken this stand that
we have no authority to ait In Judgment upon the
solemn judgment Of court. II there is any lille.
gality, there is higher tribunal than the Board Of
Supervisors Of Registration, or Of Mr.. William
Baker himself. to appeal to, and in disregarding
these judgments we render ourselves liable to
contempt Of court and its consequences.
IL Mr.. Baker flor the two remaining members OF
the board seem to be cyphers) suffered the liaoi-
the point and agitate the community by the merest
bubble OF law, that admits Of no doubt, and
which is of no earthly benefit 70 the Republican
party; to the contrary, keeping the people In q
ferment of excitement, simply TO carry out some
scheme Of his own
His position is wrong, calculated to do harm,
and II persisted In will result In trouble.
The Instructions unfortunately are too broad.
too liable to misinterpretation. In occupying the
position Of supervisor of registration, presumed
that the law itself and these instructions In con-
formity TO law were to be my guidance, and not
simply the opinion Of Mr.. Baker.
rigid and careful Investigation Of the law
allows to all who are entitled to it the privilege. OF
being registered; the NODES the forms, the de.
tails, are prescribed. Can he BY the simple dash
OF bis pen deprive our foreign Dorm pOpuiatlOu OF
their voter When and for how long has he been
autocrat and supreme Judge Of the State Of Lou.
isiana? ASH do not consider him TO be such, and
81 I could not conscientiously act under his
opinion, having one OF my own, the Office has been
closed against me, and i am prevented in per.
forming my duties. / cannot recognize the au-
thority of such highhanded proceedings, and de.
msnd of your excellency an impartial consider.
alton.
This Is no time for agitation all men are sensi-
tive upon their rights, and the right Of sudr age s
dear to all. K there Is doubt, let the Board OF
Supervisors shoulder the doubt and grant the
yote-we cannot afford to raise issues which are OF
no earthly benefit, and more particularly when
the supervisors are made the scapegoats Of men
who have not had the manness to shoulder the
responsibility themselves.
An open, Straightforward course Is much better
calculated to make friends than the one they have
persisted In.
So long as the board Is controlled by the present
chairman so long will there be q lack Of conf
dence among the people.
Think well, your excellency, upon whom NAV
rest the responsibility the supervisors, the Board
ofRegstrstion, or upon the executive Of the State
of Louisiana!
You have made the remark that you were the
governor of the Safe Of Louisiana and her entire
peopIe-not simply that Of one party-watct
then the interests of the people, and see thai
Justice, Truth and Confidence" are enforced.
Your excellency's most obedient servant,
JAS. G. KERsHAw,
Supervisor Second Ward.