New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1869-05-23

AnOse Vi Uranu LeVee, bayou AaiouIVno
and the Where Plantation are the most
formidable. They have not yet been
closed, and probably can not be until the
water is much lower. As the river is fall
ing all the way down from St. Louis, we
hope no more breaks will occur. An over
flow similar to that of 1867, would be q
serious calamity.
The case against Thomas P. May, charged
with converting money belonging to the
United States to his own use, came up for
trial in the District Court this week, and
was disposed of on Thursday. The jury
rendered verdict of "not guilty" On Fri
day the case against W. R. Whitaker, Mays
successor in the Office of Assistant Treas
urer, came on, and lasted two days. Mr..
Whitaker was charged with being de-
faulter to large amount. We published
all the testimony offered in both cases.
Mr.. Whitaker was also acquitted.
We have had to record the occurrence of
brisk little riot in Jefferson City during
the week. About half dozen designing
men, wishing 10 continue their lease of
power, determined TO resist the enforce
ment of the Metropolitan police law, and
for this purpose infamed the minds of
several hundred poor dupes to create riot
GUS disturbances when the Superintendent
sent detail of men to police the city. OF
course the instigators of the trouble took
themselves out .Of harms way, and left
their followers to brave all the danger. It
is very singular and unfortunate habit
some OF our people have fallen into to
resist by force every law of the State that
does not suit their views and interests.
The old rule that law must be obeyed
until it has been repealed or declared null
by the courts has been reversed, and no law
is obeyed until its validity has been settled
affirmatiVely by all the tribunals from a
justice of the peace to the Supreme Court.
Such a state of affairs is not cred
table to the community, nor compliment
airy to the lawyers who sdvise such hope
less litigation. 1t is worthy of observation
tn at the Opposers of the law have been
beaten in every trial. The expense to the
taxpayers in these costly suits will be
very large, and would lead conscientious
len to pause and reflect before squander-
ing other peoples money for objects so
hopeless. But our Democratic cials
play their game desperately, resolved to
hold on as long as it is physically possible,
regardless of the cost to the people.
Mayor Conway has held his election,
W hich has turned out to be very feeble
affair. Not one-fourth of the vote OF the
city was polled, and the majority candi-
dates will have to rest their claims to being
ele cted upon the suffrage of about one
eighth of the registered citizens. But
what they lack in moral strength they make
up in hardihood, and will struggle for
place so long as they can move a
finger. To admit these minority can
didates, thus selfappointed, into the Coun-
Gil as legally elected members woull
be simply ridiculous. We hardly antici-
pate that they will succeed. The result has
visibly disappointed the regular old line
Democrats. Their candidates were OUT
voted in the ward meetings by the more
recent converts from Know Nothingism,
who, like all proselytes, were more Jealous
than the originals, and succeeded in Sc
curing the spoils. 1t is not in human ma
ture that the Germans and Irish should
vote for their old prosecutors and oppres-
sors, and they did not. Being, however,
without organization, and not yet quite
bold en- ough TO join the Republicans, they
have no recognized position in our local
politics. The new-light Democrats look
upon them as a veteran reserve corps TO
call upon for assistance in desperate fight,
but deny to them the fruits of the victory.
The death OF Senator Francois seals
another chapter in the history Of Louisiana
ruff anism. 1t will be remembered that
short time ago he was assailed in his own
store by the Sheriff of St. Martin and his
brother, aided by others of their stripe. He
was beaten with clubs as long as his assas-
sins could stand the exertion, and left to
die. He was subsequently removed to this
city, where he died on Friday of lockjaw,
occasio ned by his excruciating pains.
It looks as though we were not done with
litigation yet. The city yesterday sued out
a writ of injunction against the Police Com
missioners, virtually forbidding them from
app ointing their own officers. The case
will be tried before Judge Cooley. AS
every decision he or any other judge has
made adverse to the legality of the Metro
politan act has been set aside, it is barely
possible he may decide the present contest
accor ding to the law as laid down by the
Supreme Court. 1t is not pleasant thing
for a Judge to see the record of the SUI
preme Court full of decisions setting aside
his own as utilities. We hope bis judicial
pride will save him from further humiliation.
A COMPLETE FAILURE.