Vicksburg weekly herald. (Vicksburg, Miss.) 1868-1883, 1870-01-22

MR. EDnOR: The following pa
per was written many days ago,
but withheld, from a hope Of being
able to bring the matter TO q sue
cessful termination.
Having been appointed BY Gen.
Ames 10 the chief executive office
Of this city, and being DESTROYS Of
discharging oil It's duties honestly
and faithfully, I beg leave to place
before your readers the following
statement Of facts which | regard
as a fragrant outrage upon the in
terests aud rights Of our people.
Aud having done all | could to vim
dictate the laws Of the city, | wish
the public 10 investigate my acts
in behalf Of their interests and
TO pass such judgment aud sentence
on my conduct as may be COM
mensurate with justice. At the
last meeting of the Council, / COM
municated 70 that body the infor-
nation that Mr.. c. D. Landon,
Marshal of this city, entirely neg
lected aud refused to perform the
duties OF his Office, as we'll as per-
sistently disobeyed all orders l
had issued him in reference TO his
duties, and requested of them to
take such action in the matter
as wonld secure to the city some
service for the large compensation
he Is the recipient OF, more than
$50 in one month, mainly from the
city Treasury.
Ny statement to the Council was
predicated upon the following facts
Of which | was and still I'm cogni-
zant: First, that Mr.. Landon has
never personally performed any Of
the important duties of the office
he holds. He never attends the
Mayor'sE Court, and knows nothing
OF the amount Of fines imposed, or
money collected, which Is or ought
to be a matter Of considerable i'm.
portance 10 the financial interests
o. the city, but In as much as Mr..
Landon has never settled with the
Treasury since his appointment,
although he has been instructed
and ordered by me so to do, 1t as
yet remains a matter of uncertainty
what amount Mr.. Landon has col
lected for the city. Furthermore
that he is in the habit of absenting
himself from the city, and Of
remaining as long as his In
terest or inclinations might
suggest, Notwithstanding It is ex-
pressly laid down in our city laws
that the Marshal shall not leave the
city without the consent Of the
Mayor shall be first given him to
do so. This consent Mr.. LAndOn
las never either sought or received
from me. The Council after hear
ing my report in regard to the acts
and doings of the Marshal, asked
that a committee Of five be appoint.
ed from their body to investigate
the causes of the complaint l had
made against the Marshal, and af-
ter great aud patient labors at a
meeting of said committee, they
report that Mr.. LandOn dis
charged his duties as commenda-
bly, as any Of his predecessors.
Mr.. Landon was notified by me
that | would make the report to the
Council, before 1t was presented to
them. He was present, and In de-
fense of his carelessness aud deri-
LECTION, suggested that the duties Of
the office were discharged by
Capt. Edwards, Of the Police force.
Mr.. Edwards Is paid to do the du.
ties of his OlOn Office and not those
OF the Marshal, as the COMMITTEE
of FIVE are disposed to disbelieve.
In excuse for writing this article, |
wish to state that | am actuated by
a conscientious desire to do my
own duty and ensure O similar
course at the hands o fevery official
under me, and as the Taxpayers
and people Of our city have every
right aud reason to complain Of the
reckless manner In which the du-
ties Of an important Office are per-
formed, l simply wish ITO wash my
hands" of all blame, and let the con-
sequences attach to those upon
whom they should be placed.
Hope | may be pardoned In say
Ing 1t, since | say It not b~oastfully,
that l have done my duty, my
VhOle duty, In hours Of eminent
peril, without thought Of reward
or appreciation ; that can aud will
do 1t now.
EBEN SWIFT, Mayor.