New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-12-08


vey tho mouth Of the Mississippi close the
message, which, taken altogether, is one Of
the ablest ever presented for the eonsidera-
ton Of Congress and the people.
The New City Attorney.
As explained by the REPUBLlcAn Of Sun
day, Mr.. Walsh. the City Attorney appoint
ed BY tho Governor, took quiet possession
Of his Office yesterday. without opposition
from Nj. Jonas. who was inadvertently
elected by the Council.
The comments Of the other city journals
are somewhat amusing as no two Of them
are alike. The Nnses details the case of
Go State vs.. II. J. Leovy, where
tho Supreme Court decided in favor
Of tho appointment Of J. +. Beck
with, and expresses no opinion. The Pc
ayu.ss talks of tho 'atrocious law" and the
desire Of the city government 70 dsobey it,
aud thus obtain Q City Attorney truly rep
sesentinp its interests" It is. however.
correct in the remark that "the position
Mr.. Walsh holds will render it extremely
difficult for the Council to dispossess him."
That is because he and the Governor fol.
lowed the law and the Council disobeyed it.
The Bulletin attempts facetiousness over
the matter, considering an obedience to the
city charter and the decisions Of the
Supreme Court "manifestiy untenable." 1t
suggests the office b. at once abolished, but,
to be consistent. suppose the Council were
to "abolish" the charter altogether. and
make new one to suit the Bulletin
On taking possession Of the office Mr..
Walsh addressed note to the Council
Stating the law and defining his position. Of
which the folio wing is copy:
orncx err, Ar4oRxsr.>
Rooms No. - City Hall.
New Orl. ans December :. 1874.
Hon. Charles J. Leeds. Mayor. and the Honorable
Board Of Administrators OF the City OF New
GENTLEMEN-Havingb been appointed by
the Governor Of Louisiana to the office Of
city attorney for the city of New Orleans.
made vacant by the resignation Of Hon.
George S. Lacey. and having been duly
commissioned and qualified as such. have
| taken charge OF the city attorneys Office.
and all the books, papers and archives be-
longing and appertaining thereto.
You are doubtless aware that when .
vacancy occurs in any municipal Office
arising from death. resignation or other.
wise, it is made the duty Of the Governor
TO appoint . suitable person to fill tho m.
expired term. See oIst An. Rsp.. page 53s.
State e1 rel. Attorney General vs. II. J.
Leovy. act No. q of the Legislature Of
1868; eection first. 25th An. Rep. page 34c.
Michel ". Campbell, Revised Statutes, sec.
1877, page 81; and under such circumstan.
>on vo,~ uiIl hoor 0il1inO eActimOnv tn mr.
right 20 the Office in question. Important
Interests Of the city require immediate at
tention in and ont Of the courts, and can
not be too earnest in my assurance of .
readiness to cooperate with the municipal
authorities in the material and other intey.
ests ~ tho municipality.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant.
H. II. WALSH. City Attorney.
What private deliberations the members
Of the city government had is not known
but AZ about half past two o'clock. Mayor
Leeds. accompanied by Administrators
Burke. Bouny. Brown. Pillsbury and Nc.
Csrthy, together with Mr.. Jonas appeared
in the Office OF the City Attorney.
Mayor Leeds then immediately informed
Mr.. Walsh that he had come 70 install Mr..
Jona. as the rightful possessor Of the Office.
Mr.. Walsh told the Mayor that he was
the City Attorney BY appointment Of the
Governor and did not propose TO vacate.
Mayor Leeds said he did not recognize
Governor Kellogg nor his power to ap-
point city attorney. That the Office was
one belonging to the city, the Council had
filed il and he proposed 70 install its
choice and would use force if necessary.
Mr.. Walsh sgain declined % give up the
Office, and Q whispered conversation eneued
between the Mayor and Administrator
Burke. Mayor Leeds then again made his
demand for Mr.. Walsh to retire, and ON his
again refusing became much excited. He
said that as Mayor Of the city he controlled
tho City Hall. and the Council had the isht
to elect sueh officers as they chose. They
had elected Mr.. Jonas, and he insisted that
Mf. Walsh shoald yield
Mr.. Walsh then requested time to consult
with his friends. bat was pere enptorily re-
fused.
He said: "Are you going TO use soree'"
Mayor Leeds-I am.
Mr.. Walsh said that he did noe intend to
subj - himself to personal indignity. reiter'
ated his grounds Of declining to yield the
office, and affirming his right to it. retired
under protest.
Thus the matter stood last evening. but
further proceedings will be had to-day.
The Presideat's Determination.
The position taken by President Grant on
Louisiana affairs iu his message to Congress
| was promptly communicated 70 Governor
Kellogg by our actiye delegates ct the
cspitsl:
WASHINGTON, December !. 1874.
TO Governor William P. Kellogg
-, ~. MI