| Louisiana Division New Orleans Public Library | |
| Administrations of the Mayors of New Orleans Colonel Samuel Miller Quincy | |
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Samuel M. Quincy was chosen to succeed Kennedy as Acting Mayor. He was born in Boston in 1833, a descendant of Revolutionary stock, his ancestors being noted barristers and educators of all times. His father, Josiah Quincy, was a noted lawyer and mayor of Boston, from 1845-1849. It was during his mayoralty, and principally by his means, that the Cochituate water was brought into Boston--the most important public work ever executed in Boston. His grandfather, a noted statesman and scholar, was inducted into the office of President of Harvard on June 2, 1829, being its sixteenth President; he also served as mayor of Boston from 1823 until the end of 1828. Samuel M. Quincy graduated at Harvard in 1852; was admitted to the Boston bar, and for several years edited the "Monthly Law Reporter." He entered the army as Captain in the 2nd Massachusetts Regiment, May 24, 1861, became Lieutenant Colonel of the 73rd United States Colored Regiment, October 20, 1863, and its Colonel, May 24, 1864. On March 13, 1865, was brevetted brigadier-general of volunteers. He had previously served as President of the Board of Examiners, which Butler undertook to recruit in the United States Army. In the few short weeks over which his administration lasted, Quincy showed himself "the pliant tool of those who were working to perpetuate the conditions in the city which made its government a by-word throughout the nation." Fortunately, his mayoralty was interrupted by the arrival of Major General E. R. S. Canby on June 3. Quincy was retired on June 8th, and Kennedy restored to the Mayoralty. Canby explained his action on the ground that Wells, as Civil Governor, had appointed Kennedy as mayor, and that he (Canby) had no authority to cancel an appointment. The removal of Kennedy was, therefore, illegal and he was entitled to resume his office, 1865 to 1866. Kennedy's administration remained in place through both parts of his interrupted term as well as during Quincy's interim period in office. Before he (Kennedy) resumed his place in office Glendy Burke served as acting mayor for three weeks.
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12/9/2002
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