Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1851-07-25
LYNCH LAW IN CALIFORNIA.

Though the scenes in California published in full yester
day. deeply be regretted indicating either deep
seated moral corruption in the community above the law or
criminal negligence n carrying out the ends OF JUSTICE we
cannot at this distance undertake decide upon the expe
dency right of the matter. The fact that the most re-
spectacle citizens Of San Francisco merchants bankers
&c. enrolled themselves among the Committee OF Vigil
lance and aided and abeed in the summary execution OF
Lynch Law far TO show that the EVIL was extreme anu
required extreme remedies.
The following is the verdict of the Coroners Jury en-
panneed to hold an inquest the body OF Jenkins, who
was executed:
We the Jurors of Jury of Inquest empanneled by the
Coroner of county of San Francisco to inquire into the
death OF John Jenkins alias SYMPTOM DO md upon he
oath that the said Jenkins alias SYMPTOM came 10 his death
on the morning of The lh of June between the hours OF
two three O'clock, ny violent means. by slrangna'on
caused BY being suspended by the neck with rope attached
10 The end of the adobe building the Plaza a the "no
and in pursuance Of preconceed action on me pai o.
an association OF citizens, styling themselves COMMITTEE
Of Vigilance whom the following members a'e
oy direct testimony, to wi:-Cartan f;dgar MaNenhn'
William H Jones' James C. Ward Edward a; hng J. N;
Batee Benjamin Reynolds J. 5. Eagun, j. C. Derby and
Snm Bannant
The same afternoon meeting Of citizens on the subject
was held the Plaza 1t appears TO have been little more
than scene OF confusion. Resolutions offered the
| most important Of which subjon
Resolved That while deprccate the OCCASION and re-
gret the necessity which calls US TO decide Yet ON
count of circumstances which we have had no control
we constrained believe that the crimes grand ceny
burglary and arson should be punished with deuth discam'
ing the right to nc, this penalty until after time
elapsed obtain the voice Of all the people through the
| ballot BOX.
Resolved That committee Of seven bcappon'ed 10 call all
election of the of each ward decide whether or
these crimes shall be punished with death, nppoht lht
officers OF election aud define the form Of The ticket
Resolved, That The time and place. Judge and
sheriff shall be elected (unless OF our judges and sheriff
will serve Jvho shalt enforce the will of the people, in pun.
shine the guilty. who shall have jurisdiction only ON those
criminal cases above mentioned.
Resolved That pledge lives our fortunes ana our
sacred hou protect and defend the peoples courts and
officers against and all other Jurisprudence.
Resolved That any person charged with crime sha nave
fair and impartial trial by jury, shall he be deprived vi
the privilege Of giving evidence he can bring TO prove
| his innocence.
Resolved That in case of any doubt the guilt Of any
person. shall have the benefit Of such doubt in accordance
| with established usuges.
ton after the Legislature has been convened Ave days
David c. Broderick member of the Legislature former
New York srenuousy opposed the passage q! tho res
ouions In the Of his remarks in abiding to the
ecuon he pledged his life that he would have all the persons
whom ne could ascertain having been concerned in IT,
hung by law and he himself would assist in the work.
From incidental remarks in the report Of the proceed
ings OF the meeting we infer that Mr. Brodeck narrowly
capped taste OF the usarpaion OF law which he stringent
| ly opposed.
Thevnrdct OF the Corone jury given above will be seen,
includes the Of few implicated in the
ecuon After ts promugaon the socallcd "peopes COM
mee of vigilance issued circular setting forth the objects
Of their association and unwilling that few of their asso-
caes should be selected by corones jury" uvowng the
responsibility of the outrage for the signes
/ in number