Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-07-30
THE MOB LAW IN cAyJpopNfA.


The dreadful instance of the application of
Lynch Law in San Francisco, ofwhch we have
given the particulars, naturally enough engrossed
much of the public attention. The newspapers of
California, so far as we have seen fully justify the
outrage; but the press here on the Atlantic bor-
der most earnestly and unreservedly deprecate
this mob-aw rule. The citizens of San Fran
cisco doubtless have suffered from such villains,
yet the process ngs of the so-called "Secret
Committee remind US OF the terrible sway of
the Star Chamber of European memory, when no
man felt safe from too quick judgment.
The testimony gwen before the Coroner of
San Francisco. in holding an inquest upon the
body of the man Jenkins, indicates the fearful state
of uncertainty which was naturally coming to
pass:
| 81. p. Mcgee, police officer, sworn-Relused to
answer any questions; being called upon for his
he stated that he refused because he had
reason to believe that there is Secret Committee or
inquson, In the city, and he should tell what he
had seen, or known, or heard he should be in danger
for two years, and was good American. He believed
every man in the city liable be seized and carried
before the Secret Tribunal and therefore he feared
TOR his life il he should testify against them He did
not fear for himself, but for his family. Being asked
by juror he answered that he had heard the evidence
OF the other witnesses, and that what he knew, if
stated, would be new matter, tending to impicae 9TH
er persons than those named in the execution of the
deceased"
Among the other witnesses who testified were VIII
liam Dever, OF Baltimore, who endeayored prevent
two men from tong the englne-house bell as signal
Tor the execution, and also David G. Broderick Esq
the fearless law and order man" who to seeing
capt. Wakeman acting eonspicuously, and others he
| named, IN the hanging. He said:
THAT he (Mr, j was held bacl, hy W m TT
Jones and another man, that this Mr.. Jones had hold
OF the rope; and that Mr. Jones to be IN favor
Ispoke to him. continued Mr. Broderck, about the
courts, and his reply was, To he'll with the courts
Another witness Ira Cole, testified as follows:
! "Saw The rope put around his (Jenkns, neck; saw
| Capt. Wakeman there; him have hold of the
| rope, pulling it till the was hauled up and then
saw him fasten it to the railing Heard Capt. Wake
man call tor Delaying pin to make fast the rope saw
others have hod ofthe rope saw officer Harding ry
| ing to get the man down."
We are glad to see that many ofthe citizens OF San
francisco do not sanction these umutuous proceedings
But on the other hand it is commended by others who
are familiar with the condition of things in San Fran
cisco that representation positively demanded this as.
sumption of power by the people, letter received at
speaking OF the affair, says
"Y GU understand too well how our community is
situated to be at all surprised at the pursued
The list OF names is guaranty that acted with de-
liberation. As OF the original committee was pre-.
sent at the trial. and there doubt in the mind of
any one of the guilt of the party. The reason why
we secret Committee is that our plans for cap u
ring criminals should not be made public thereby de.
feang our object; and the trial carried by our.
selves for fear it should attempt iu the open the
popuace, justly enraged by all they have suffered,
would not give the party fair trial. know that we
shall be considered al home as being the opponents
law and order, especially those whose friends are
resident in Boston. But they do not know the ext
gencies of the The committee are upheld
IN all they have done by the respectable portion of
the community, and our number which the night of
the trial was only about eighty has increased to some
thing like two hundred and fifty, and in the course of
lew days think it will number a thousand or two''
MAT. Int.