American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-04-03
EVERY CITIZEN SHOULD KNOW THIS.


The right of persons to prevent crowds from
assembling before their houses, and to compel
rude and disorderly persons to depart from the
vicinity of their DOORS is very imperfectly un-
derstood in this as well as in other cities, and
many submit to serious wrongs and injustice in
Ignorance of the rights they possess.
A recent decision by Judge Parsons, of Phila-
delphia, will throw some light on this subject.
David Vondersmith, an officer of police, had
been arrested on charge of assault and battery
on the person of Andrew Kee, a hack-driver,
and was brought before Judge P. on writ Of
habeas corpus Kee was standing in front of
of the United States Hotel, when he was ordered
to leave by Mr.. Snider, the proprietor, who
called Vondersmith to arrest him, which he did,
and took him to the Mayors Office. 1t was for
this that the prosecution was brought Kee
alleged that he went to the hotel to look for
q gentleman who owed him money, and that he
was not inside Of the hotel. Judge Parsons
said he would decide the question presented
upon first principles, so that the rights Of par
ties, should be clearly understood. Every
man, he said owns the ground in front of his
house. He has given to the public right to
pass and repass over it, but in all other respects
it is as much his property as any other part of
the premises.
No one has right to stand or carry on any
business in front of any mans house, and, if he
is thus annoyed and notifies the party TO leave
and he don't, he has perfect right to use sufi-
cient force to compel the offender to go. Men
and boys have no right to collect at the corners
of streets. When Kee was told to leave the
place by the proprietor, he ought to have done
so. His refusal to go gave the proprietor a
right to take him by the collar and put him off
the pavement, or call q public officer to do it,,
which was the wiser course. Vondersmith had
done nothing more than his duty.
SMALL EcoNoMY.--Mr. Comptroller Whittle-
sey-has Just made some objection to allowing
the entire mileage account of a member of Con-
gress, and has cut out the charge for cabbage
and greens to the meat, or something of the
sort, as not proper subjects for government
payment. What miserable economy this penny
economy is ! A patriotic President, Secretary
Of State, or Member of Congress-, merits ten
times as much payment for his services as he
receives; and it would be cheap for the country
to pay the right kind Of men at such rate
The bad boys at Washington deserve nothing
better than to be kicked out of the places they
occupy.-N. r. Herald. --.s
We have nothing to do with political matters
Of course; but questions of economy arc ques
tions of universal interest. 1t may, therefore
not be amiss, without disparagement. to the
patriotism of the present day, to compare it,
market value with the primitive specimens Of
the same commodity.
The pay of the members of the Old Cont
mental Congress was rs follows, viz: New
Hampshirc-Personal expenses also pay for
servant and two horses, and half guinea add.
tional. assachusetts-Persona expenses ant
two dollars day. Rhode Island-Forty shil
lings day observation-disclosures and three
dollars. day. New Jersey-Four dollars
day. Pennsylyania-Twcnty shiIlings q da.
and all expenses. Maryland--Forty shilling
o day. Virginia. half Johannes day. Mort
Carolna-Fiye hundred pounds currency year
South Carolina--Three hundred pounds for ser
vices during first Congress. Georga-0ne hun
bred pounds q month.