Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1852-09-08
Public Meeting.

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In pursuance of notice, respectable number Of
citizens Of town and county met in the Court
House, at Staunton,o Thursday last, for the pur-
pose of aiding the officers in due enforcement Of
! the law:
On motion, Jacob Baylor, Esq, was called to
the Chair, but that gentleman declined serving,
Robert Guy, Esq, who had been appointed Vice
Chairman, discharged the duties of the Chair, and
JOS A. Waddell and F. j. Alfred were appointed
Secretaries.
The object of the meeting having been explain
ed, with view to elicit fair expression of opin-
ion and to adopt some measures which may check
the lawlessness of portion of our population en-
gagged on the line of Railroad in this county, vari-
GUS gentlemen, Messrs. Baldwin, Jacob Baylor,
Col. Geo. Baylor, Col Hartman, Skinner, limbo
den, Shelley, and others, submitted their views to
the meeting. Mr.. Everett presented preamble
and resolutions, which he did not offer for adoption,
but because he thought they might contain some
suggestions that could be rendered servlceable to
the community; but, inasmuch as action had al
ready been taken, in part, farther consideration
was thought unnecessary with regard to Mr.. Els
suggestions. This explanation is due to Mr.. Ev
erett, who is comparatively stranger.
The following preamble and resolutions were a.
dopted:
The people of Augusta county have assembled
to take counsel together as to the measures proper
to be taken, in view of the alarming increase of
crime in our community.
As a law-lovng and law abiding people, we de-
sire it to be distintly understood that we acknowl
edge and shall respect the supremacy of the law
of the land ,and will dscountenance every attempt
to forestal or review the due and regular action of
the constituted authorities and legal tribunals
We have no desire TO confound the innocent with
the guilty, and would, by no means, refuse even
to the guilty. fair and impartial trial with all the
safeguards provided by the Bill of Rights of Vir-
ginia. Our object is, simply to promote such ad-
minstration of the law as will tend to prevent Of
fences, by bringing all offenders to justice.
BE 1t therefore, Resolued, That the County
Court of Augusta be called upon at its next session
to adopt such measures as will secure an efficient
police and patrol, and that the Justices and other
officers of the law be earnestly requested to special
diligence in the meantime; and this meeting and
every member of it will, at all times. and under
all circumstances, render most cheerfllly, all such
aid as may be desired.
Resolved, That we have reason 10 believe that
one of the chief causes of the disorder in our COM
munty is the reckless and indiscriminate sale of
ardent spirits to improper PERSONS and we earnest
ly condemn this practice and call upon all good
citizens to discountenance such conduct in all who
commit it.
Resolved, That the Chairman of this meeting
appoint committee of twenty -one, whose duty it
shall be by all la,cd means, to ferret ont all Of
tenders against the law which prohibits the retail
of ardent spirits without license.
Resolred, That committee of five be appoint
ed by the Chairman of this meeting. to confer with
the Railroad Contractors within the county, and
urge upon them to enter into an agreement among
themselves. not to give employment to idle or dis
solute characters as hands on their work.
The following named persons were appointed
the committee in obedience to the above resolution,
viz: John d. Imboden, Col. VIM. Fl. Haman,
Joseph A. Waddel, Jas. HI. Skinner and +. j. AL
fred.
On motion.it was ordered that these proceedings
be published in the papers of the town and that
copy thereof be certified to the County Court of
Aurusta at its next session.
ROBERT GUY, Ch'm'n.
Jos. A. WAppELL, soo,rs
+. j. ALFRED,