Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1852-05-14
BILLS PASSED
LFrnm The Richmond E,nuhllcnn |

PUBLIC MEETING AT THE CITY HALL!
very large and intelligent meeting OF our cilizes was
held nj the Cty Hall Monday afternoon, al O'Clock, the
o.. 1t Of which 10 express dsapprobation al the con-
duct OF certain persons who, Friday night last assem-
bsd around The Governors mansion and indnscd in noisy
and nnhecoming conduct.
Dir. Rp G. Scc called the meeting TO order and his
motion Gen Bernard peyun called the Chair and
j. w Lewelen requested TO act us Secretary.
Mr. A. g. Scott then s,ned the object of meeting deeply
the city Of Richmond.
The City Council had taken action upon the subject
their meeting (Which then 10 scssion and had desired
him to present copy of their proceedings this meeting
which he did.
They were then road by the Secretary MS fellows:
"At monthly meeting of the Council Of tie Gy of Rich
Inond, held On Monday May 10TH 1852:
Mr Robinson submitted - following preamble and reso.
luoEs, aud the same were unanimously adopted:
ihe Council uf the Ci" :. iJnd have learnt that in
Inc case OF slave sentenced death by the Court Of Hust
lncs Of this CITY, fur killing his oversee the Governor
dGred Communication Of the punishment by directing him
70 ue transported beyond the limits o the United Sta
mat on the night OF the h inst there meeting the
Clv iaii oi some OF the citizens, who dsapproyed The
conuta'ion nnd that after the meeting adjourned there
the same night tumuunls asse,;agc al or the
Governors house Whatever there may be for difference
of opinion regard 10 the prrprcy The executive action
in This ha doubt that the act COM
pinrd OF done by the Governor in the conscientious
discharge Of his duIes certainly done in the exercise
OF powers conferred on him by the constitution and
the laws II for such the object of any the
assenbage TO oier ndgny TO the Chief Magistrate OF the
Commonwealth or his family, we cannot TOO strongly ex-
people peaceaby to assemble at their town hall and express
their opinion 10 the exercise of the Executive power IN
the particular case is unqnestonabe But whatever might
be their opinion in its exercise there be
the breach Of good order the grounds at
tach TO the Executive mansion. Under the ordinances OF
the City it is the duty OF The whole Of the police TO endeav
10 the good order and puce thereof and secure
is Inhabitants from personal violence and their property from
inuynnd heMayor has general supentendence and
control over that police Under the law OF the STATE was his
duty US justice OF the peace TO go among near to any
assembled,
Of the law command them disperse; and il they did
not thcreupon Immediately aud pcacea5!y dspese, he
shGud have commanded the assistance Of ell present
and o. The Sergeant of the Cuporainn with bis posse
nrei bs; and ii farther aid wanting the Sergeant mg
have required II from the conmandant Of the regiment In
respect Ia the in which the duties OF the May"
performed on ths OCCASION have not the benefit
any written communication from him. From slch inioma
fon as we have received otherwise are well sasheu iha
the civil power abundany sufficient suppress the as
scmbagc and pleased that the assembdee ermna
without any Of violence the person of any
und without II being found necessary call In the ala o TIE
Military Whether or no 1t was terminated as promptly a.
shoud have been Isl about which there may De
for difference ofopnion in respect 10 which seems
TO US proper TO have further and more exact
Under these circumstances resolved as follows:
IL. That the Council unwilling 10 believe that any
citizens Of this City would offer desire personal violence
the Chief Magistrate Of .Ec Commonwealth AMI deeply
that there should have been any asseoases or near
the Governs house which had the appearance OF being in
tended 10 otar lndlsny 10 him, Q! vas calculated 10 annoy
him or his family.
80 That Mayor be requested furnish in writing TO
the Committee OF police detailed statement OF what was
done by him. by others the night Of the Ih ns at
the Governors house, and that the said Committee
after receiving such statement and obtaining any urthe IN
formation in their power recommend to The Council such
as in their opinion il may be proper 10 adopt
"3 That good order must be preserved IN the Ciy ana
thar end the Council will exert its powers and require
the officers subject its control to perform their duties
Al the conclusion of the reading, Mr. H. G scout offered
the following resolution:
Resolved That this meeting approve the proceedings of
the City Council.
Mr. l. A. Gudin desired the withdrawal of the resolution
The change made in the hour Of meeting from o'clock 10
not there were hundreds of who desired be present.
and wto on coming the Hall tonight, and finding that
the meeting had been held would feel exceedingly mortified
aud The result mi eht terminate unpeasany He therefore
moved 10 lay the resolution on the table.
Mr. Macarland surprised that the meeting was not
larger but saw necessity for postponing action hose
present would be satisfied with the measures
nptc ~ this meeting and he was therefore opposed 10
my delay.
solutions Of tie Couacil did more than condemn the action
u persons aroun the Governors house. any reflection
was designed b. upou The ucthn OF The meeting oi
Friday night he would oppose IT, but II the object OF the
meeting merely the tumutuous gathering on
he public square, then he would go ca ar as nc VINO went
farlhest in condemnng it, But under no circumstances
would he understood casting upon the people
for doing that which they had perfect right 10 DO VIZ
p4accably meeting ard expressing their dsaPpooation at
The acts 0s of their official functlonaree.
Dir r. T. Gratan in favor OF The resolutions OF INC
Council for by Them expressly declared that 'he people
had right peaccaby assemble and express telr opinion
upon the Of the Governor or any other puoc iunc-
Mr. Wood Bouldn had come TO the conclusion within
few hours past for the resolution OF the Council he
was unwilling 60 while any threat was hanging over
the CITY OF Richmond but utter the exciting scenes In the
Legislature of Saturday, he pleased 10 see that the SEN
ale had laid upon the table the ihammatorY resoG'n oi
The House and he prepared to cunen The conduct on
pabc square but he cond never be induced 10 eny e
right OF the people peaceaby to assemble in public meet
in and express their opinions OF The acts Oh 'hel' Puoc
Officers. - -, r.L...,,
MI r. G. Scott freely acknowledged the right OF the people
10 peaceaby assemble and upon the Official acs OF puoc
unaries He did 10 be understood as con-
t,upry the meeting of Frday for however much ne gh
d. from them in opinion, he did not question 'heir gh !"
The course they had pursued but ne freely c4ncurea IN IN
action of The Council enqung into the conduct oil Inc OH
GERS of the city; and it, examination, II snohi turn ou
that any of them been derec in their Duty ne was 10
favor OF arragnng them and holding them up 10 puohc
gaze. -, r-.,-,o,,.
Mr MAYO had opposed the gatherings at the Governors
bousc nnd had used what little influence lie possessed 10
hsnerse il peaccaby and quietly lie had been grossly
rsrcnressntcd both in and Of the Legislature and ne
took the present occasion 10 cay that those VINO
he begged the crowd not to destroy inc oeaoni
erected by themselves thereby appealing 10 ther pockeis
had falsely represented him. He he'd gone over 10 INC
square at the solicitation OF Mr. W. f. Rtchie ana as an
officer of the city, did what he could 10 aspefsG tle gae
inu but he saw act committed ana ieiI assuIeo
thnt most Of the noise created by boys ne ony re-
nembered two persons that lie saw pear ne governor
mansion and Of them was The Mayor ana lne o'her m
'rnar of the cy In his official capacity, as Common
vrats Attorney he had that day charged Inc Gfnno
nm The yey subject under discussion and no eot on MS
porte
hsre nj the ,care occasion He iad oeen accused
of cninr or following the heels OF mob 10 the puoic
which assertion pronounced as base iasehooa
cmnnaiiun from whomsOcver il may.
The Council proceedings having been adopted
Mr. Scott though the meeting had gone that dr II w
proper that should step farther ana taKe some
action on their own responsibility. ne hse'o'e p'opo'eo
the following preamble and resolution
nWhereng this meeting has learned that number OF pei
did nm the night OF the 7th instant proceed IN not
ans and umuous into the yard and grounds apoo
hc ence of the Chief Magistrate OF the Sa'e ana oiu
her, behave in tisodey and improper MANNER nt'e'lng
hTr,,s and some OF them abusive and lnsuns language
awards the Governor and n the hearing Of ha iany con-
sis,irg in part of femaes ,,,If of ,
.Kcsolyed That this meeting. for !tsel: and on hsl o
vo n,ia,i;; o! The good people Of ihs CITY, con dee
dec;ded and unmeaed condemnation .! the proceedings -
ali concerned in tile dsordery and rotons cohaue
udd 10 and they entertain the confident nope anu
ion hat The civil authorities of our city 80 c
bic for its good order and respect ol 'e VI W
country will adopt efficient measures iof 'he preventing Tue
recurrence nf such scenes. e ,h; ,o,,,o, u,;,t
NJ Scou advocated the adoption OF TINS resoIuhon WIN
LII foIoe and thought due to the good STANDING
~ M ,;yens of Richmond that some such action shouf
~ h m vino out the stain which had been placed upon Ne
I I % ,ho ac,ion of the mob Friday night last.
Nj R,uldin would consent 10 The Adoption Oh any
hing that might By Implication censure the people !or e
,,ra held on Friday night last. They had exercsea az
rodoubeJ right in holding that meeting and couu no a.
elI responsible 70! anything done by persons ast