The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1855-06-08

CRoss E1lMrsAnoS.-J. Rramson Of New
York was the man Of whom / ordered the
liouors. I had tho conversation ordering
the LIQUORS with him at the Mayors Office
No one else remained there except the May.
or-others came in and went out. All the
conversation was In the Mayors office. ]
went In with Mr. Bramson to the Office and,
70 the best of my recollection. came out
with him. In regard to ordering the Liz.
uors. had no moro conversation with Mr..
B. and heard no more. DO not know
when Bramson left town. went from my
Office on Middle street, to the Mayors
Office with Mr.. Bramson, and returned there.
After we had settled the matter ofinsurance,
think he babe me good bye and said he
was going out Of town Immediately. did
not see him again. Several persons came
into the Mayors ofIics while | was there,
but did not stay. Mr.. Brooks was not there.
The liquors were to he pure as far as we
could Judge from their being in the original
packages. introduced Mr.. BRAINS IN to
The Mayor 40 an importer who had been
recommended to me as proper person from
whom VIC could purchase liquors for the
City Agency. I have repeated everything
of that conversation that can now recol.
lect, except that know We talked about the
quality and the price. We talked Of the
wines as to kinds, price and quantity, but
! do not remember the particular words.
We gave the order Ia black and white
saw the order written down in pencil marks
relating to the quality, quantity and price.
Mr.. Dow delivered it, ] think, to Mr.. Bran.
son, cannot remember how II read, IL was
80 much rum, 50 much gin, so much brandy,
90 much wine, and some other kinds, in
small quantities. The Mavor did not sign
1t to my kno~ledge. Mr.. Bramson said he
would copy that order in his own hand.
writing, and leave the original with the
Mayor.
Direct Examination resumed.
Aldermen Brooks said to me before hand
that he would concur in whatever the May
or and myself should do in regard to order
ing the liquors.
To the Court. That which have called
on order was simply memorandum OF the
liquors we should ike.
Aldermen Ring recalled. So far rs was
concerned, the conversation was serious, as
l wished to know what had been done.
My proposition in regard to the auction
was not serious. I had been talked with a
good deal about the matter, and I wanted
to know the truth of 1t. I did have the
impression that they were a,ting without
authority. was serious when asked him
II he thought he was going to mike good
speculation out Of II. We were joking the
whole evening.
Counsel for Defence then put In the vot,
OF the Board Of Aldermen June 2, 1855.
ratiiying the doings ofthe Mayor and Alder.
men Brooks and Carleton in the ordering Of
the liquors.
The testimony then being all in, the Court
adjourned to 0 O'Clock this forenoon ut tho
City Hall to hear The argument of Counsel.
Advertiser, Thursday.
The Portland Transcript and E!eciic, laf.
Ter making extracts from other papers COLI
corning the affair, concludes as follows:
This sad occurrence mus, be deeply re.
grelled BY all good citizens. The shedding
Of human blood is an &C, OF fearful respon.
sibiliiy. but law and order must be sustain.
ed al whatever cost. In reviewing this
disturbances aud the events which led 10 il.
there are several things which appear 10 us
TO be self evident. II is charged that the
Mayor purchased the liquors unlawiully -
or this, in view OF the facts above stated,
we see no proof, and II is very clear tha,
no violation OF The spirit OF the law was in.
tended or committed. They were bought for
the purpose OF carrying Out the object oflhe
law, and il in purchasing them, The forms
Of The law were neglected, that, although
unwise and impoliiic. would furnish moi
the least justification Of The mob. |, is also
evident lha, those persons who entered The
complaint against the liquors were aclualed
by no wish 10 vindica,e law which they
have always denounced, but by malicious
desire 10 feed their ancient grudge agains,
Mayor Dow. Again, il is evident that Out
of the gathering at the City Agency In
The afternoon, and the threats there uttered,
grew the riot OF The evening. I, is also APP
paren, that The mob felt that they had the
sympathy Of persons Of some standing in
the city and that this fact emboldened them
in their acts OF violence That they were
no, mistaken in this confidence is evident
from the tone Of the Argus and the State Of
Maine since the disturbance. Both OF these
papers speak Of the objec, Of the mob
which was 10 destroy the liquors-as a very
slight offence-a thing oi"no grea, legal or
moral wrong" says the Argus. And here
our solemn conviction oblises us 10 say thai,
The course OF these papers prior 10 the Q.
vent, throws no little responsibility upon
them. The State Of Maine, especially, by
its infamma,ory articles, and lis missia,e.
men,s, did much 10 excite The public MUD.
Although the loss of life win be regret
led by all. yet every good citizen must re-
joice that order was sustained, and that we
are not now under mob rule. Had the mob
been permitted 10 accomplish their object
and become flushed with victory and LIQUOR
they would not have been satisfied by the
destruction OF the spirits, but would in all
probability have attacked o:her buildings
and destroyed other property. Moreover,
The mob spirit would have received so much
encouragement, that we should have been
completely a, its mercy, and riots would
have become frequent occurrences. Our
men Of property feel this, as is evident
from the remarks OF Mr.. J. B. Brown al
The City Hall meeting.
We therefore feel that we are indebted 10
the frmness Of The civil authorities, and OF
the military who came oui, for a deliver
ance from a very great evil. II will be
said that The mob might have been dispers-
ed without a resort 10 bloodshed. On this
point there will be different opinions, and
all must make up their own judgment from
the facts in The case. As il il said The mat
ter will undergo legal investigation, we
can all afford 10 wal, for that solution Of The
question, and in the meantime every good
citizen will do all in his power 10 allay I'M
due exciiemen, and prevent further acts
Of violence.
70 The Personal Liberty Bill Of the