The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1855-07-27

does no, like tho sound OF rummy," let
him leave the advocacy Of the rumsellers'
cause, and he will no, be troubled.
Report Of the Investigating Committee.
In grea, length, as well Us pressure Of
other matter demanding space, will prevent
the publication Of the entire report Of the
Committee appointed by the board Of AL.
demen Of the city Of Portland, TO inves,i-
gate the transactions connected with the
riot which took place in tina, city on the
evening Of June 2, 1855, in which John
Robbins was shot. We have selected such
extracts from the document as seemed 10
Us to be mos, important, containing as they
do tho conclusions Of the committee upon
the impor,an, points involved in the affair,
and give them below. The committee was
composed OF men, in whose calmness Of
judgmen, the community will rely, with
confidence. A glance at their names will
show ,ha, the conclusions Of such men ailer
paiien, investigation will be Authoritative
with all, excep, those who were pre-de,er-
mined 10 make the occurrences OF this riot,
il possible, furnish capital for political men
to elecdoneer with, in behalf Of rum and
hunkerism. The Committee were in ses.
sion twelve days, examining witnesses and
prosecuting their inquiries. Tho report
was drawn by Hon. VIM. Willis, and with
all the carefulness ofstatement and pre-
cision which Is characteristic OF that gentle
man; and is signed by every member
who acted on the committee.
The committee after reciling their gener.
al course Of proceedings in the course oil
investigating the affair, proceed TO give the
action OF the city authorities in relation 10
the purchase OF the liquors for the agency,
and the circumstances connected Herewith
stating that instructions were given in
writing, TO have the liquors directed 10 the
Portland Agency, Portland, Maine," the
repor, says.
On the 3ls, day Of May the liquors ar.
rived; all the packages were marked as
instructed, accompanied by bills OF lading,
and an invoice Of The goods, corresponding
with the marks on the packages.
The bill Of parcels accompanying the
shipment was headed
NEw YORK, 25,h May, 1855
Portland Agency, Portland, Me,
Bought Of John Bramson & Co,
Importers Of Brandies, Wines, and Havana segars
No rs, Broad street, up stairs
Terms: note at 6mcnihs,
or cash, discount.
Then follows description Of The liquors
with the prices, amounting 10 Sl6ls,63.
On their arrival the liquors wero imme
dia,ely transported to the agency, where
they were deposited, and remained il
charge OF Mr.. Chute, who had been appoint
ed agent, when they were seized upon the
warrant, as the property of Neal Dow, on
the Cd of June. Neither the name OF Mr..
Dow, nor OF any OF the committee, appeared
upon the packages, the bills OF lading, oil
the invoice.
Such being the facts relative to this branch
OF tho case, the committee have no hesi,a.
lion in declaring their belief that the liquors
were purchased according 10 law, and were
legally deposited in the city agency, and
were the property Of the city Of Portland.
But if they were not legally purchased,
they had been seized under a lawful pro-
cess, which was then pending; and were
in custody OF the law, in building owned
by the city. II then tho liquor had been
illegally purchased, that fact would afford
no Justification 10 mob, TO assault the
property Of the city, and take the article by
violence from the custody Of the law. The
crime in either case has no apology. The
law should have been permitted 10 take its
course; 1.-THE liquor was illegally purchased
the law would declare il forfeited, and il
would have been destroyed under and by
virtue Of the law.
On the afternoon Of June Cd, Royal vii.
liams, Joshua Stevens, and Alvin S. Dyer,
appeared before the Judge Of the Police
Court OF the City Of Portland, and in behalf
OF the State, entered a complaint, under
their respective oaths,
"That they have reason TO believe, and do be.
evc, that on the Isl day OF June, in said year, at
said Portland, intoxicating liquors were and still
are kept and deposited by Neal Dow OF Portland
in said County, in the middle cellar under the
building commonly known us the City Hall IN
said Portland, said Neal Dow not being authorized
by law TO sell said liquors within said Portland,
and said liquors are intended for sale within said
State, IN violation Of law"
The reasons the compliments had for be-.
lieving the facts 10 which they made solemn
oath, we are not permitted 10 know. One
OF these allegations is, that these liquors
were intended for sale IN violation Of lals.-
The Committee had hoped, in requesting
their attendance before them as witnesses,
TO have learned, the causes and grounds OF
this belief.
The warrant thus demanded, was duly
issued, and put into the hands Of deputy
Marshall Ring. The compliments requir-
ed and demanded, under much excitement,
iha, il should be given 10 Constable Brady,
who was in the room 10 receive il. This
was refused, the Judge remarking tina, ii
mus, take the usual course.
This was between and o'clock, p. NJ.
The deputy Marshall did not sieze the
liquor until about an hour and half from
the time Of receiving the warrant.
On proceeding 10 the Agency, he found
the liquors there, marked Portland Agen.
CIV, Portland, Me-" not seeing Mr.. Dow's
name upon the packages, he had doubts
abou, his RICH, 10 siezs them; no called for
the invoice in the hands Of the Agent, who
was present, and found the bill 10 cores
pond with the marks. He then went on,
10 consult the Marshall and County A,ior-
ney, as to his duty, and afterwards return.
inc with the Marshall, he seized the liquors
upon his warrant, between and o'clock,
took an account, OF them, and leh them in
the cellar Of the Agency, as the mos, secure
place.
As soon as the warrant was issued, per-
sons began TO assemble in groups about the
City Hall. holding converse on the subject
of the warrant, and the seizure; and ey-
pecting that the liquor would be- taken and
moved 10 some other place. Some inquir-
ed of,he deputy Marshall, why he did no,
seize the liquors others said, "thc liquors