The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-07-15
Constitution OF the Committee Of Vigilance Of
San Francisco.
TX

Whereas. has become apparent 10 the citizens OF san
Francisco that there Is security for life end property
either under the regulations Of society as at present
exists under the laws now administered, and that
by the association together OF bad characters our ballet
boz have been stolen and others substituted stuffed
with votes that were poed and thereby cleo
tons nued-our dearest rights volated-and no other
method lett by which the will Of the people can be mani
tested
Therefore the citizens whose names hereunto at
ached do unite themselves into association for the
maintenance the peace and good order Of societythe
prevention and punishment Of crmethe preservation Of
lives and property and TO insure that our ballot boxes
shall hereafter express the actual and unforged VIII oil the
majority of citizens and do bind ourselves each
the other, by solemn oath, TO do and perform
every ut and lawful act for the maintenance Of law
order sustain the laws when faithfully and pro-
perry administered But determined that no thief
burglar Dcendary, assassin ballot box stuner or other
disturbers Of the peace shall escape punishment either
by the Qubbles OF the law the insecurity Of PRISONS the
carelessness corruption or the police or axty OF
he o. ect Of this ASSOCIATION we do hereby agree
lst That the and style OF this association shall be
the Committee Of Vigilance, for the protection OF tho bal
lot box the lives liberty and property Of the citizens and
residents Of the city Of San Francisco.
I'd That there shall be for the deliberations OF
the committee which there shall be some one or more
members Of the committee appointed for that purpose
attendance at all hours Of the day and night
receive the report Of any member Of the ASSOCIATION
other whatsoever OF any act
Of violence the person property OF any citizen
Of San Francisco and H. In the judgment OF the member
ss justices or demands the interference this committee
either aiding in the execution Of the laws, or the
prompt and summary punishment of tue onenuer, the
committee shall be assembled for the purpose OF
taking such action a. majority OF them, when assem-.
bled shall determine upon.
3D. That IL shall be the duty Of any member or mem
bers OF the Committee duty at the Committee rooms,
whenever a general assembage Of the Committee Is
deemed necessary, TO cause a call 10 be made In such
q shall be found advisable.
4th. That whereas an Executive Committee has been
chosen by the General Committee shall be the duty Of
sad Executive COMMITTEES 10 deliberate aud act upon all
important questions and decide upon the measures nc
cessary carry out the objects for which this assoc
ton formed.
5th That whereas this Comm tee has been organized
into yisons the Executive Committee shall have
power to call, when they shall so determine, Upon
Beard Of Delegates OF three representatives
from each DIVISION TO confer 9th them upon matters Of
vital importance.
9th that all matters Of detail shall be embraced in
7,h That the action Of this body shall be entirely and
vigorously free from all consideration Of participation
the merits or dcmers or opinion or acts OF any and
all sects political parties sectional divisions In the
community and every class OF orderly citizens OF what
sect party, nativity, may become members OF
this body No discussion Of political sectional or sec
subjects shall be allowed IN the OF the
sth That no person accused before this body shall be
punished until amer fair and impartial trial aid convc
ton.
9th That whenever the General Committee have
bcd for deseraton, the decision OF the majority upon
any question that may be submitted % them by the M
cctye Committee, shall be binding upou the whole FRO.
yded nevertheless that when the delegates dclbc.
rating upon the punishment ~ be awarded 10 any crml
nails vote pntng the death penalty shall be binding
unless passed ~ two thirds Of those present and entitled
10 vote.
IOh That all good shall be eligible for NJ mission
70 N body, under such regulations may be prescrb
ed by committee qualification and 4 any unworthy
person gain admission they shall due proof be ex-
eed And believing ourselves 10 be exec itors OF the
viii 81 the majority OF citizens, do pledge our sa
cred honor 70 defend aud sustain ear othS 10 carrying
the determined action OF this coramttee al the hazard
Of o. lve@ and fortunes.