New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1856-12-17
comonfort was originally placed IN power. b
ssain taken up arms to support him.

To tho lht Of outrsges which have Lately beer
perpetrated with impuniiy, we have TO add one
novel in its character and startling in i.s nature
1t is The frst time in the history Of the City Gov
eminent that such an act has been committed, and
we sincerely hope it will be the last. The fs:ts,
which We have derived from trustworthy source,
are these: gentleman, to supply the Pressioe
necessities Of one of the Democratic Members OF
Assembly elect, at the urgent entresties and mpor
tuLity OF that gentleman, loaned him some money
and took as security for the repayment Of the same,
ehattel mortgage upon household furniture and
other property. This Transaction took place over
year ago. After the money became due, application
was made for it, and payment evsded. The mort
ge would have expired on the 10Th instant A few
days before it expired it was placed in the hands OF
Mr.. John Somerindyke for collection. Previous to
this the holder the mortgage that nearly
all the articles embraced in the mortgage, except
the household furniture had been disposed Of BY the
mortgaeor in violation of the rights Of the mort
gsgee.
Before placing tie mortgage in hand for foreclo-
sure, repeated solicitations bad been made for the
payment Of the money, but without success. Mr.
SODerindy ke then called at the house Of the mort
gagor and demanded payment. Payment was
promised the next day at 3 O'Clock At the time
appointed, Mr.. s. called for the money but it was
not paid. He then went TO the house of the mort
gaeOr to remove the property, and there found
policeman who informed him that he had been sent
there by Mayer Wood to prevent the removal Of the
property, and that, if Mr.. SOmerindyke attempted
te remove the property he had orders to arrest h'm
This interference Of course prevented the removal
of the property. The next morning Mr.. S. and the
attorney for the mortgage called on the Mayor to
ascertain whether he really had been guilty of thus
interfering with the rights of citizen in attempting
to enforce the collection Of lawful demand. The
act was diavOwed by the Mayor, and an order
given for the removal Of the policeman, or at least
he promised to give such an order. On the next
day the Sherif's officer again went to the house Of
the mortgagOr prepared to remove the property,
snd there found the same policeman, who again
stated that he was there by the express order Of the
Mayor to prevent the removal of the property, and
TO arrest Mr.. s. if be attempted to remove it. The
sherf's officer was compelled to leave. The at
torney for the MORTGAGE, after sscertaining the
facts began at once to prepare the necessary papers
to procure the arrest of the Mayor, the officer and
the mOrtgsgOr, when he received notice from the
attorney of the mortgagor that the money would be
paid. This gentleman being Trustworthy person,
proceedings for the arrest were suspended and the
money paid.
Comment upon this state Of facts is unnecessary.
The outrage is 30 high handed, so glaring the pre-
cedent 70 fraught with danger, that all who read
this article can appreciate the necessity Of speedy
change. not only in the law with regard to the
police, but also in the men we select to
hold ofics. The law, it is true, expressly for
bids pol men from interfering in civil matters
and the interference subjects both the Mayor and
& ficer TO criminal punishment. 1t 10 no defense
for the tfiicer that he acted under the orders Of
the Mayor, though IL might be proper considefa-
tUu in mitigation Of punishment; but in the case of
the Mayor, the full penalty ought to BIS awarded.
The example would be Of the utmost benefit Ii
would strike at the root OF the la~essDess which,
nelioned by presidents in high places, is ruanng
III checked 10 the city. 1t Is but short time nee
that the house Of citizen in the Twenty second
Ward was demolished, bis property destroyed, bus
fsn,ly driven from the premises by gang OF rni-
fans; but the Mayor cid not cause single arrest,
though policemen and Ofice-holders we're on the
grouI d during the riot The MAJ whose house
was thus demolished opposed the reelection OF
Fernando Wood The nan whose property ~a'
protected against the just claim Of the mortgage,
was enc Of Woods partisans, and was very active
in the ate canvass.
We look to the Legislature for relief. New-York
is at present the worst governed city in the world.
II is ssid that 800, 600 have been or will be raised
to retard the action Of the Legislature upon these
matters This libel upon the Republican members
Of that body we trust will meet with its just and
proper reward in their speedy action to relieve US
from the incubus that now hangs over this me-
tronoljs