Volcano weekly ledger., 1856-06-21

WHEREAS, it has become apparent to the
citizens of San Francisco that there is no
security for life and property, either under
/ the regulations of society as it at present
exists. or under the laws as now administered,
and that by the association together OF bad
characters our ballot-boxes have been stolen,
and Others substituted or stuffed with votes
that were never poled, and thereby our cleo
tions nullified-our dearest rights violated
and no other method left by which the will
of the people can be manifested.
Therefore, the citizens whose names are
hereunto attached do unite themselves into an
association for maintenance Of the peace and
good order of society-the prevention and
punishment of crime-the preservation oil
our lives and property, and to insure that
our ballot-boxes Shall hereafter express the
actual and unforged will of the majority of
our citizens; and we bind ourselves each unto
the other, by a solemn oath to do and per-
form every just and lawful act for the main
tenance of law and order and to sustain the
laws when faithfully and properly admins
tered But we are determined that no thief,
burglar, incendiary, assassin, ballot-box STUFF
fer, or other disturber of the peace, shall es-
cape punishment either by the quibbles of
the law-the insecurity of prisons-the care
lessness or corruption of the police, or a lax
ity of those who pretended to administer JUS
tice; and to secure the objects Of this asso-
citation we do hereby agree.
/. That the name and style Of this asso-
citation shall be the Committee of Vigilance,
for the protection of the ballot-box, the lives
liberty and property Of the citizens and resi-
dents of the city of San Francisco.
>. That there shall be Rooms for the de
liberations Of the Committee, at which there
shall be one or more members of the Com
mittee appointed for that purpose, in constant
attendance at all hours of the day and night,
to receive the report of any member of the
Association or of any other persons whatso-
ever, of any act of violence done to the per-
son or property Of any citizen of San Fran
cisco; and if, in the judgment Of the member
or members OF the Committee present, it be
such an act as iustifies or demands the inter
ferance Of this Committee either in aiding in
the execution of the laws, or the prompt and
summary punishment of the offender the
Committee shall be at once assembled for the
purpose of taking such action IS a majority
of them, when assembled, shall determine
upon.
8. That 1t shall be the duty of any mem
ber or members of the Committee on duty at
the Committee Rooms, whenever a general
assemblage of the Committee is deemed nee
essary, to cause call to be made in such
manner as shall be found advisable.
f. That whereas an Executive Committee
has been chosen by the General Committee,
! =. ,I,,l l,o fla I,,t.r af f1to tive
Committee to deliberate and act upon all i'm
portant questions, and decide upon the meas
ures necessary to carry out the objects for
which this association was formed.
5. That whereas this Committee has been
; organized into subdivisions, the Executive
, Committee shall have power to call when
they shall so determine, upon Board Of
Delegates, to consist of three representatives
from each Division, TO confer with them upon
matters Of vital Importance.
That all matters of detail and govern
ment shall be embraced in a code of BY
Laws.
I. That the action of this body shall be
entirely and vigorously free from all con-
sideration Of or participation in, the merits
or dement's, or opinions or acts, of any and
all sects, political parties, or sectional diyis-
ions in the community; and every class OF
orderly citizens, of whatever sect, party or
nativity, may become members of this body.
No discussion Of political, sectional or secta-
ran subjects shall be allowed in the rooms Of
the association
8. That no person accused before this body
shall be punished until after fair and impair
ta trial and conviction.
g. That whenever the General Committee
have assembled for delberation, the decision
of the majority upon any question that may
be submitted to them by the Executive Com
mittee shall be binding upon the whole pro-
vided, nevertheless, that when the delegates
t. are celebrating upon the punishment to be
= awarded to any criminals, no vote inaicting
:, the death penalty shall be binding unless
passed by two-thirds of those present and en-
titled to vote.
10. That all good citizens shall be eligible
for admission to this body, under such regu-
lations as may be prescribed by Committee
on Qualifications and if any unworthy per
e sons gain admission, they shall, on due proof,
/, be expelled And believing ourselves to be
executors of the will Of the majority of our
: citizens we do pledge our sacred honor to de-
:, fend and sustain each other in carrying out
the determined action Of this Committee, at
the hazard of our lives and our fortunes.
n PARKER H. FRrNcH.- The CaRfornia
r american says
e Read the following, from the New York
Herald, goth May, and prepare to snile.-
e. Al. Ii