The American. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1857, 1857-07-31
COMMUNICATIONS.

The PoIics Of Wasaiagton--T Their Cos0ardly con-
daet-1hs Grand Jsyy's Report ogruder's
Standardization Pailure--"E Empire Club"
Where were the Police, on last election day,
that they did not arrest the individuals who made
the disturbance at the Fourth Ward polls in the
morning This question has often been asked, but
never answered. We repeat it. Where sofrs they
" Echo answers, ,hersp The Grand jury tell us
that the balloting proceeded quietly until few
minutes past nine o'clock in the morning, when a
party of twelve or fourteen persons designated as
Rip Raps or Plug Uglies, from Baltimore came
on the ground"
They marched above the polls clear of the cit
liens, from eighty to one hundred of them) who,
in a line, were proceeding towards the window,
each voting in turn. Having reconnotered the
premises the party Of strangers left the scene for
short period and then returned with an increased
force OF their partizans also from Baltimore, to-
gether with a number O: persons who reside in
this city. That they were coming to Washington
with evil intentions, the Chief of Police and the
Captain Of the Auxiliary Guard had reason TO sus-
pect several days prior to their arrival But this
apprehension was removed by subsequent inform
alton received by the Mayor. However, detach-
ment of police repaired to the railroad station on
the morning Of the first of June, and there wit
messed the arrival Of the Baltimore party The
object Of proceeding thither was, as stated in evil
dence, oscan closely the appearance of the strang
ers, SO that they might be readily identified"
Now, after having " scanned closely the appear.
ance Of the strangers" what did this detachment
ofpolce dor Did they forthwith make a report to
the Chief Of Police and Captain of the Auxiliary
Guard. in order that their combined force Of some
fifty men might watch the movements of the
strangers, and be in readiness the instant they
should begin the disturbance of the peace to ar
rest them Not at ALL For it is certain that no
concentration Of the police force. was had and not
the least attempt made by them to arrest the riot
ers. This base and cowardly neglect of duty, the
Grand Jury Gnstead of finding bills of indictment
against them for gross neglect of duty, as they
ought make most awkward attempt to excuse.
They say-that " the police force on that day was
insufficient 10 preserve the peace." Insufficient!
How do they know that? Oh say they, the
Plug Uglies" came armed, and there was a large
party of them! "tsoeive fourteen in nuaa6er."--
This formidable army was reinforced, until it
was swelled to the overwhelming number of " ff.
teen tnenty!" "Tbe police force on that day was
insufficient to preserve the peace" say the Grand
Jury Undoubtedly. What nifty police officers
sufficient to subdue fifteen or twenty roterss No,
indeed! Not they. Only fifty men, to oppose
fifteen or twenty! So absurd m idea was not to
be entertained single moment. Thrice valiant
knights! Trustworthy guardians of the public
peace Such heroism in the hour of your coun.
ry's peril, cannot go unrowarded. Each of you
deserve a " leather medal" Then the respect for
the supremacy of " law" which your conduct on
that trying occasion shows, is above all praise
the great fundamental law--the first Law of nature
or the " law of number one !" After meeting the
strangers at the railroad station, and " scanning
closely their appearance" you proved yourselves
largely possessed of "the better part of vaor'-
General Santa Anna himself must yield the palm
to your superior claims. He would sometimes
fight when his forces outnumbered that of Old
Rough and Ready Two or three to one, if he did
afterwards take TO his heels, but you, like greater
towards, were careful TO keep out of hams
way
The Magruder administration has at length
completely satirfed the citizens of Washington Of
one thing, and that is its total inefciency, from
the highest officer down to the very lowest.
1t is well known that large number Of the
Democrrtc Empire Club" came on here from
Baltimore on Saturday prior to the first of June,
and were in the city OH the day Of election, some
of them being ut the Mace of riot. and TINT one of
them received a slight gunshot wound. That
large share of the disturbance on that day was
caused by them, there can be no doubt, for it was
proved before the Grand Jury that party Of riot
Gus strangers from Baltimore, roamed through the
city on that day unmolesed, firing pistols, throw
ing stones, and shouting =" Ho ye Empires |" but
for wise rcasons, the Grand Jury deemed it mex
pedient to make any report Of their conduct.
VINDEX.