New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1858-02-15
MEETING OF CITIZENS AT GOTHIC HALL
IN REFERENCES TO THE DEATH OF MIX.
cJMONsON


sPpOIyTNENT OF A VIGILANCE COMMITTEE.
meeting, composed Of from one huodred ard fifty
10 two hundred citizens mostly persons friends Of the
Lite Mr. Simotson, was held at Gothic Hail. in Adam
street. Last evening for the purpose of expressing sym
patty for his surviving relatives and regret for his un-
finely end AFRO 10 appoint Committee of Inquiry or
Visila. CO COMMITTEE 10 that the ends of justice
were not defeat d. aud that the perpetrator Of the
murder might be bought to Justice
About 8 Q cl Ok the meeting was called 10 der by
Wv. II. WRIGHT, who nominated OK Mayor GEORGE
HALL as Chairman, which was unanimously carried.
On taking the chair, MIR. HALL stated that tue
meeting had been called gether at short notice by
the fetds OF the deceased, who felt il incumbent on
1temeelyee TO take measures with reference to
the ess assnatiGn Of Mr SiunOnson, and with view
to the protection of tie lives and property Of resPecs
bic citizens. The meet & had before them the fact
thst res eetabo citizea had been struck do and
killed by cowsrdly q sassin. murder had been
committed in the most popular portion OF the city,
lie bad 10 enemy or any one VINO was Thought 10 De
willing to do hip harm, and Notwithstanding oil this
Mr. Snopson lad been brutally murdered in the very
midst Of these freDdr. lie was glad to see go large
and respectable as,emblsge, and the fact that there
was no public notice showed that the deceased
had the sypftass ts bSSp law shos sS
be strictly enforced, aud that the cowardy assassin
should meet his Just deserts. lCheers. II was time
that the whole public should take active part in
lie matter Tie streets Of the city were filed with
Young men who brutal in their passions, aud
Committed crime with iInpunityi yet but little was
thought OF it. The intention of the meeting was to
see that offences of thus kind should not 90 unpun-
isbed. The meeting hai been called hastily ani
these present were not prepared for any particular
action but be hoped that Committee would be ap'
pointed whOse duty ehoud be to gee that the case
vac fairly tried aud that the guilty parties should be
brought TO punishment. He called attention TO the
case If Becker IL NewYork, when the farce OF trial
was had, and ITALY tie party committing t1e crime
was Get free. He hoped that the Committee would
all a far il
10 be ovad.d ss It was then. For himself he would
say that he would constantly viglsnt, and that not
only by dey but by night be would give Ms per39naI
attention TO the matter that justice should be
done IL the premises, The meeting could rely Oh him
in auy emergency.
MI Hal Sas much affected during the delivery of
his address.
RopSAs b. DAwsos was then nominated as Score
tary, wien
Mr. WRleHT mo, ed that n committee be appointed
TO watch the Trial oi the prisoners.
The CHAIRMAN, iD putting the notion observed that
the committee might be called COMMITTEE ct Nigi-
lance to inquire into the circumstances Of this case
and that Justice was done when the murderer was
found out.
Tie following gentlemen were then proposed and
confirmed "a Vigilance Committee:
William Van Brort Winchester Britain,
Jstnes l. IA,te, Daniel z. BauEfd
Andrew Descndorf John X Oskley
James Le,s,tty Richstd Martin,
JoSa P. RON. George L. SsmPsor
The Chairman, Mr.. Hall was subsequently added
DIR. MEL son SHAtRhAN, Inspector OF tae AhUu RE
Cinot Police who was Intimate friend of deceased)
offered resolution 10 the effect that every person in
the room attend the funeral services Of deceased and
thatas murk Of respect, they wear Grape 90 the lett
arm. The resolution was carried unanimously.
Mr.. ID. X. SEAMAN moved that the meeting Sdj0urn
to meet 1T the ell Of the Committee, which wa
adopted, and the assembly separated.
Some persons remained after the meeting had for
rsly adjourned, and several personal friends of de-
ceased, who appeared mach excited proposed to
yanize and appoint Vigilance Committee, with power
aud objects similar to those Of San Francisco by which
tina; city was cleared Of undesirable class Of the
community. The proposition was seconded hy several,
and tbey proceeded to enroll the names OF those
presett for the purpose Of taking the prioners in
change, and TO regulate matters which demanded
regulation hereafter. Mr.. George Hall interposed,
and stated that the object Of the meeting ha thus far
been accomplished, and advised them not to commit
any acts which might Be in violation OF Law sod order
Capt. shsurmau also spoke to tho same effect, and
nothing more was done than the enrolment Of number
preseo TO take such sction hereafter a. thsy felt the
urgency OF the case required.