The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1859-09-24

OF the late Town Meeting respectfully approached
the MAYOR with statement of their grievances,
and rendered him their cooperation in devising
and enforcing such remedial measures as might be
necessary, they were entitled to receive from him
frank and manly answer. They represented
men whose irreproachable characters sufficiently
guaranteed the purity of their intentions, whose
vast Interests in this city gave them some claim to
be heard at a moment like this, and whose calm
and digniied assertion of their rights called for
something more than vague and equlvocal reply.
They preferred no illegal demands nor did they
ask any improper concessions They desired only
that protection at the polls which the laws pro-
vide for, and the authorities have the means to Sc
cure them. They insist that the privileges which
belong to them citizens shall no longer be torn
from them and trampled under foot They allege,
what few in this community dare now deny, that
through the frauds and outrages perpetraed at the
recent elections, the great mass of the people of
Baltimore have been insuted and diSfranchi-
sed. Under these circumstances the Committee
requested that the Judges of Election
should be men 'of unmpeachable char
'acter, unfinching firmness, undoubted courage,
'and the purest honesty" and further, that "a
numerous and strong body" of ''order-loving,
tresolute and conservative" citizens might be
clothed with the authority of special policemen.
They offered, in order that these simple measures
might the more eifectually and easily be carried
out, to assist the MAYOR in making the requisite
selections, or to seek out and recommend proper
men for these various places. Such were the first
steps taken by this ''Vigilance Committee" TO-
response of the MAYOR is Enthusiastically vague,
evasive and deceptive. He is profuse of promises,
which are too indefinite to be understood, and too
unsubstantial to be relied on. Not one candid
word does be speak about accepting or rejecting
the cooperation of the Committee II have
'no right" he says, ITO divide the powers
tand responsibilities of this office with any
'class of citizens;'' though, in the same
breath, he tells them IT am ready now,
Gas l have been heretofore, to commission
Hany number of conservative men, free from
''party bias, who may have real wish to co-ope-
''rate with the authorities of the CITY," When
again written TO for an explanation of these am
bguous phrases, and asked to state explicitly
whether the Committees Incorporation and assist
lance will be accepted, he rejoins by quoting his
former language, without degning to make its
meaning clearer. But the subterfuge is palpable
enough. The MAYOR, in fact and purpose de-
clines the aid of the Committee though he lacks
the courage to tell them so in categorical terms.
And when, in the future, he may be reproached for
this refusal, he will protest most vehemently the
falsity of such charge, and point to the sentences
expressive of his readiness to commission those
who have "a real wish" to cooperate with the
authorities Never yet has he taken one wavering
step forward, without erecting as he goes some
paltry defenCes, behind which he may retreat for
shelter, in case he is assailed. The course pur-
| sued by him, in reference to the Judges of Elec-
ton, is illustrative of this distinguishing trait of
his whole administration. The Committee only
asked him to do that which, if he properly under
stood or faithfully discharged his duty, he should
always have done without suggestion or advice.
Notwithstanding this, he has made in filing these
places, some appointments which it would have
been disreputabe to have made on any OCCASION
and many which it is worse than disgraceful to
have made at such time as this Having acted
he tells the Committee they should have inter
fered sooner, though he never permitted the
slightest intimation TO be given them that their
assistance would be received. We are well salts
fled that had it been rendered, it would have been
refused, though the MAYOR now complains of their
neglect to offer it. Conscious that many of the
Judges, whom ne selected nominated, and asked the
Council to conrm-are utterly unfit for the situa-
tons he would have them fill, he comes forward
with the ptiful and mean excuse that the Council
is bound by law to divide with him the response
bility and shame The miserable and technical
objection with which he meets the allegation that
many of those whom he has re-appointed betrayed
| their trusts year ago, when they saw without
protest. violence offered to the voters and fraudu-
lent votes deposited in the baot-boxes, is in fit
| accordance with the context of the document of
which it forms portion. He wants legal evil
| dence of the wrongs done at the last election
He might have had the proofs piled mountains
high twelve months ago, but it did not suit HIM to
demand or even inquire for them then If he really
wishes to obtain the information now with
view to his ''ulterior action" we respectfully refer
him to his police, the members of the City Council
and the hangers on about the MAYORS office for,
to our own knowledge, there are some honest men
among all these who admit without hesitation the
outrages committed on the day in question. But
we forbear, at present, further comment on cor
respondence which, upon the side is so honest,
and on the other, so disingenuous. 1t is not a
pleasant duty to dwell upon the topics ofwhch it
is suggestive.