The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1859-10-19

MANY dlsagreeable rumors, which have been
anoat IN TINS community, in regard to the CORES
ponaence between the Mayor of the city and nv
SELL growing out of the outrages inflicted on me at
the recent election, have reached me- and have
sought every opportunity, personally and through
my friends, OF correcting them. My attention was
yesterday called to one in the local columns of The
American, and sent note to that paper, request
ing the statement to be made that there had been
no personal interview between the Mayor and my
self ON the subject, and that our correspondence
had been perfectly respectful on both Sides By
| some mistake, that correction was not made this
morning, as hoped it would be, and to prevent the
circulation OF further annoying reports, think it
| proper to make public statement of all that has
occurred on the subject ISL ~ -
On the morning after the election, nv friend Mr.
Ridgeey delivered to the Mayor the letter of which
the following is copy:
To the Hon. Thomas S,cann, "
T. Mayor Of Baltimore City.
| 49, BALTIMORE, Oct 18th, 1852
outrage so bb fesI tne SUBJECT OF Individual
your hands. went to the polls at the twentieth
Tor the Of casting my vote and Of cooperating
authorities such aid could in preserving order and
M M very % snr ma with or
on quietly and we unmolesed 1t became an.
parent that band of ruans had determined to take DOS
session of the polls and they openly proclaimed their
intention to do No preparation was made by
the police to prevent them and Others who were with
repeatedly told the police that we were there for no
other purpose than to aid them in the discharge of their
duty and asked them to call in case of necessity
raul Piacide struck an unofending in the mouth
with large stone within twenty yards of the polls Gene
raj Watkins and myself pursued him for some distance
calling the police assist u.s. none of them Maid
any attention to call, and Placide escaped COM
municated the fact of the assault officers
ally, and gave them the names of one or two gentlemen
who witnessed it, and requested them to arrest PIacide
but was told in reply that had occurred around the
polls and the only remedy was to make compIaint
for hiS
spoke the Sergeant in command obtained no great
er satisfaction from him. When Marshal Herring came
around told him the facts, and to my amazement no
steps still taken. This made marked object of
Indignation to the rufans, and they openly threatened
that before the morning over should be punished
for my Interference and either killed locked up in the
station The police not only heard this but they were
told OF it by friend of mine and in reply to his soicita
ton to protect of them said was creating more
disturbance than any else The ruans soon carried
into execution their threat to take possession polls
and met absolutely no resistance from the authorities
Eated by their success and lmpunty they began an in
discriminate attack The Sergeant think seized upon
Morgan and some one else seized upon another them
but they both succeeded after brief scufe in getting
awayno other officer acting to que riot-no orders
to do so, being given and assistance called for from
those OF US, who ready to render it. man near
me was Knocked down and about to be more brutally
matreated not murdered interfered protect him
The cry was instantly raised and repeated for mouth 10
mouth NOW is our tmekill the damned son of bitch y
and they all rushed at mel defended myself with nv
cane-keepng them off until backed upon the steps Of
an adjoining house and no officer my relief At
length of the rufians exclaimed arrest him he dre
pistol" Officer No 223 whose name was told is
Edwards rushed upon me- saying damn him-rll arrest
him." and rudey and violently seized me told him
ne need not expend his yaor upon mel had intention
to resist violate the law and would 90 with him
asked him to take me to your Office, and let you
investigate the charge He refused insisted upon
taking me to the western District Station Some
nan dozen dislnterested gentlemen went along with
me, and assured the officer that they were ali near
me, during the ARRAY and that had not drawn or at.
tempted to draw pistol but had only used my cane to
protect myself 1t had eeche insisted on carrying
me to the station As We went along we met Morgan
who had been of the orignaors of the disturbance
ers now, which the officer replied-waying him off 81
have him safe' On my arrival at the station man
pistol on him. asked the Sergeant in charge to take
his testimony under OATH He refused. asked him to
were there prepared prove that had never from The
beginning to the end of the ARRAY even attempted
d PISTOL This also he refused, saying that but
ponce magistrate could examine the asked him to
send for such an officer; he refused offered annie hail
was refused and was told, that be locked up
unti SIX O'Clock in the evening, which was the regular
hour for such examinations was accordingly Locked
up IN nlhy hole until some of my friends succeeded in
witnesses promptly dismissed the Charge and ordered
For these outrages, done me by your officers IT is
quite obvious that cannot hold them to sufficient ar
countabity But have the power to give me redress
and your official duty, and position as gentleman en-
you with satisfactory evidence corroborate the state
ment have made, and respectfully request that at anv
investigation, which you may determine TO institute
may have the privilege of being after such notice
as may enable me to place you fully possession of the
proofs. am very resnectfnIIv VI Inc
Your obedient servant
7 JNo. H. THOMAS.
The next day, the letter, of which the following
IL copy, was handed to me by police officer:
MAYOR OFFICE, October IA 1859
SiR: nave received your letter of yesterdays date
nave ordered the suspension of the officer in command
Ul ane uen ward polls as also the officer by whom you
were arrested: propose to summon these parties to-
geher with others in that ward have been reported
to me as delinquens on Tuesday IL O'Clock at the
Mayors office would be glad if you can make it conve
nient to be present on that day.
am, with great respect your ob'dt serv't
JOHN H. THOMAS, Esq ''' SWAMI mayor
On the succeeding day, Mr. Ridgeley carried to the
Mayors office second letter, of which the follow
ing is a transcript:
To the Hon. Thomas S,yann
Mayor Of Baltimore City
BALTIMORE, Oct 18TH 1850
SIR Your letter of yesterday is received and thank
you for your prompt attention to my complaint
VIII give me pleasure to attend your office at the
time indicated by you take the liberty in the mean
ume or lnclosng list of the other gentlemen
who were present on the occasion to which referred
Permit me- Also again to call your attention to the con-
have since learned, is Arthur Walters and to whom
in your letter, you do not refer.
am, very respectfully
Your ob't servant
JNo. H. THOMAS.
Learning, to his regret, in which l participate.
that the Mayor had been seized with an attack of
sudden and serious illness, he declined, until he
could have an opportunity of consulting with me.
to deliver my letter to Mr.. McPhai, Who was act
ing IN the Mayors stead.
The next day wrote Mr.. McPhail the following
letter. enclosing list of the names and residences
of witnesses:
TO the Hon. I'm. NcPhai1, Acting Mayor
BALTIMORE, Oct 17th 1859.
SIR: take the liberty of inclosng you the names of
some of the gentlemen who the goth ward polls on
the day of the election and whose testimony as to the
conduct of the police that occasion will be material
at the examination which the Mayor informed me he
proposed to make into the circumstances to morrow
hope you will consider within the sphere of your nty
to request them to attend. 49, 10y
am, very respectfully
Your ob't servant,
JNo. H. THOMAS
received the following reply:
n. BALTIMORE, Oct 18th 1859.
hEsPEoTED SIR Your note to me this morning en-
received; in answer would state that the unfor &
ce so far as haveinformaon has heretofore been in
az h tat each OF the parties present their testimony
at ne examination by giving them the necessary info
NATION OF the time and place set for It. and T have
no disposition to depart from general practice and shall
De Pleased to have you produce all evidence Won NAV
have in the 'lt 'U may
Yours respectfully,
Mayor, croft.
AT ten minutes before twelve o'clock, (the bour
appointed by Mr.. Swami in company with some
twelve or fourteen gentlemen, accordingly made |
hce, and stated to Mr.. McPhail, that was thara |
IN obedience to the notification of the Mavor. for
the purpose of substantiating the charges made in
fn y Iet9er c ne replied that he had not been in
OF Mr. SWANS letter to me, he supposed the ~
animation would be made at the usual honr which
ne said, was nine o'clock that he had detained tbe
ohcers for that purpose until halfpast ten and no
one appearing against them, had dismissed the
charge. He added that he had discovered the mis-.
take-had notified the officers to reappear at nine
O'Clock tomorrow, and was about WRITING me a
hote lor the same purpose. / naturally expressed
my surprise that it had not occurred to bim-if he
nad no other sources of information-to inquire of
me, as was very accessible, and having the
mayors letter. could easily ,iabave removod
any doubt on the subject. He renIied that If
chose, he would investigate the matter
tomorrow, to which l responded tbat =
would not become me to suggest to him -
course of inquiry he ought to pursue as to The Dc
lInquencies of his officers had made INV Con-
plant and was present with witnesses to snbstan-
tate It, The Secretary of the Mayor then suogest-
ed that he had better take the testimony of those
VINO were then present, as to save them the from
Die OF coming back, and let me re-appear to-morroy
Wnen the officers would be examined Mr. McPba;l
sa!o, I'VE Will take your testimony now'-I re
pned In compliance with the desire expressed hv
MT. Swami that he should be informed of anv de-
nnqueney on the part of the police on the dav of
the election, have given him and you full ipforma
tlon, and here are gentlemen to substantate what
nave SAID 1t rests with you to determine vour
own official conduct" ''D
, He observed that might name nv own dav for
the investigation. replied-"With entire resnect
10 you, SIT, prefer, so far have any individual
to redress, that it should be done through
Mt. swami, to whom first applied, and on whom
.ne responsibility rests. agreeable to YOU there
lore, Will name this day week" He said-"Sup
r oh t,lA Al |