The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1859-09-20

Entering DWeIlnS houses, n ulSanceS.20O
By simple calculation based upon the expert
and practice of the Court we can form an ad-
equate estimate of the time necessary to DISPOSE
this amount of business.
The seven murder cases | have put down at seven
weeks, as | have never tried contested case of
murder in less time. Forty-eight cases of assault
with intent to murder, will put down at the rate
of one per day, and allowing five days to the week
| have jury, making nine and half weeks
Thirty cases of larceny, two per day, three weeks;
fifteen cases OF forgery two three per week, five
weeks; three escaping from the penitentiary, one
week; three cases of robbery and burglary, sixty
eight assaults and riots four per day, three weeks;
five arson cases, two weeks.
The above calculation is made upon the SUPPOSE
ton that there is no delay in getting the cases
ready for trial: such absence of witnesses, sick
ness or absence of counsel, &c. Thus you find that
this term commences with eight months labor,
which, as to the time exceeds that of the Court 5
session for any year since it was organized
This calculation does not embrace the two hundred
cases of minor Importance, where indictments are
already pending, single Indictment of some
five hundred that must be found by the present
grand jury, embracing several for murder"
The police organization has also furnished a
fruitful theme for comment. The most improbable
and exaggerated statements in reference to its
management, and the discipline of the service have
found willing among MANY in this communi-
ty. When the appointments made in the
Council, you will recollect that special invitation
was extended to that body to cooperate with the
Mayor in selecting the best men, and to guard him
against error. The whole community were at liber-
ty to speak in reference to any name which was
deemed Objectionable. Dismissals and suspensions
under the rule of the service have been of common
occurrence. The citizens have been invited, time
and again, to make complaint where cases of delin-
quency occurred under their observation. In no
single instance has the Mayor refused to act upon
wel-founded charge against any officer, where it
has been sustained by reliable testimony. If off
GERS neglect their duty, it is because they escape
detection. What mean to say is, that every eff
fort has been made. both by the Marshal and nv
self, to secure an efficient organization and | feel
justified in saying that it compares fayorably with
that of any other city.
l come now, fellow-eitizens, to the more immedi-
ate object of this address viz the resolutions passed
ey the Town Meeting lately convened in Monument
Square.
1t is no part of my purpose to question the mo-
tives of those, at whose instance this meeting was
assembled, or to disparage in the slightest degree
the object which appears to have governed their
action. believe these motives to be sincere and
honest only regret that their proceedings should
not have breathed liberal spirit towards the
authorities of this city proper appreciation of
the office which hold. and the relation of respon-
sibility in which stand towards the people of this
city, would render it difficult for me- while | am
ready at all times to receive suggestions from them
or any other class of citizens, to entertain Off
ciaHy the claims of the committee appointed to
share with me the powers conferred by the charter
of the city.
The Mayor of this city is the representative OF
the whole people An attempt to circumscribe or
control his action, to introduce into his councils
with view 10 nominate officers, or for other NUM-
cipal State purposes, the organs of any partcu-
lar party or assocation-of ward meetings or town
meetings, not recognized representing the entire
constituency from which he holds his power. is GER
tain to lead to remonstrance, the submission OF
similar claims from other associations of citizens
who NAV have equally laudable objects to accom-
plish. While the Executive of the city has right
to receive the approaches of any class of citi-
zens who may desire to communicate with him in
reference to any matter touching his public welfare
he has no right to share his powers. which have
been conferred upon him alone, with any official
body, without the consent of the whole city.
Suppose meeting, numerically stronger than
that which has been held in the Square. should ap-
point committee similar to the one already indi-
Gated, to cooperate with the Mayor and claim GER
tain nominations at his HANDS? How is he to
decide? The charter of the city contemplates no
such interference on the part of any one with the
free exercise of his functions. If it be conceded to
one party interest, it may be claimed with equal
justice by all-and the Mayors office would soor
become rendezvous for committees, each striving
to advance the claims of particular favortes; or il
may be to promote objects detrimental to the well
fare of the city.
! The position In which am placed | am well
aware is one of deicacy and responsibility. A large
body OF respectable merchants, acting through {
committee appointed by their meeting in the
| Square, "claim at the hands of the Mayor the ap
pointment of Judges of Election in every ward il
the city, and particularly for the ensuing elections
IN October and November, of unimpeachable char
acter, unfiinching firmness undoubted courage anC
the purest honesty" Also, ''that he will appoin
and commission two hundred special policemen il
each ward, or so many from each ward as in tn
opinion of the Mayor and the committee may be suffi
Gent or necessary for the same"
With these demands upon me is coupled the ad
monition "that while this meeting trusts that tn
measures they propose will produce the desired re
suits. and that the authorities of the city will &C
efficiently in the spirit of these resolutions in pre-
serving order and securing to all citizens their un
doubted rights, yet as these just expectations ma
be disappointed, therefore we do hereby declar
that the said Central Committee be and they ar
hereby also authorized and requested, in the even
that from any cause they have good reason to be
lieve that the necessary and proper steps have no
been taken and will not be taken, to secure fai