The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1859-11-08
ADDRESS OF THE CENTRAL REFORM
COMMITTEE.
CITIZENS OF BALTIMORE:

cent election by deeply contrived fraud and over
towering violence, carried to extent which
could hardly be credited, it not that you have
experienced the one and witnessed the other. The
extensive scale Of the operations, their careful de-
sign and skilltul combination, indicate direct com
picty, or, at the least, criminal connivance on the
part of the authorities of the city. large majority
of the legal voters, we confidently believe were
in favor Of the Reform movement, and were pre-
pared to sustain it by their votes on Wednesday
last and a conviction of this fact, doubtless led to
the monstrous determination on the part of those
in power to retain it at any cost.
With some exceptions those who were appointed
Judges of election were not qualified either by ca
pacity character for that important office; and
while few are entitled to all praise for their man.
ly efforts, under the most trying circumstances to
maintain your rights, large aiorty wholly fail
ed to do their duty. The polls in some instances
placed in situations immediately under the
control of the clubs who had their aTsenas close at
hand, with every preparation made to take posses
sion of the polls and drive away voters BY force of
arms. Illegal votes in great numbers were receiv-
ed by many of the judges without question or scru-
pie Not few persons voted many times in the same
ward, and many others voted in wards where they did
notreside. Omnibus loads OF observation-disclosures who
had been ccaxed or Kidnapped into vile GOODS and
there confined for days, were carried about from
place to place and voted as often as their keepers
thought proper. No ATTEMPT was made by the
authorities to break up the arsenals coops. Re-
spectacle citizens were brutally assaulted, beaten
and driven from the polls. Very few naturazed
citizens were allowed to vote or even to approach
the polls Various kinds of violence annoyance
and intimidation resored to, and if those had
not suiced, the clubs were prepared to carry the
election, as we have every reason to believe, BY
wholesale murder When this became clearly
apparent, with view of saving the lives of citi-
zens, we used efforts successfully to withdraw
all active opposition, and throughout the CITY the
clubs were left in uncontrolled possession of The
polls, except in the Sth and 18th wards In the
18th ward order was partially preserved through
IN law md in ! rnrl u
were so largely in the majority and were in such
great force, that they had the control entirely in
their own power, but to their great credit, not
outstanding the provocation oecasioned by the i'll
treatment OF their friends in all the other wards
the voting was conducted fairly and peaceably dur
ing the entire day.
In the rest of the city no election was In fact
held. That which was so denOmnated was ashame-
full mockery in which all fair expression of opinion
was prevented by intimidation fraud and violence.
And we cannot even stop here, but it is our mel
ancholy duty to state that foul and bloody muir
der was added to the other crimes of the day. This
community will long deplore the death of an ex-
ceent fellow-citizen, Adam Barclay Kyle, Jr., who
lost his life in manly effort to maintain his
right as a voter and perform his duty in
the manner recommended by this commit
tee. But he has not died in vain. His blood
was shed in defence of the dearest rights of free
men, and that honor awaits his memory which is
awarded to those who lay down their lives for their
country. great sacrifice like this seemed to be
needed to arouse the people to just of their
degraded political condition and of their manifest
duty.
The police, with very few honorable exceptions
were shamefully delinquent, making no effort to
assist voters or suppress disorder, but openly SYM
pathlzng with the rioters, and in almost every case
arresting those only who were assaulted by rufans
and who endeavored to defend themselves. Little
reliance IN such an emergency be placed on
men who are chosen for their partizan services aad
whose continuance in office depends on the success
of the party to which they belong. On this occa-
sion the police no doubt, obeyed the instructions
which they had received from their superiors.
Citizens OF Baltimore, the men who have been
returned by the officers of the law as YOUR rulers
and representatives. have no right to these places
Anon zst them are those who claim to be- and who
have always been considered honest and honorable
1t Is both principle of law and maxim in morals,
that tn receiver of property, known to have been
obtained by robbery, is as guilty as the taker; and
they who, by fraud and violence are elected to Of
hces OF trust cannot retain them without incurring
guilt equal to that of the instruments by whom
they were chosen. on have good right, therefore,
to ask and expect that every honest man who has
been returned elected will hasten to decline an
office to which he has no just title.
But even If this obvious dictate of propriety and
duty should be disregarded, you are not without
remedy. On being satisfied of the facts of the case
the Legislature cannot fail to refuse seats to all
those who claim to be members elect of that BODY
And the Courts are open to contest the places
claimed by the rest. 1t is due to yourselves and
to the Frustrated honor of your city, that YOU
should not only solemny protest against the cleo
ton, bat that you should Immediately institute the
most etectua legal measures to prevent the offices
being taken possession of by those who have no
right to fill them.
We offer no suggestions in relation to the mem
bers Of Congress who have been returned elected
or to the Comptroller OF the State, because du-
ties appertain exclusively to municipal affairs.
Our functions as Committee are now at an end:
but in conclusion we most earnestly advise YOU to
apply to the Legislature for the enactment Of laws
which are indspensably necessary for any thorough
and permanent reform in your city government.
The bitter experience of the last few wears demon
strates the necessity
First-Of a Registry Law.
Second-Ofa law providing for the appointment,
by Commissioners selected by the legislature of
proper Judges and Clerks of Election
Third-Of "A considerable increase of the number
OF voting precincts.
Fourth-Of an entire reorganization of the Po-
lice, who should be appointed, as in the CITY of New
orE, by commissioners selected by the Legisla-
ture, and paid by the Treasurer of the State out of
money derived from taxes to be levied on the city,
The Police should be selected without regard to
party, and should be enlisted for period of five
years, subject to removal for misbehavior.
We also recommend that the Reform Associations
III the different wards be continued, and that by
them new Central Committee of twenty members
be chosen on whom should be devoved the very
important duty OF adopting and prosecuting Il the
necessary measures to contest the recent fraudulent
election, and to secure by appropriate legislation
the desired reforms
Do not, fellow-citizens, for a moment suspend
your efforts until your great wrongs re1ressed
and your city Is redeemed from its shame and sor-
row. There IS above us overriding Providence,
which is always on the side of right With conf
dence IN the goodness of your cause, ard resolute
determination to succeed, Baltimore may yet be-
come as conspicuous among her sister cities for the
maintenance of law and order as she now is notori
Gus Tor riot and misrue.
WIN. Woodward, Chairman.