Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1859-09-13
prrnRM MEETING IN BALTIMORE.

moc,;n', he would read the following prcambie'
nd r,solutinn., for the consideration Of tho
meeting: ,,.,, = -,
republican governments that the power oil Sc
lectinr men to fill the various Offices OF truS,
and clnolumcnt in the State Is inherent IN aho
NAV be exercised only by the people at large,
or by those to whom they may delegate tila'
power, and
Whereas in the city Of Baltimore this rrln'
ciplc has been departed from t" 50 important
degree that the authority to select ana nom,
nate for every office has been OF late Sclzcd anu
appropriated, without the sanction OF the masses
of the people, by a small minority OF our Gu,
zcr-, who have, in many instances, III nos'
diSordcrly and violent manner, prcve:.teh iaii
EXPRESSION of sentiment Oh the part OF the regal
voters of the city, and
Whereas. it is impossible that, in the present
condition of affairs there can be III uncontrol'
led exercise of or elective privileges and fran
chiscs. either in primary meetings Or Oh cleo
ton days at the polls; and
Whereas. we are convinced that Our city is
suffering, both in her domestic and foreign in.
tcrc,ts. because of the abuses which have re-
suited from this wrestling Of privilege and au-
thortv from the mary and concentrating both
in the few; and
Whereas. many of our best citizens both ma.
tive and foreign born, are rapidly losing conf.
dence in the ability or the willingness Of the
people to protect their lives and heirpropcriy;
and
Whereas. il is true that while political rule
rests where it now does, many strangers bust
ness men and others may think it unsafe to
existing relations, or form new ones
with Us; ana
Whereas. there can he no question that mp.
prehcnsion hangs like pail upon the minds ol
n large number OF our people, and that We are
icered and scented by our rivals. and greatly
ccnsurcd by orr friends OF other cities and OF
the country, for so long permitting the grlev'
onccs named to exist without an effort IL abatc
them: and
Whereas. we believe that combined effort
must and will result in the fullest and happic>t
success; therefore
Resolved. That wc will rc.cstabli>h in our
midst the principle hcrcinbciore set forth, and
th,t we invoke all good AMI true citizens to AID
us in the effort.
Resolved, That the legal voters Of Baltimore,
be they whom they may, shall exercise their
elective rights and franchises uncontrolled and
by any parties or persons, and
that all who seek To modest or interfere with
them shall be visited with the heaviest penal
ties OF the law.
Resolved. That the public offices ofthis great
city ought to he entrusted to none bat compc-
tent. honest and faithful men, who will regard
the public welfare AS paramount to private m
,crcstS. and who cannot be corruptcdh y b:ihc>,
or in,imida;cd by threats
Resolved, That we have such men in our
mirls,. and We hereby pledge ourselves to en-
ploy or best efforts to place them IN authorl-
IT,
Resolved. That in this movement we utterly
rcpndatc MI party motives, ties and predilcc-
tons. being governed and influenced solely by
n desire to retrieve the good lame Of orr city
which has been 50 seriously compromised, and
10 establish authority, so necessary 10 good or.
der. in the hands of good men, without regard
To party names or party politics.
Resolved, That there shall be appointed by
,hr President and Vice Presidents Of this meet
ing. or a majority Of them, committee Of
twenty men, consisting Of one from each ward
ard that these twenty men, together with the
pre,idcn, of this meeting, shall constitute Il
Central Committee" who shall hc authorized
and directed to nominate ut As early day as
NAV be cxpcdcnt and practicable, candidates,
without regard to party, and 10 he selected from
the best. most reliable and most competent
men in this community for the following Offices
namely:
For the Senate of the State of Maryland
one: for the House Of Delegates of the State
Of MARYLAND. ten: for. Attorney for the State
for the city of Baltimore, one; for Sheriff for
the city of Baltimore, one; for Clerk of the
Circuit Court for the city Of Baltimore, enc :;
for Judges Of the Orphans Court of Baltimore,
three. for the FIRST Branch Of the City Coun.
ell of Baltimore, twenty; for justices Of the
Peace for the city of Baltimore, twenty-five;
for ConstablcS of the city Of Baltimore. forty
four And that in selecting candidates for the
CITY Council, justices of the peace and consta-
blcs in the respective wards, the said commit
tee of twcnty-one .hall call to their aid and
counsel 4 subcommittee, which they may ap-
point, Of not less than five members from each
ward, they to he residents of the respective
wards in which they shall be appointed, said
s,lb committee to confer and consult with the
said central committee Of twcnty.onc. and that
the ward nominations be made for each ward
hv the said central committee of twenty -onc.
and the subcommittee for each ward, or ma.
iority Of both.
Resolved That the said Central Committee
shall prepare and present in person, to his
Honor, the Mayor of the city of Baltimore, a
respectful address. claiming at his hanlS the
appointment of judges Of election in every ward
in the CITY. and particularly for the ensuing
elections in October and November, Of unim-
peachable character. unhinching firmness, UNI
doubted courage, and the faircst honesty. Also,
that he will enroll and commission 900 special
constables, or police officers, in each ward, or
rs many for each ward as in the option Of the
Mayor and the Committee may be sufficient or
said special constahcs 10 be order
loving. rcsolutc, conservative men, who shall
cooperate with the regular police force in pre-
serving the peace, arrcsting offenders, and eS-
pccially any person or persons who may inter-
(rrc with or maltrcat, or attempt to Interfere
with or maltrcat, any legal voter; or who may
endcavor to prevent any legal voter rfom exer-
riSing his elective rights; that he will cothc the
entire police force, regular and special. with
the fullest powers of the Law. and publish to
them in the daily papers Of the city such per-
cmptory and plain orders and directions as will
them to meet promptly and eiiec
lively any and every emergency. and justify
them in using their authority with such vi:or
As occasion may require; also. that he will, if
the power to do so vests in him. cause all drink
ing houses to be closed on said election days,
and that he will take all other measures to Sc
rurc peaceful and fair election. and guarantee
to every legal voter his sacred rights as a free
citizen Of this Commonwealth.
Resolved, That his honor the Mayor be re-
specially requested by said Central Committee
to reply in writing to the address presented TO
him BY them. and tina; they Cause both the adj.
ress and the answer To it 10 he printed in all
the daily papers Of the city, in order that the
citizens Of Baltimore, whose deep Solicltudc on
the subject IS apparent 10 every observer. may
have the fullest assurance Of protection and So
rurity.
Resolved, That the said Central Committee
,bol ol.o rocpoc, fI1,- tcnIar thp;r IN onnrotinn