The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1867-05-14
Discharge Of Most Of the Prisoners.

The case of the following named parties,
charged with being implicated in a riot on the
corner of Twenty-first and Main streets, and
resisting and wounding policemen in discharge
of their duty, was brought before the Mayor
yesterday-viz. DR.. Banks, William Hollo-
way (white), Aaron Short, Robert Hard
grove, Philip Banks, Jerry Page Bill Mccoy,
Beverly Skipwith Robert Lee, and Moses
Ross. The witnesses for the prosecution were
then sworn
Corporal Frank Forester testified that no.
tice was received at Libby prison at about 10
o'clock on Saturday night that there was n
disturbance on Main street. He went up 10
the corner of Main and Twenty first streets,
and saw q party of negroes standing on the
spot and heard them say, "D-n the police
men we have punished them, and we will do
il again, and if the id soldiers interfere we
will make them suffer, too. - The witness here
recog nized Holloway (white) rs being one of
the party and George Woodbridge an eX-
United States soldier, recognized Sharp and
Banks as being of them.
Policeman Engel also recognized one OF
them.
The Mayor, after hearing this evidence, said
he did not wish 10 hear any further evidence,
and made the following remarks, which we
commend to our colored readers
MAYOR MAyo's REMARKS.
The Mayor said that he wished everybody
10 understand that, as Mayor of the city OF
Richmond and the representative of the Com
monwealth Of Virginia In q court OF justice
he intended to do justice 10 all men, and that IN
this respect he did not doubt but that he was
more the friend of the colored people than
any one in the courtroom. BY law you
have been emancipated. The same laws now
apply to you as apply TO the whites, ana lht
same laws apply 10 them rs To You ana l
am determined 10 make every man, white or
black, obey the law. If 1 find white men
abusing, assaulting, or beating you, L shalI
fine them or send them on to be indicted, ana
will do the same towards you if | find
you treating white people unlawfully. l
make these remarks so as TO be fully under
stood l hear that you were advised last eve
ming, and very properly so too, to obey the
orders of General Schoiield. He Is put here
TO see that the people obey the laws, and ne
will always be prompt TO do so. II he mas
me not obeying the laws, he VIII act towards
me AS he will towards every one. would ad-
monish YOU TO be calm. You are us free as l
am Assert your rights, but use no violence.
If the police arrest you, 80 along with them
quietly :; and if injustice has been done you, L
win punish the police. Ihave often had, in the
course of my duly, TO punish many of you but
! defy any man 10 prove that have not carried
ont the letter of the law, or treated all men
with Justice according 10 law. l therefore
warn Won all To obey the laws, rs am de-
termined TO carry them out. To those OF You
at present accused before me who have not
beer identified as committing violence in this
disturbance and who deny completely III IL, l
would saw do not be caught in such place
again. When q disturbance occurs, you VINO
are not concerned in it should go 1T once 10
your homes. l will discharge You inns time,
but will retain DR.. Banks, Aaron Short, and
William Holloway.
The men who were discharged thanked the
Mayor, and left the courtroom lhe re-
naming three were remanded 10 jail.