Daily Davenport Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1864-1874, 1867-12-10


commands than another, then shall we bold
our peace and make no more odious com
Parsons.
TsE "ViGrLAScR COMMITTEE" AROUND
Last Saturday night, young man named
Henry G. Hyatt. who is employed BY Mr..
Geo. Lorton 10 work about his stable, was
arrested during the night. while asleep in
the stable. by number Of msn-tsn in al
who, armed With revolv vers and bowie
knives, led him out to Hickory Grove
There, in company with another young man
who had been arrested ip similar manner,
he was examined upon . charge Of horse
stealing. After considerable questioning
and parleying, the Vigilance Committee,
unable to fastcn anything upon the young
men, released them, aud they came back TO
town. This high handed proceeding has
caused much talk, and Justly, too. Mr..
Hyatt has commenced proceedings against
the ten individuals who arrested him, lay
ing damages at $4,000. The case will
come up at the next term Of the District
Court, and will undoubtedly attract much
attention This Vigilance Committee, we
understand, numbers some hundred mem
bers, who have banded together to stop the
depredations Of horse thieves. Should they
confine themselves 10 arresting men who do
steal horses, and turn them over to the Off
GERS OF the Law, no great objection could be
found But xhen they take the Law into
their own hands, and proceed to deal out
Justice, or injustice rather, in . summary
manner, their action must be deprecated.
We have laws and officers Of the law, and
those who vioiate the laws should be amen
able to the tribunals designated to enforce
these laws, and not to Vigilance Com
mittees.
| Tue HOSE TowER.-Thc Fire Department
has Of late been much cepsured for inef-
6cency and very uujus,ly. The trouble il,
and has been for many years. with the poor
hose with which it is supplied. The want
Of hose towers, in which TO dry the hose
properly after use, has been the prime pal
cause OF the trouble. Ii does 10 good to
buv new hose continually, unless il can be
pronerly taken care Of after il is bought.
Our City Council short time since resolv-
ed TO erect hose tower, which would have
been done long ago but for scarcity of
funds The contract was made, the lot Sc
lected, and-old Injunction stepel in to stay
proceedings. 1t is annoying, very annoy
iny, bu. We do not see how it can be hel ped.
The following letter, directed to the City
Treasurer. explains itself.
DAvkSPoRr, Dec. 4lh, 1867.
Mr.. Orro kLU0, Treasurer City Of Dayen-
port:
Dear Sir : We beg leave to call your st-
tentIou 10 the Injunction served on you on
22d day of August last. in the suit Of John
l. Coffin, Exec, etc VS.. the City Council,
Treasurer and Marshal Of the city of DAy-
enIort, and TO state that We re gard the pro
ceei.ngs Of the Council at the late spsci, Il
meeting Of Nov. Goth last, aud several pre-
celing meetings, pending for the purchase
OF lot aad the erection Of hose tower
thereon, - in open and direct violation OF
said injunction.
As you are prohibited BY the injunction
from paying any money out Of the Treasury
on account of any contract or appropriation
thich the Council ere thereby prohibited
from masing, we hereby notify you that
re shall consider any payment on account
Of the purchase Of said lot fer boss tower,
or for any such matesials, or any other ex-
pcose Whatever incurred 10 Consequence ol
such unauthorized proceedings Of the
Council In reference 70 said hose tower pro-
ject, ~ . disobedience Of the injsncsisn
end shsll feel compelled TO proceed against
you BY attachment for contshpt Of court
|, in making the same.
Wedesm it proper TO thus notify you, tha,
you may act in full view Of the coueeque nee
We remain you're, respectfully,
PUTNAM 1 RoGsRe,
Attorneys for John L. Cofio, Exec, etc