Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1876-04-08
The Manassas Imbroylio.

The case OF the Corporation OF Manassas vs.
George G. Round came up before the County
Court of this county at its last term upon an
appeal from the Mayors decision. The defen-
dant George q. Round was charged with at
tempting riot upon the public streets of the
town of Manassas brought before the Mayor
upon bis owu information, and acting as pros
ecutor and judge in the case, MIR. Round was
fined twenty-five dollars. The Town Council,
at its last medtng, passed resolution disap-
proving of the action Of the Mayor in the ar
rest and fning of MIR. Round, and employed
counsel to represent them before the Court, To-
structing said counsel that they wished no vim
dictiye pres .cution, but simply wished the case
to be tried upoo lis merits. His Honor, the
Lord Mayor, was represented by special
counsel.
Mr. r. B. Douglas, of Manassas, who rep
resented the Corporation, arose, after the evil
deuce had been given 10 and said, that as the
council for tue Corporation of Manassas, he
should when the case was first called, have en-
tered a Dole Erosequ, but wishing to give the
parties, (wbo were an1ous) every opportunity
of vindicating themselves, he had departed
from the strict rules OF evidence, and allowed
evidence to be admitted which otherwise might
have been excluded, and that as that had now
been done, and the parties given an opportunl..
ty Of Vindicaing their characters, with the res
olutiou of the CcurciI before him, and 10 his
own judgment believing that they had 30 case,
he pow asked that the case be dismissed"
This, however, was objected to BY the Mayor
and his counsel, and obj: ction sustained by the
Court, Which was the first inlmation We had
~ g
nassas vs. George G. Round, but the Mayor
vs. Geo G. R,uod"
Mr. Douglas, after his motion to dismiss was
overrued submitted the case to the jury with
out argument.
The jury, after being gu. for few minutes
returned with the following verdict: 1--WE, the
jury, 6ud DOT shadow Of guilt against the de-
leudaUt, George &. Round.
NV will give you the gist of the evidence
in this case: In the first instance war
rant was issued bysthe Mayor for the arrest of
Mr. j. p. Baldwin 90 the night of the 10Th OF
March. charging Mr.. Baldwin with obstructlug
one cf the streets of Manassas Mr.. Baldwin
was accordingly arrested and broug BIT before The
Mayor and fled twenty-five dollars. After the
trial of .his case some persons assembled at one
of the corners aud expressed 10 quiet and
peaceful mauuer their disapprobation and con.
demnation Of the Mayors course. His Lordship
hearing Of this, declared that if aoy one dared
10 denouuce his action he would send them to
Jail. MIR. Round believing las did every fair
minded person. that his action was unwarrant-
ed, upon the following morning declared his
dlsarproval of his, Whitiog's course, and
called :everal gentlemen to witness it, and said
| am now Mr.. Mayor ready for arrest. Soon
after be Was arrested for the offence heretofore
mentioned.
The decision in this case falls upon the would
be tyrauts of Manassas like thunder bolt The
good sense Of the people everywhere will hail
such decision with joy. 1t vndicates the rights
and prcrogatives of citizenship. No person is
gricved but the Mayor aud few other malig
Dauts Mr.. Douglas course 10 the prosecution
of this case was of the most com meudabe
character throughout. He acted the gentle
mau as well as the lawyer.
e.. KING