The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1876-12-30

] the1f eXcfteG state OF 1eehng hy the coming
down of fs0largs and T20teHs aeFewde
I Later in the evening some d. the: other
detail dispersed another like Eiotous crowd,
Eand also ut nnother. time prevented q yio-
lent collision in .thelsarne vicinity by the az
| tempted action ,of an excited crowd iol
whites who had heard Of Che conduct Of the
coiored rioters. i5-I
No more arrests were made because the
force had their hands full In dispersing the
vast crowd, and it was deemed more imppr-
tant, to sprevant. bloody collision than to cap
ture few who had not succeeded In doing
actual violence. HaYing prevented collision,
| all the arrests were then made when any In
formation could Justify 1t. Z. S, 5s
Constant telegraphic coMmuni nication was
kent up between the stations, SO as to notify
the force on Main street II their presence
was required elsewhere. s..Is 8 s5r I, 4 d
AS soon as the noise was heard. OK rioters
on Broad street, messenger was sent to- Cap
tain White, who instantly dispatched a force
to that section, but the crowd had passed ON
and quiet thereafter existed. sfs "a SCI 6,
at all times during the night prompt and
proper measures were taken by the forceEto
arrest any disorderss and the demonstra-
ftious which Judge gnigen referred stasaere
|
could foresee, and which; have happened
elsewhere and might happen anywhere,
without blame being properly attached TO
any officer or policeman.
| The force Of this city is only about sixty
men, after deducting officers and special
details, and only half Of these can on duty
| at the same time, unless in special emergen.
cies. This small force cannot be at every
point in the city, and hence cannotp possibly
| prevent some acts OF violence which, occur,
for the beat .of5each policeman averages at
/ least three or four; miles. 4, sst.4.. Il
AS the party termed rioters came down
Broad towards Main they eVere not very
! boisterous; certainly not riotous, or lndi.
catingi intent tofcreate violence, until they
neared Ninth street, but seemed to move
and act about as nny such poiit. cA process
1 sion would do who were in good spirits,
| The only row which had occurred on their
march to Ninth and Main was the one re.
jferred to on Broad street, where the party
at fault was arrested, as before stated. i.
| The fact that no riotous disposition was
eyinced coming down is the reason the
crowd passed unmolested but as soon as
! riotous near the fpoiceiit was promptly
| checked by Captain w hite and his fo-ee. Il
/ All during the night special diligence was
used by the officers and policemen to ascer.
tain any disorder, and prompt measures
used to check it. rYr 4 1gEfF' :.
. As4soon as the riot Of Rev. Dungee's
Mouse was known, policemen guarded him
home, and remained in that section oil
niSht. .
These statements are made from the evi.
denee before our Board, after the strictes1
examination to find out the facts.
3 ho 4 IN, Ind
would call for explanation to relieve the
police FROM seeming neglect OF duty, yet
they had no knowledge OF such an issue in
that court, and no chance Tor vindication
j before the opinion OF the court was ex.
1.-The Board of Police Commissioners deem
| it their duty to say that, in their Judgment !.
the Chief of Police acted wisely in dis
nosins Of the force as he did on that occa
i sion: that Captain White and his officers
! and men were diligent, faithful, discreet
4 and brave: that the whole force performet
their duty in full and well, and deserve tn
thanks and confidence OF the citizens To-
their conduct. 80 80
! But fol, the foresight, caution, and goo,
Judgment OF the Chief, and the eficien
duty of his officers aud men in executin!
/ his orders, with the men stationed Whel
Il and where they were, this city would,
4 all probability have had the bloodiest rio
ever known in its midst on the night re
ferred to. .i>iI VII .z@tII aIgt, /
] There may have been, and was, some, los
:; of property, an d some riotous proceeding
4 in other portions OF the city, as stated b.
Judge Guigon; but there was no loss
life or bloodshed, and that may have been
merciful exchange for the loss Of life AM
property which would dhaye resulted nom
/. riot in; the immense and excited crowds 9
opposing parties on Main street but for tn
casion to be ashamed oi its police on tina
OCCASION, for they fully and bravelY stant
acquitted. Respectfully, !:
- N II, J Vic. CARRNGToS, ;.
= AIaunr and President Police Board.