Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1878-01-11

Knows nothing of the general eff
cheney Of the police force. Did mol
recognize any of the crowd present. Sup
posed the demonstration was to ridicule
him for his vote, but not to offer him an
indignity, but regarded it as improper and
violation Of the law. No offensive OF
other epithets were applied to him. There
was no danger to life or property, except as
far as the bank property might be injured
by the fireworks. From what I have learn
ed since of those who were in the crowd l
have no idea that they, who were my per
sonal friends, would have offered any in
dignity to me. The Mayor called on me
next day to see If 1 would make any COM
plant. 1 told him I did not know the
parties, nor wished to make a complaint,
as I had no personal apprehensions, but
that if the ordinance was violated it was
his concern to fluid out the violaters. 1t
seemed to me any policeman could have
gone into the crowd and found who they
were.
Officer Hamilton Especial policeman en-
gagged by the cltizens) saw crowds firing
crackers all along Main st. The police
were going around stopping the firing.
Thinks the police are very efficient. Sees
them all times of the night. The present
policing of the city is much better than it
was before the present force went on. The
crowd firing crackers seemed on a frolic.
Heard them sing ''Hang Witt on sour
apple tree.'' Saw everybody firing squibs,
and it would have been hard matter to
stop them. Think could have singled
out some man firing squibs and arrested
him. Did not do it because [ did not see
the Chief and other officers doing it, and
did not propose to make myself obnoxious.
John M. Kinney Justice of the Peace
residing on the edge Of the city, testified
that he had had an excellent opportunity
of observing the efficiency of the police
force and thought it as efficient as it
could possibly be for the number of men
employed. Mr.. K. stated several cases
where the officers of the city had been
most active in county cases which they
were not obliged to undertake. Thought
the city better policed than he ever knew
it. Saw the police acting efficiently and
promptly on Christmas day.
J. NJ Lickliter Justice of the Peace
outside, but has his place of business in
the city, testified that he had occasion to
notice the police and found them ever at
tentive and ready to act.
Ed. Echols testified to the jolly and harm
less character of the crowd at the bank
corner which had no purpose of intimida-
ting or insulting anybody. The majority
were personal friends of Mr.. Bledsoe and
any insult was foreign to their intention.
A great many of the crowd were property
owners and identified with the interests
of the city in all respects. The police were
active in stopping the firing on Christmas
eve, Christmas and New Years eve. They
seemed to be doing all they could. but sing
ling man out was almost impossible.
The popping at the bank corner ceased di
rectly officer Fletcher got in the crowd
The crowd was in a good humor and had
no idea of injuring or insulting anybody or
injuring person or property. Had seen
Capt. Parent try to suppress cracker fir
ing Christmas 2 years ago, but without
success. Saw Mr.. Byers there but. could
not identify-any occasion Of his firing
cracker. Saw the police dispense the crowds
a half dozen times. A lady and gentle>
man residing over the bank were greatly
amused at the scenes.
Capt. James Thorn testified that this
police force kept superior order to that of
the force which preceded it. Saw no in
dieation in the crowd Christmas night of
intention to insult or injure persons or
Saw Mr.. Byers in the crowd.
Capt. J. FL. Waters testified that he had
been an officer and is now magistrate.
Thought the police very efficient and ener-
getic. Main street was a perfect bedlam,
and would have required hundred police
men to have stopped the firing of squibs.
The crowd seemed only intent on finn.
Capt. W. III. Fowle testified that from a
residence here and in other cities he
thought, compared with the police else
where, the Staunton police was very eff
Gent. Saw the crowd, and thought it Was
out for fun.
The counsel on both sides here an
nounced that they did not desire to detain
the committee further. and the examina-
tion was closed. The committee will re-
port to the next meeting of the Council.