The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1880-01-16
rnE Right OF PETITION.


THE RIGHT OF PETITION.
The Arrest of the County Constabulary
by ChiefofP Police sweeney-Excitement
Among the neutrality-suspicious.
Public Any Rights which James the
Tyrant- Is Bound TO Respect:
Agood deal OF excitement was OCCASION
stoned on the streets last evening by the
report that the county constables had been
arrested by City Sergeant Sweeney, for
petitioning Council to prohibit his depu-
ties from serving civil process, thereby in
teriering with the police and %obstructing
them in the discharge Of their duty. A
visit to police headquarters developed
nothing, except that Police Clerk Darrah
said no warrants had been issued and
that the arrests must have been made ION
sight" He had beard that Constable Ex-
ley had been arrested by the Sergeant and
put in the lookup, aud shortly afterwards
Mr.. Ed. Dunaway and Councilman Ralph
Arkle had appeared and offered to give
bail for Exley's appearance at court, but
did not find the Sergeant in at the time,
and the result was not known at the City
Building.
A tripto the lookup resulted in the re-
porter finding General Wallace, the lock.
up keeper, discussing "the resolutions Of
'9S" with an Italian in the back Office. The
General said Exley had been brought in
by the City Sergeant about four o'clock in
the afternoon on q charge OF interfering
with the police and o%bstructing them in
the discharge OF their duty. Exley stated
to him that his sole ofEense consisted In
signing the petition above referred TO, and
sent for Constable Love, another signer,
10 bail him out, which Love declined to
do, alleging that he had no money for
such purposes. The General stated fur
Their that Love had expressed an opinion
10 the effect that the whole proceeding
was an internal Outrage, but, as a city
official, he considered he had moth
ing to do with the merits OF the
case. His business was TO make a supe-
rior article OF ink, and enforce the proyi-
sions OF the city ordinance entitled an
ordinance in relation to the election, duties
and compensation OF the city lookup.
Shortly after Constable Love retired, he
was informed that Councilman Ankle and
Counsellor Dunaway had furnished Sc
curity for Exley's appearance, aud this
complying with the ordinance he had re-
leased the prisoner, who disappeared up
Twelfth street. A search for Exley failed
to find that gentleman, and it was rumored
that he had gone into n OF the coal
banks and did not intend 10 come out I'M
til the cruel war was over. Constable st.
Myers, who generally occupies an alert
and slatuesque attitude at the Court
House corner, could not be found,
and constables Martin, Cooper, Genoa
Price and Richard Richardson, it was
stated, had retired early. There was a full
house, however, at Justice Miller's, every.
body being presentexcept Constable Loves
dog "Peter," who went home when the
disturbance commenced and the arbitrary
action OF the City Sergeant was generally
denounced. Justice Miller said the right
OF petition, which was secured by Magma
Charta, and in defence OF which some OF
the noblest blood in Christendom had
been shed, had pretty much died out in
this country.
Constable Love said II was the damdest
thing he ever heard OF. The idea of man
being arrested for expressing his honest
sentiments, and asking for the redress Of
a notorious grievance! He had heard that
the balance OF the county %oonstables were
to be arrested tomorrow, but while the
rest OF them could do as they pleased, he
would carry his case to the Supreme
Court before he would knock under.
Reporter-But, Colonel, how can Swee.
ney do these things without a warrant?
Loye-Do! He'll do anything. He is
going crazy. Look at oil he has been
doing for tho last four weeks.
Prosecuting Attorney Jordan, who wa
present, was appealed TO for professional
opinion, but declined 10 commit himself
until the matter came before him officially.
Counsellor Henry Pendleton also declined
TO iorestall the courts, and as most OF the
other attorneys were reported In attend
ance at the evening session OF the Sunday
School Convention the reporter gave up
the idea OF securing the law on the sub
iect for the time being.
Another reporter for this paper found
Chief OF Police Sweeney later In the even.
lug, but that official sustained his reputa.
ton as a man OF few words, and was reti.
cent to the point OF taciturnity. Hepulled
nlb mustacue VlRutuusly huu bplt p[uluses
ly, while he stated that he had accepted
the proposition Of Exley, TO make q test
case. II will show them" said he, "that
my p'lice cannot be intertered with, with
impunity. Law and order must be pre-.
served. There ought to he an increase Of
tho police force. II anybody thinks there
Is anything wrong with my office, let them
ask for q committee OF Investigation"
niQhtwatchmen ara not 10 be included in
the present raid.l Officer Perry Tracy Is
on the corner OF Fourteenth and Market,
as we 60 to press, and officers Murdoch
and Junkins are vigorously patrolling
their blocks. II ought to be stated, how
ever, that they are not signers. There is
probably no truth either in the report that
Bulger's wooden Indian will be arrested,
hia name mt appearinP mon the p~etitinn. |