Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-06-28

Lively Excitement-Tht Police CALI
ed On-Arrest OF the Committee.

The steamer H. B. Plant had been en-
gagged to make an excursion yesterday
morning to Beaufort under the auspices of
the colored DraYmen's Society, and as early
as seven o'clock crowds Of colored men and
women Juggling baskets and dragging CHI
dren could be seen making their way to thu
wharf from various quarters, and within an
hour the boat was completely overrun, but
still the crowd came on. At
nine o'clock there were between one thou
sand and fifteen hundred people on the
steamer and on the wharf, and there was
general clamoring among the latter to get on
board. They had made their arrangements
to go, cooked their lunch, bought their
tickets, and were determined to go at all
hazards. Such a crowd of surging, strug-
Cling, discontinued creatures has rarely
been seen. They were all talking at once,
and perfect bedlam broke loose when
the announcement was made that the
United States Inspector had decided the
steamer had her full complement al
lowed by law, and no more would be per-
mitted to go on board. Those on the wharf
were furious over their disappointment,
and the women particularly were wrothy.
They claimed that many who had gone on
the steamer had not yet purchased their
tickets, while they had, and that the COM
mittee had their money. The committee
could not deny this, but at the same
time stated 1t was impossible then
to ascertain who had or who had
not given up their tickets, as In the
rush many had gotten on board without the
committees knowledge. This explanation
did not satisfy the disgruntled parties, and
they began to gather around every fellow
with blue badge, this being the insignia
- A. -, rsr1nr
him lively. The women were particularly
severe and savage, and their talk excited
the men. There was prospect of general
riot, when the police barracks was tele-
phoned, and Lieutenant Howard sent de-
tail of men under Sergeant Harvey to
the scene to preserve order. This force on
reaching the wharf found a terrible hubbub
and experienced great difficulty in preserv-
ing quiet and protecting the committee,
whom the disappointed ones charged with
cheating and sWindling. In order to pre-
serve peace it was found necessary to
arrest the committee and carry them
to the barracks, to which place they
were followed by scores OF men and
women. Meanwhile there was considerable
excitement on the boat, and Capt. FitZ-
gerald determined not to make the excur-
sion at all. At his request, Sergeant Har-
vey cleared the steamer, many OF the col
contemplated days pleasure. In the course
/ OF an hour the wharves were cleared,
/ anG those with baskets trudged home
| ward to enjoy their lunch, and
/ to clss and discuss the unexpected
| proceedings. Groups of colored men and
boys gathered in the squares and at the cor
| ners to talk over the matter. About noon
number OF the aggrieved ones who had
| bought their tickets, and who could not get
| on the boat, called at the Office of Magistrate
Waring Russell. Jr., and, through
their representatives, George Williams,
| Sidney Clark and Jesse Dickson,
| applied for warrants against Steve Atkin-
| son, Henry Coleman, w. FL. Casey, Joseph
| Quinn, George Brown and A. Miller, the
| committee of the Draymen's Association,
| charging them with cheating and swindling.
| This charge could not be very well sus1
| tanned under the circumstances
as the committee were not p
blame that there were more peope
who bought tickets than the steaDer
could carry. The committee, howeer,
| gave bonds for their appearance at an ex-
animation to be held at O'Clock this alter
noon at the Magistrates Office. The som-
| mittee furthermore expressed willingness
to settle the difficulty by redeepins the
| tickets on presentation at the Magistrate's
| Office, and quite number had thdr money
| refunded. The prompt appearance
| of the policemen, uuger ser
geant Harvey, on the whfVes, alone
| prevented serious riot, as tie folks were
becoming very angry and excNed over their
| disappointment. AS it was, tie affair only
resulted In the arrest of the committee and
| considerable chin music.