The Daily Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Or.) 1876-1883, 1883-07-07

ola quesilon came ND lof EeEcdTlllR,
the old sore that always IS in our body
polite opened mp afresh, and ii was
felt that the city's greatest danger
arose from gang of unprincipled,
characterless yagabonds who make
Astoria their headquarters. Some Of
them have been policemen, others
would like to be; more live on the
wretched earnings OF prostitutes, and
ali are a curse TO any unfortunate
community that Is afflicted with them.
These were notified to leave: among
them are Jack Sullivan, VIM. Muir
ply, dno. Simpson, Chas. Lewis, (.
J. Frazer, Chas. Cook, Reilly, Geo.
Savage, Fred Rich ,rdson, FL John
son, alias "Back Finn, JAS. Forest,
John Jones. 4 bad man from Arizona,
Jas. Kelley, Jnn. Kelley, ". L.
Green, Geo. R!ycs, and others Some
of them went assay on Thursday
mornings boat; others started of on
the Wide W'eSi at one O'Clock. Others
would like 10 see the vlgilantes
make them 90" They got their wish,
some Of them Il little more. The cIti-
zens committee met on Thursday
night, and about one o'clock yester
day morning took three of the most
contumacious Of the lot up on the hill
triced them up, one by one, aud gave
them as many lashes on the bare back
as the exigencies of the case warranted.
They promised to 60, and were quiet
ly informed that the action Of the
committee was only mild hint "f
what would happen If they didn't.
Thirteen left on the morning boat;
others didn't wait for any invitation
but had immediate business mp the
river. 1t showed presence of mind,
on their parts absence OF body, how
ever, Is still better. May they con-
tinue on their way till their fate over
takes them, as it snrely will. They
stand in no danger OF drowning
One of the "toughs, John Jones,
ga bad man from Arizona" employed
around Billy Bakers saloon, refused
to 60 when notified. The regular
police force arrested him Yesterday
afternoon; the committee met last
night, and at late hour at
tended to his case. Mr.. Jones has
probably changed his mind abont
going. People don't stand much
nonsense in Arizona, and human
nature in Astoria averages about the
same. In justice to Savage, 1t should
be said that when he was notified tu
leave, he showed that he would lose
some money unless given little time
to straighten mp his affairs, which &c
counts for the delay ON his part.
Thursday night was the quietes'
night We have seen in Astoria for
many a day. Citizens who had not
closed an eye for forty-eight hour:
lay down to sleep in security. The
thing is all over now, and ii is nC
harm to speak OF facts az they were.
What the committee did Is the ONLY
thing that under the circumstance
could have been done. The commit
tees work is now done; but il has no
disbanded, and any attempt a. lawless
ness viii be swiftly dealt with. IL j
no light provocation that calls foI
such action on the part Of citizens
Our nelghbors in Seattle had simi
lar experience some time ago. Sinc'
they jerked the black life out of thre
wretches, and their lifeless bodie
swung on hastily built gallows, lif
and property is secure in Seattle
Fortunately the citizens committe
of Astoria was not pushed to tn
dreadful alternative Of taking huma
life, but self-preservation is the frs
E law of nature; 1T is above and beyon
all legal intricacies of a compllcate
a system Of Jurisprudence and when me
a deliberately commit crime and exec,
Q in times Of public trouble, they pr
+, themselves outside the pale of protel
a tion or sympathy; they invite repr
s sails and must abide by the decision
: the public sentiment they have s
: grossly outraged. This may not
e good law, but it is the way the mo
! of us feel about it.