Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1891-08-21

What others think Of our Sheriff -
Strange as IL may seem, yet IL is nevertheless
true that after Sheriff Adams and bis guard
had So faithfully performed their dutS in pro-
tecting the murderer Rye from the violence Of
n mob, there WAS a class OF indi,i 10 lis here
and elsewhere in the county who tried to ridl-
culr The Sheriffs brave and determined action.
For tiie benefit Of that class who can see moth
ing guod unless performed by their own per-
sUnnl and political friends, we insert below q
few of the extracts publ,hed and written Of
and TO Sheriff Adams whom all law-abiding
citizens must ever hold in high esteem for his
faithful performance Of duty under the most
trying circumstances. The Baltimore San In
an editorial said. IA Sheriff who did BIS
duty "fhe effective resistance made by
Sheriff James A. Adams, Of Charles county,
Md, TO a mob ofdisgu!sed men, whose evident
purpose was TO secure possession OF a prisoner
charged with murder shows how EASY il is, rs
rule, 10 prevent lynchers, If the officers OF the
law are Igiant and resouie. The Sheriff,
having had AL intimaliGn Of the intended at
tack on the jail, took the proper steps 10 pro-
tect bis prisoner and uphold the majesty OF tie
law The consequence was that the mob, be-
ing received with lively fusilade, lost heart
and beat a retreat. The outcome Of the affair
among sober and thoughtful citizens. 10 re-
cent years there have been number of deplor-
aple acts of violence in the counties Of Mary
land which might, perhaps, have been pre-
vented had other sherilIs been as alert and rs
determined ne Sheriff Adams. The latter did
nothing more than his duty, but be is to be
commented for the unusually efficient manner
in which that duty was performed. Public
opinion will always sustain an officer who dis
charges bis sworn obligations to the law with
out fear or favor No officer who has the
proper conception of his duty should hesitate
for moment TO defend prisoner committed
to his care at any cost. The responsibility for
loss Of life or injury that may follow does not
rest with him, but with the asssilants. Meth
er the nature Of the crime committed nor the
character Of the prisoner should detraet 10 any
degree from the necessity of unfolding the
ffntaibn of5ths courts 10 dispose of the Case.
TO substitute tiibndl OF masked men, hasti-
~ assembled in moment OF excitement, is
therefore to override and set aside the 1opu-
lar will, deliberately expressed, and to nullifY
one of the fundamental principles governing
all civilized peoples, that which DENIAL DIS for
every man, whatever his race or condition, a
fair, impartial trial. free from the influence Of
prejudice or passion. In view OF this fact, il
is no small service which an honest aud faith
ful official renders to the public when be de
teats the lawless purpose Of band Of lynch
ers 1t is 10 he hoped that the example set by
Sheriff Adams will hereafter be the rule and
oot the exception throughout the State. u
The Philadelphia Ledger said:
''No need of mob law IA prison guard
at Port Tobacco, Md, did its duty by firing
upon a mob that had attacked the Jail with
the purpose of lynching prisoner, and the
mob very promptly dispersed, Where diff
ierent story is told it is usually because the
prisoner keepers sympathize with the lynch
ing party There is not the slightest excuse
for such mob rule in Mary land. The prisoner
is sure 10 be given fair trial in court, and i
found guilty will be punished Just as sure as
it handed over to the mob"
The following extract from a private letter tC
Sheriff Adams written by Mr.. George E. Wick
ers, Of Philadelphia, aud Of the Philadelpia
Press, who recently became tue purchaser o.
Cobb Island farm, in this county opposite
fso5k Point, further shows the feeling OF law.
abiding persons Mr. Nickcts SAYS; "When
read OF your nervy action in defence Of Rye.
the homicide aud your successful removal o.
him TO Baltimore, said that is the man toi
me- The baltimore aud Philadelphia papefi
have all given accounts OF your experience
with Rye My own upper, the i'ress, had
quite an item aDont il. lope Charles coan'
" viii continue 10 appreciate a %ond official
aud keep him in office MS long MS he wishes it.
1t you ever come 10 Phiadeips IL, ! will ht
pleased Otueet you and take you in charge
and make your stay pleasant.
The imcricda said: "rhe Sheriff of Charles
rouuty successfully ,,erformei has duty iii The