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 50 faithfully performed the'r duty 10 pro.
iveting the murderer Rye from the vicieace Of
n mob, there Was a cass Of inditi la is here
and elsewhere in the county who tried to ridi.
cule The SheriHs brave aud, determined action.
For the benefit OF that class who can see moth
ing good unless performed by their own per-
sonal and political friends, we insert below >
few OF the extracts publphsd and written Of
and to Sheriff Adams, whom all law-abiding
citizens must ever hold 10 high esteem for his
faithful performance Of duty under the most
trying circumstances. The Baltimore Sun in
an editorial said: "a Sheriff who did his
duty" "The effective resistance made by
Sheriff James A. Adams, 0f Charles county.
Md. to IA mob Of disguised men, whose evident
purpose was 10 secure poss, GsiOn Of a prisoner
charged with murder, shows how easy il is, ~
rule, 10 prevent lynchers, " the officers ofthe
law are vigilant and resolute. The Sheriff,
having had AL iniimatiGn OF the intended a.
tack on the Jail, took the proper steps 10 pro-
tect bis prisoner and uphold the majesty oftLe
law The consequence was that the mob be-
ing received with lively fusilade, lost heart
and beat II retreat. The outcome Of the affair
should be matter Of hearty eongratulaiion
among sober and thoughtful citizens. 10 re-
cent years there have been a number Of deplors
aDle acts Of violence in the counties OF Mary
land which might, perhaps, have been pre-
vented bad other sherITs been as alert and as
determined az Sheriff Adams The latter did
nothing more than bis duty but he is to be
commended for the unusually efficient manner
in which that duty was performed. Public
opinion will always sustain an officer who dis
charges his sworn obligations to the law with
out fear or favor. No officer who has the
proper conception Of his duty should hesitate
for a 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 assailants Neith-
er the nature Of the crime committed nor the
character OF the prisoner should detract 10 an,
degree from the necessity Of UNFOLDING the
function OF the courts 10 dispose Of the case
To substitute tibnal of masked men, hAsti-
~ assembled in a moment Of excitement. is
therefore TO override aud set aside the aopu-
lar will, deliberately expressed, and to nulify
one of the fundamental principles governing
all civilized peoples, that whirh demai 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, it
is no small service which an honest and faith
ful official renders to the public when he de-
teats the lawless purpose OF band of lynch
ers. 1t is 10 be hoped that the example set by
Sheriff Adams will hereafter be the rule and
not the exception throughout the State
The Philadelphia Le,iger said:
"No need of mob law "a prison guard
at Port Tobacco, Md, did its duty by firing
upon mob that had attacked the Jail with
the purpose Of lynchiug a prisoner, and the
mob very promptly dispersed. Where diff
ierent story is told it is usually because the
prisoners keepers sympathize with the lynch
ing party. There is not the slightest excuse
tor such mob rule in Mary land Tire prisoner
is sure to be given lair trial in court, and it
found guilty will be punished just as sure as
II handed over TO the mob" ''.-
The following extract from private.letter to
Sheriff Adams written bY Mr. George e. Vick-
ers, of Philadelphia, aud Of the Phisdelpia
Press, who recently became tile purchaser of
Cobb Island farm, in this county opposite
Rock Point further shows the feeling of law
abiding persons. Mr. Nickers says: ''When
read Of your nervyl action in defence Of Rye
the homicide and your success sfuil femovrl Of
him to Baltimore. said that is lie man for
me. The Baltimore aud Philadelphia papers
have all given accounts OF your experience
with Rye. My own paper, the Press, had
'IultN ~ litHl hpOut tts rfftRilt RllhIlSS GUM
y viii coDtinpe 10 appreciate good official
and keep him in office rs Tong AS he Wishes H.
Il -ySu. ever come 10 PhtAdelp aia, l. will he
pleased onieet you and take iyiu in charge
AID make yossr stay pleasant"
''rhr' -Amerifda sid: '",rhe Sheriff of Charles
c0spty sHcces tnlY .performei his adtseiu lal
deleRce o. nardtrtf Rye. sitPs1ltb,ap Ola 1Iis-.
t0l vas bointed ~ his head ssncem .r,i,ied rs "a
demaiid for TIE -jnl kFks .hs did NOT cover,
aud his yaTd dr0ys ths mon, who ttttmpteii
TO pei leenrisoper out away Ut'Jre N,ty ''teolt-
pllsls4 their .gqyrPoie;;" ''"''s'osF 'lis
The Marlboro Giyeae siiS;!"' i'inq ss.-,,I
Gan law ,biding citizens viii NE hd 40
know thai through the bravery btWa fers-
thought o. Sheriff adams, OF ChlrlEs .uoppty.
THE attempt w'lynelt 1Qlu NJ NJes " h0 was
vonlied in the Port rOGacc0 Jail Oh The Ghtree
etMthql JohTJ, Wheeler, proved asailure.
No lynch law for u.s. MaryhtAd's eodd name
has, IH0re than once bevn tarIlShed 10y such
occurrences "
We might publish other extracts, bntr we
deem these sulheient To show what law abid-
ing citizens IN various Sections ,,ilhjs aud 9TH
er States, thmk Of the course l,ersaed Is our
brave aud efficient Sheriff. + -