The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-07-30


whereas-on the lstn day OF July. 1908.
at the 9Th district court room, on Foun-
tain street, here in the city of Providence
r. l., one Joseph Floyd, was violently
beaten and black lacked by six officers
of the law. who had him In charge after
he had been adjudged insane by the court
Judge Sweetland giving his decision on
the evidence OF two expert physicians.
Whereas-Mr NJ. r. Armstrong, Mr..
Joseph Floyds brother, had upon the
evening of the 18th of July, upon two
separate occasions, TO wit. once at the
Central station on Fountain street, again
at the Fourth station on knight street,
both places here in Providence, entered
complaint. that his brother the said
Joseph Floyd was insane and that he,
Floyd, had escaped from him. Armstrong
and they had severally and all refused
TO do anything on the premises.
On the evening OF the 18th inst. In COM
pany with my brother said Joseph Floyd
four officers refused 10 assist me, al
though / asked them all. and told them
that Floyd was insane: and
Whereas: BY virtue of complaints being
made TO the police officers OF North
Providence OF a colored man acting in
q strange manner and frightening women
and children, the said Joseph Floyd, for
him II proved TO be. was arrested ana
placed in Jail on the 17th inst, and upon
the following morning was brought be-
fore the court, duly examined and after
being pronounced insane by the presiding
Judge, was beaten and black lacked by
six officers in the court room, leaving
pools of his blood in several places upon
the floor thereof, when the AFFAIR was
over Therefore: BE II
Resolved. BY the coored citizens OF
these Providence. Rhode Island, Fianta.
we condemn the brutal treatment re
ceived by our unfortunate brother at the
hands OF six burly yet cowardly Officers
OF the law I'm striking a defenseiess in
sane man with any weapon, but with 2
blackjack. an instrument OF torture. usec
only by thugs and thieves, Is travest.
upon Rhode Island Justice and disgrac'
TO the police department OF the city o
Providence. And. furthermore.
Be II resolved. That as long as Mr.
Fioyd's brother. Mt. Armstrong. had com
planned 10 the officers Of the law OF tn
insanity Of his brother and that Judg'
6weetland had decided. by virtue OF tn
evidence given by two expert physicians
that said Floyd was insane and had com
mitted him TO the custody OF the Officers
OF the law for committal 70 the insan'
asylum at Cranston. Therefore, thes'
officers knew, or at least ought 10 have
known. what they had 10 contend with
and in resorting 20 brute force proved
themselves unfit TO be the guardians o.
the peace or the protectors Of the unfor
BE II further resolved. That the FRS
and Second Ward clubs. under who's
auspices this mass meeting is held. wisl
20 express 20 Mr.. Armstrong its sym
pathy in this his hour OF great trial
and 70 assure him that we will cooperate
with him IN his efforts TO prosecute q
the. full limit OF the law all parties VIII,
took hand IN the cruel outrage perpe
trated upon his brother. Joseph FLOYD
here In Providence on the 18th inst
Resolved. That all present he asked (,
endorse these resolutions by their sigma
ture. and that copies be sent TO all IN,
local papers for publication and also q
the New York Age the INDIANAPOLIS Free
man and the Boston Guardian
Al OF which Is most respectfully sub
mltted.