The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-10-08
After Hearing RingingSpeeches
Gathering Adopts Strongly
Worded Resolutions
MOST REPRESENTATIVE
MEETING OF DECADE
Garnett. Mcclure. Anderson,
Pollard. Easle,. George Bry-
an, Christian and Bishop
Denny Deliver Addresses

Though there had been develop.
ments within the last preceding
twenty-four hours before the time
scheduled for the beginning of the
mass NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. calcu.
lated to decrease interest by removal
OF causes of indignation-and despite
the nasty weather, a fall of rain that
was more than mere cold. penetrat-
ing drizzle, the gathering OF citizens
representative Of every interest and
every section Of the city in John Mar
shall High School auditorium last
night constituted one of the mightiesr
organized protests ever uttered in
Richmond.
Though Detective Sergeant Krengel
and Sergeant Shoemaker had been re-
stored to their places in the city's Po-
lice Department after they had been
made victims of vengeance seeking su-
periors in office, and though one of these
"superiors," Police Commissioner Goode.
had rendered his resignation. after con-
tinued defiance OF the citizens will. tho
men and women gathered gave vigor-
Gus utterance of approval of the words
of their spokesman.
Auditorium Throngedl.
The gathering which filled the
lower floor Of the auditorium and oc-
cupied large part of the great bal
cony before the meeting was called to
order by Assistant Attorney General
g. =. Garnett, was enlarged by later
arrivals. and within a half hour all
available seats had occupants.
The demonstration concluded with
the adoption of resolutions cenaeFan--
ing the contempt for public opinion
and the disregard for Justice and fair
play displayed by voting majority
Of the Police Board; declaring tho
action OF Commissioners Goode, Well.
Bradley and Boykin "menaces dis
cipline OF the police force and is
2rejudicial to good order and un-
worthy of public service: calling on
the Council to demand the resigna-
ton Of Commissioner We'll, who since
his reprimand has demonstrated his
unhtness for the Office even had he
not done so before; and urging ION
all citizens deeper realizations of
the requirements called for on their
part in order to make democratic
government synonymous with good
government"
There was great nthusiasm
throughout the meeting and speakers
were frenquently interrupted by the
applause. Laughter greeted some Of
the ridiculous acts of the police COM
missioners In their efforts to defend
themselves or to answer charges made
against them during the investigation
OF the Council committee following
the report of the Vice Commissioner
probe.
The speaker did not satisfy them-
selves with condemning the officials
who have used their places as SER
wants OF the people to further their
own interests or add TO their own
pleaSur but with a determination
to more thoroughly awaken the pub
lie conscience. placed the RESPONSE
- IT,
These expressions, too. were received
with approval and many of those who
had come to protest against wrongs
committed by others found themselves
protesting against their own failings.
Calling the gathering to order. Mr..
Garnett stated the purpose of the meets
Ing.
Signs OF Social Regeneration.
Mr.. Garnett said:
Every citizen OF Richmond has
just cause to be proud Of his city.
He is proud OF her ancient traditionos
OF the part she played in the tragic
drama Of the War Between the States:
of the struggles she underwent during
the reconstruction period: and he Il
also proud Of the tremendous advance
she has made in a material way. espe-
cially in the. past fifteen years. But
if he be right-thinking citizen, he
should be prouder still OF the signs Of
social regeneration. Of the birth OF =,
new civic spirit which promises to
put this city in the forefront Of Amer.
lean municipalities in achieving prog
ress along moral and spiritual lines.
But this progress can only be ac-
complished and made permanent Il
we are willing to make a thorough
analysis of the causes heretofore ops
Grating to hinder any Improvements
in governmental conditions. and hav-
ing discovered the trouble. we mn&k
firmly resolve that, come what may
We win make any sacrifice that may
be necessary to remedy the conditions.
We must, first, make a careful dag
nosis to determine. II we can, where
are the cancers and sore spots In the
body polite: then have the grit. "
free use Of the knife and scalpol.
to eradicate all causes Of diseaae. an
then, by everlasting vigilance ana
zeal. do all In our power to pfuvoa4
the recurrence Of disorder.
The EAnlf OF tho 0yn1ee,
| When aom6thfnk goes wrong Nj14
department. Of government. Whee11
State or municipal: when = acaA4al4G
condition II disclosed, ueaxrtMG ~ n S
dignatfon of the cl&iRan1 - - 81 &
to look tor the andex409 :