Year: 1859

SIR:-We respectfully refer you to the publish
ed proceedings OF the Town Meeting, held in Mon =
ument Square on the Sth inst, and also call
your attention to the fact of our appointment as
Central Committee under the resolutions there
adopted


The great object of the meeting. as explained in
the language of one of the resolutions was to re-
trieve the good name of our city which has been
so seriously compromised, and to establish authori
ty, so necessary to good order, in the hands of
good men, without regard to party names or party
politics.


This object the meeting proposed to effect through
the aid of the ballot box, by means of which alone
in government like ours, reform can be peaceful
ly and satisfactorily accomplished.


Two important elections are now near at hand,
and we refer you to our published correspondence
with the Mayor, in connection with the resolutions
of the meeting, to explain the measures which are
deemed important to be adopted in order to secure
to the people the opportunity of peaceful end fair
expression of their opinions at the polls.


While assured by the Mayor of his con
tlnued desire to secure to every the free
else OF his rights as citizen, and to promote quiet
and harmony in the coming elections, and of his
determination to all the power of my (his) Of
flee with view to this result he does not venture
to assure that his efforts will be successful but
the contrary, in his address to the people of Bal
tislnre, which published at the same time with
his letter to the Committee, from which the above
quotation is made, he says, "with frmness on the
part of voters, and determination on the part of
all to lay aside prejudces, and cooperate with the





the just expectations of the public. If the peace
of the city the day of election is to be dependent
on determination on the part of all to lay aside
prejudice, the case is hopeless indeed, and in
cusion the Mayor declares: @ Situated | am,
with limited powers, my fellow citizens know,
can make no pledges or promises for the future-my
past intentions the only guarantee | can offer"
The Mayor it is true, expresses his readiness to
commission any number of conservative men as
special police, but he annexeS the condition with
which 1t is impossible to comply, that they must be
free from party bias.


Under these circumstances, we feel it to be our
duty to apply to you a conseryator of the peace
of the city, with ample powers which in no
way superseded by the fact that powers to preserve
the peace are also vested in the Mayor and other
officers of the city.


Although on this point we suppose there can be
no doubt on your mind, yet in confirmation of our
views we respectfully call your attention to the de-
clson of the Supreme Court of the United States,
in the case of South rs the State of Maryland, Is
Howards Reports, 1896. This decision was unani-
nous, and pronounced in 1855 in reference
to the duties of the Sheriff of Washington county,
in this State. 1t is, therefore, decision of the
highest tribunal in the land, concusively estab
fishing both your rights and duties. The Supreme
Court says, in that case, GAS conservator of the
peace, in his county bailiwick, he (the sheriff.
is the representative of the King sovereign pow
er of the State for that purpose. He has the care
of the county, and though forbidden by Magma
Charta to act Justice of the Peace, in trial of
criminal cases, he exercises all the authority of that
office when the public peaceis concerned. He may,
upon view, without writ process, commit to
prison all persons who break the peace or attempt
to break it. He is bound eroticio to pursue and
take all traitors, murderers felons, and other mis-
doers, and commit them to Jail for safe custody.
For these purposes be may command the posse conf
nlttatus or power of the county, and this summons
every the age of fifteen years, is bound to
obey, under pain offine and Imprisonment"


Again, on page 403, the language used is still
more pointed, viz: 'The powers and duties of con-
roknr Ofk kha, hv-k kkoS hnrYH
not strictly judicial, but he may be said to act
the Chief Magistrate of his county,i welding the
executive power for the preservation of the public
peace. 1t is public duty, for neglect of which he
is answerable to the public and punishable by in
dictment."


The law thus authoritatively pronounced, applies
as well to the Sheriff of the city of Baltimore to
the Sheriff of Washington county.


The elections in Baltimore for several years have
been marked by extreme violence and Outrages.-
Many citizens have been driven from the polls;
others have been assaulted and beaten others have
been hustled and roughly treated, and very many
have been intimidated and prevented from even at
tempting to vote


We, therefore, cannot but fear and anticipate
similar scenes at the approaching elections We
satisfied that you have the power, and we hope
that you have the will, to enforce order and
maintain quiet and we therefore respectfully, but
very urgently request you to be prepared on those
days with all the powers Of your Office, to do what
ever may be necessary to secure to your fellow
cltlZenS the exercise OF their elective franchlSe
freely and fully without intimidation, violence or
outrage. An assurance from you that you are
prepared to do so, will quiet and satisfy the minds
of the people, and allay the apprehensions which
generally prevail, that attempts will be made to
carry the elections by violence well by fraud.
1t does not of rest with you to prevent the
latter, but the former you can control and res
train.


We not only tender to you our own assistance
and cooperation, but if you desire US to do so,
will be prepared to recommend sufficient body
of conservative citizens in each ward, who will
act as your deputies if their services shall be re-
quired.


Representing we do thousands of the
citizens of Baltimore, whose feelings deeply in
terested in the question of municipal reform, we
are confident that our communication will receive
from you respectful consideration, and request
early reply.


[Signedl WIN. WOODWARD, Chairman,


and by order of the Reform Central Committee.
To Thos. Creamer, Sheriff of Baltimore city.