Daily Richmond Whig

Instructions to the Police—In consequence of the complaint of several citizens that the police at the First Market refused to render assistance in quelling the disturbance on Seventeenth street, Friday last, the Mayor summoned the officers of the night watch before him, yesterday and "laid down," the law to them, and the day police, who, as usual, were also present. The Mayor stated to them that a police officer has no right to arrest any man for any misdemeanor not committed in his sight; but if armed with a warrant, regularly issued by a magistrate, he can arrest the offender wherever he may find him, and even break open the door of his house to get at him. But it is not only the right, but the absolute duty of a police officer to arrest every man who violates the penal laws of the Commonwealth. He can't willfully neglect the duty without being liable to indictment. Every citizen has the right to arrest a person who commits a felony, and if resistance be made, and either party is killed, it is murder on one side, or justifiable homicide on the other.

Upon a direct charge of the commission of a felony, an officer has the right to arrest the party so charged, but it is better, if he has time, to get a warrant.

Capt. Wilkinson made a statement to exonerate himself from the charge of refusing to render assistance on the occasion referred to. He said that when the row first occurred, officers Bibb and Blankenship were engaged in putting away prisoners just brought in. He looked out of the window and told them there was a row at the end of the market, and that they had better go down. They went out with him. Mr. Higgins met him and said. I want you to order out all of the officers." His reply was that he had no right to do so -that he exercised no control over the day police, When the crowd rushed to Lichtenstein's door, he went down and got them away the best way he could, and wrested a pistol from one of the soldiers, though surrounded by nearly one hundred of them. The Mayor referred the police to pages 60 and 61 of "Mayor's Guide," a copy of which was at the "cage,"

as furnishing full information in regard to their duties, responsibilities and privileges.