CHARLESTON NEWS.

Westport Times, Volume II, Issue 155, 29 January 1868, Page 2

CHARLESTON NEWS.

An indignation meeting was held in the Casino de Venice on Mondayevening, to take into consideration the conduct of Constable Rhodes. Mr Bain having been voted into the chair, explained the object of the meeting, and called upon Mr Drury to state the circumstances. That gentleman then made a speech referring to the conduct of Constable Rhodes in connection with the charge preferred by him against Mr Evans, but which was immediately dismissed by Mr Button, also to the reprehensible manner in which this constable interfered with business people, and then gave an account of the wrongful arrest and subsequent discharge of Mr Wilkinson, who, simply from the fact of his having a bandage on his hand, was mistaken by Constable Rhodes for another man, and dragged through the streets to the lock-up, in spite of his references to Mr Henderson and Mr Laing, two merchants of the town. He concluded by proposing that in the opinion of this meeting, the presence of Constable Rhodes in this district is highly undesirable and prejudicial to the interests of Charleston. Being seconded, it was put to the meeting and carried; also another resolution that a petition for his removal be got up and forwarded to the proper authorities. The chairman said as it was a meeting for the expression of public opinion, and there might be some present who could offer explanation. He had no doubt the meeting would give a fair hearing to all. Mr G-raham, Mr Clark and one or two others spoke on the subject, but all confirming Mr Drury's remarks. After a vote of thanks to the chair, the meeting quietly dispersed.