Mob

An unorganized assemblage of many persons bent on unlawful violence; a riot involving a multitude. Abbott.

An assemblage of many people, acting in a violent and disorderly manner, defying the law, and committing, or threatening Lo commit, Jepredations upon property or violence to persons, The word, in legal use, is practically synonymous with “riot,” but the jatter is the more correct term.

A " rebellious mob " commits high treason; a " common mob '' commits a riot: the latter wants a universality of purpose to make it rebellious. ' The Pennsylvania act of May 31, 1841, which makes the county of Philadelphia liable for property destroyed by a mob, and which was extended to Allegheny county by the act of March 20, 1849, is not repealed by the constitution of 1874. The act is both remedial and penal, and must be liberally construed..The fact that county authorities are unable to quell a riot does not limit the liability of the county for damages done thereby. The act embraces every kind of riotous disturbance.'' See Assembly, Unlawful; Insurrection; Riot.

An unorganized assemblage of many persons intent on unlavrful violence; a riot involving a multitude. Bouvier, citing Alison, says that in Scotch law " mob " and " riot," though often used together, have distinct meanings, and are sometimes used separately in legal language, — the word mobbing being peculiarly applicable to the unlawful assemblage and violence of a number of persons, and that of rioting to the outrageous behavior of a single individual. This is not so in English jurisprudence; in that, riot, only, is the technical term; three persons are reword descriptive of a large and aggra<vated riot. See ArrRAY; Riot. The word mob is, however, drawn into the decisions somewhat, in consequence of statutes declaring cities or counties liable for injuries to property committed by mobs or riots, and which the municipal authorities fail to prevent; also, because insurance policies often except losses occasioned by mobs or riots. A clause in a Are insurance policy excepting " loss by flre occasioned by mobs or riots," does not extend to a loss caused by the burning of an adjoining bridge by order of the military authorities, to prevent the advance of an armed force of rebels. Harris v. York, &e. Ins. Co., 50 Pa. St. 341. Mobilia personam sequuntur, immobilia situm. Movable property follows the person of the owner, immovable property the locality. The mode of acquiring, enjoying, and transferring movable property is regulated by the law of the domicile of the owner; of immovable property, by the law of the place where the property is situated. Wills of chattels, executed according to the laws of the place of the testator's domicile, will pass personal property in all other countries, though not executed according to their laws. But wills concerning land must be executed according to the prescribed formalities of the country in which the land is situated. 4 Kent Com. 513; 2 Id. 67; 2 Greenl. Evid. § 6lJ8.