The New York herald., 1870-03-18
LIVELY TINES In VIRGINIA.
The Old Mayor Of Richmond Declines Surren-
dering His Office to the New Mayor.
Both Parties Summon Special Constables-The
Forces Of the Old Mayor Besieged in Sta
ton House-Water, Gas, Rations and
Electricity Cut OAr-Futile Attempt
to Provision tho Garrison

RICHMOND March H. 1870.
For some time there have been rumors that the
present authorities In ONCE by military appointment
intended resisting any movement to disposses them
till their successors were elected by the people, as
they held the Enabling act declaring the Offices
vacant 10 be unconstitutional
OPENING OF HOsTILITIEs.
Last night the City Council appointed by Cover.
nor Walker under the Enabling act elected Henry
X. Ellison Mayor, ana chose new chief and cap
tains or police. This morning about daylight the
new Chief OF Police, Major John Poe, applied at the
lower station mousse for possession but was refused
Later in the day Mayor Ellison applied by letter TO
Mayor Cahoon for the mayors ONCE, books &c, but
was refused, Cahoon claiming he was In ONCE by
law, and would not yield untl elected by process
from court -
ft-.-S~ TREY PREPARE FOR WAR.
Cahoon, who had possession OF the lower station
house. proceeded to swear in special constables to
the number Of $50, including about twenty coored
men. Ellison then proceeded TO swear III about 200
special oiicers and at one O'Clock surroul4eA lpe
offcers are, the plan being to arrest any OF them
who came out. Mayor Ellison has possession or The
City Hall and all the other public buildings except
the station houses, which are held BY the opposite
party. Inc Old police force 10 divided about equally
between The two mayors.
This afternoon crowd OF 1000 blacks and many
whites cOngregated about the lower station house,
which Is the point OF interest," CanoOn sent, through
his COUNSEL Ex-Governor Wise, letter to Governor
Walker stating his position and asklngaaSsstance TO
maintain MS authority:
Governor Walker, in reply to Mayor Cahoon's
application says that Mayor Ellison being leg ally
elected under the act OF the Legislature he cannot
recognize any one else % Mayors that Cnhoon Is In
capable OF holding the office under virginia law, as
he already holds federal oiicei that no breach OF
prOval; that he should resort to peaceful judicial
remedy II he wants to test the question OF right
and, finally that he Should obey the laws and SuH
tain the constituted authorities.
STRENGTH OF THE BES NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. OF THE
BESIEGEES.
Ex-Governor Wise, Judge X. w. Hughes and L.
T. Chandler are counsel Tor Mayor Cahoon, wno
with about thirty men, Is still IN the lower station
house. The besieglng force has cut or the gas and
water and forbid that any provisions be sent them.
FUTILE ATTEMPT TO PROVISION THE GARRISON.
| crowd OF cOlored men bought out bake shop
and commenced throwing the bread IN TO the be.
sleged but they were drlven on by the special
police. All was quiet at six O'Clock. The weather
is bitter cold and high wind prevails. The police
telegraph wire has been cut 10 prevent Its use by the
besleged.
REINFoRCEMENTs FOR THE BEsIEGED.
Early this evening Mayor Ellison, Chief OF the
Police Poe and others were arrested by the United
permission TO see CahoOn IN his character as United
States Commissioner. They were bailed until to-
morrow. company OF troops has been brought
into this city bD order OF General Candy
JUDGE UNDERWOOD TO TAKE PART.
IT is stated that Judge Underwood Will arrive to-
and other officers from exercising the duties OF their
office. The excitement In the Guy all day was SO
great that very little business was done. Cahoon Is
still besieged.