Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1870-03-18
Affairs in Richmond Wa

For some time there have been ruDors tha:
the present authorities in OFF &c by military aE'
pertinent intended resting any movement %
disposseSs them until their successors ne eia';-
ed by the peopls, as they Aeld tne Gambling acE
declaring the Offices vacant 10 lie uDc0nstitu'
tionalI. On Wednesday night the City Coun
ell appointed by Governor Walker under the
Enabling act, elected Henry X. Ellyson Mayor,
and chose a new Chief and Captains Of Police.
Yesterday morning about day the new Chief
Mai. John Poe, applied ut the lower Station
House for possession, but was refused. Later
in the day Mayor EIIyson applied by Litter 10
Mpvor Cahoon for the Mayors Office, books,
&c., and was refused, Uahoou declaring he
was in the Office by law, and would not yield
until elected. Cahoon, who had possession OF
the lower Station House, proceeded to swear IN
special Constables to the number OF one nun
dred and fifty, including about twenty colored.
Ellyson then proceeded to swear IN about Two
hundred special officers, and one at O'Clock sur
rounded the lower Station House. where Ca
boon and his specials are, the plan bolng to
arrest any Of them who came out, Mayor Ely
son has possession Of thcCity Hall an all the
other public buildings except he Station House
which are held by The opposite party. The old
police force divided about equality between the
! two Mayors. There Wasa crowd OF 900 blacks
| and many whites congregated about the lower
| Station House, which is the point of interest.
Cahoon sent through his counsel, Ex-Governor
Wise. q letter to Governor Walker, stating his
position and asking assistance To maintain his
authority.
Governor Walker in reply to Mayor Caboon's
application, said that Mayor Ellyson being le-
gally elected under All act of the Legislature he
cannot recognize any one else as Mayor; that
Cahoon is incapable Of holding the office under
the law of Virginia, as he already holds 4 tedo.
raj office that no breach Of the peace can occur
without Cahoon's act or approval; that he
should resort to peaceful judicial remedy il he
wants to test the question Of right and finally,
that he should obey the laws and sustain the
constituted authorities.
Ex Gov. Wise, Judge Il. ". Hughes and l..
T. Chandler are the counsel, for Mayor Cahoon,
| who, with about thirty men, were in Inc lower
Station House, the b~asicglng force having cut
off gas and water, and iorbii any provisions to
be sent them. Acrowd OF colorcd men bought
out q bake shop and commenced throwing
bread up to the besieged, but they were driven
| off by the special police. All was quiet at SIX
o'clock. The police telegraph wires have been
cut to prevent their use by the besicgcd.
At dark Mayor E!lyson and Chief Of Police
Poe, and others were arrested by the u. ).
Marshal for having refused u revenue off Ger
permission to see Cahoon in tho character as
United States Commissioner. They were bail
ed until to day. Accompany Of troops has been
brought into the city by order Of General Can
by. 1t is stated that Judge Underwood will
arrive to day and issue an injunction prohibit
ting E!lyson end the other officers from cxercl-
ing the duties Of their Office. The excitement
in the city oil day has been SO great that very
little business has been done. Cahoon is still
besieged.