Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1870-03-24
Affairs in Richmcnd. va.

by military appointment intended resisting
any movement to dispossess them until
their successors we're elected by the people,
as they held the Enabling act declaring
the Offices vacant to be unconstitutional
On Wednesday night the City Council
appointed by Governor Walker under the
Enabling act, elected Henry X Eilyson
Mayor, and chose new Chef and Cap
tain of Police. Yesterday morning about
day the new Chief, Maj. John Poe, ap-
piled at the lower Station House for pos
session, but was refused. Later in the
day Mayor Ellyson applied by letter to
Mayor Caboon for the Mayors office.
books, &c., and was refused, Cahoon de-
claring he was in the Office by law, and
would not yield until elected Cahoon.
who had possession of the lover Station
House, proceeded to swear in special
Copstables to the number of one hum
dred and fifty, including about twenty col
ored. Ellyson then proceeded to swear
in about two hundred special officers, and
at one o'clock surrounel the lower Station
House, where Cahoon and his specials are,
the plan being to arrest any of them who
came out. Mayor Elyson has possession
of the City Hall and all the other public
buildings except the Station House which
are held by the opposite party. There
was crowd of LOCO blacks and many
whites congrega;ed about the lower Sta
ton House, which is the point of interest.
Cahoon sent through his council, ex-Gov-
~ ~ III
stating his position an. asking assistance
to MAINTAIN his authority
Governor Walker in reply to Mayor
Cahoon's application, said that Mayor
Ellyson being legally elected under an
act of Legislature he cannot recognize any
one else as Mayor: that Cahoon is inca
palle of holding the Office under the law
of Virginia, as he already holds Federal
Office; that No breach of the peace can oc-
cur without Cahoon's act or approval;
that he should resort to peaceful judicial
remedy if he wants to test the question of
right; and finally. that be should obey
the laws and sustain the constituted au-
thorities.
Tx Gov. Wise, yudgeR. " Hughes
and L. T. Chandler are. the counsel. for
Mayor Cahoon, who, with about thirty
men, were in the lower Station House,
the besicging force having cut offgas and
water, and forbid any provisions to be
sent tlcm. A crowd Of colored men
] bought cut bake shop ard commenced
| throwing bread up to the besieged, but
they were driven off by the special police
All was quiet at six O'clock. The
telegraph wires have been cut to prevent
their use by the besieged.
At dark, Mayor Ellyson and Chief of
Police Poe, aud others were arrested by
the U. s. Marshal for having refused a
revenue officer permission to see Cahoon
in the character of United States Com
missioncrs. They were bailed until to
day A company of troops has been
brought into the city by order Of General
Candy. It is stated that Judge Underwood
will arrive to day and issue an injunction
prohibiting Ellyson and other officers from
exercising the duties Of their Office. The
excitment in the city all day has been SO
great that very lit lie business has been
done. CaLoon is still besieged.
RICHMOND, March 1S.-The excitement
in reference to the municipal officers con-
tinucs undated, although there has been
truce to actual hostilities. This morn
ing, Gen. Candy interrercd, and af-
ter interviewing" Mayor Ellyson, ex-
Gov. Wise, Gen. Wells and Mr.. Chahoon
issued an 'order' in the shape Of letter
10 Mayor ElIyson, of which the following
is copy:
Headquarters. &c.
RICHMOND, Va, March IS, 1870
NJ. II. K. ENyson, Rimond, Va:
Sir,-I will send at o'clock, to-day, a
commissioned officer and ten men to the
old market hall as a guard for the build
ing and the public property that may be
there, and shall request Mr.. Chahoon to
send away all the police force and other
persons that may be there, except such
messengers, clerks, &c. as may be nee
essary for the transaction of business. The
officer Of the guard will be instructed that
his duties are smply to see that the prop
erty Of the city is guarded, that free in-
gress and egress is secured to all persons
having business in the building. and that
the occupants are not elected by force
from their present possession.
This action cannot, of couse, affect in
any way any of the questions involved in
the pending controversy, and is taken.
purely as prccaution against any act of
disorder or violence, and until the ques-
tions at issue can be brought to a judicial
termin alton. -agB u.s. .
Very respectfully, your obcdient ser
want, E. r. S. CANDY
Bvt. Maj. Gen CONG.
Official copy :-CuAs. s. HEIrzELMAN,
A. D. G.
The military commander takes no part
in the controversy, of course, but virtually
sides with his party friends!
Mayor Eilyson upon the RECEIPT of Gen.
eral Canby's letter Immediately addressed
q letter to Gov. Walker, setting forth the
purport of Gen. Canby's note. and conclu-
ding with an earnest protest in the name
of the people OF this city, and to the Chef
Executive officer of the commonwealth,
against what conceive to be an unwar-
rantcd interference with the civil power of
the State By General Commanding"
Gov. Walker has sent communication
to the city Council in response it is sup
posed to Mr.. Ellyson's letter, but as the
Council is in secret session the purport of
the communication has Lot transpired. \ x
More trouble is feared to morrow when