The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-03-30
new ORLEANS BULLETIN
NEW ORLEANS, MARCH 80, 1875.
THE GUiliOTINE AT WORK.
Two Head, Fall Into the Basket.
Judge Woods DccapitateS United
States Commissioners Frisbie
and E>tlin.
THE GUiLLOTiNE AT WORK.
Two Heads Fall Into the Basket.


pus, the prisoner was brought into the court.
Monday morning. Hon Z. John Ellis ap-
pcared for the relator, District Attorney
BeckwitE for the United States.
1t appears Williams was committed by
United States Commissioner Estlin for an as
5ault and battery on the navigable waters Of
the United States, and he executed bond
before this commissioner but because he
would not pay i've dollars for tho bond he
was RENTED to prison.
Estlinswas put on the stand ana testified
chat the rsoner had executed tho bond but
that as there was q desire expressed to have
the case sent before the District Court, he
destroyed the bond. When asked whether
he had charged five dollars for bond, he
stated he had done SO because it was the
custom for commissioners here to do SO. lie
couldn't say whore the law was for this charge.
There was no law for it he knew, but he
thought all the commissioners charged it
he had the right to do SO.
District Attorney Beckwith put him
through rather a severe cross examination on
his unlawful charges, and the commissioner
showed considerable confusion before the
court.
Dir. Hines, mate Of the steamer Robert T.
Lee, testified that he visited the office of Com
missioner Estlln to see whether he could get
the release of Williams. Estlin read an
affidavit TO me, and | told him had no time
to wait that it would be better to send the
A. ~.
bond, and then Estlin demanded fl We dollars
and | told Williams the charge was unjust |
left at once and thought the man would be re-
leased
Judge Woods said
nm at loss what to do with the prisoner,
the bond lad been destroyed. i will ad-
NIT the prisoner to bail in the sum of $500.
With regard to the conduct OF this Commits
sioncr it is difficult to find words to express
my views. He tells rs that It is tho custom
of the United States Commissioner here to
demand - Tor every bond that he gives.
Now, there is no warrant in law that justi- |
ties any such thing. These Commissioners
have no right to exact one penny from any
accused person, and it is simply extortion ia
office They take advantage OF those parties
brought before them on criminal charges, end |
before thev will allow them their liberty they
demand fee of So Now, | intend to put a |
stop to this.
To the Clerk lou may enter an order on
the minutes revoking the appointment Of G.
Z. E5tlip as nited States mmi,sioncr and
send him 4 certified copy Of this order under
seal of the Court. Most of the commi ISL oners
of this court are men of high character ard
but some have been appointed
TO this office who are utterly unworthy of
ii ,ni1,n
these appointments On the recommen iatlons
OF some OF our most respectable members of
tte bar and other gentlemen. but find after
wards that tAe appolntees are not fit for the
position.
After the reading of the minutes of the
Court Judge Woods caused another surprise
to those present, and on all sides could be
heard expressions of pleasure at his next
work. lie said:
| have had occasion this morning in hearing ,
| babeas roYtls rendered to the keeper of the
Parish Prison, to bring before this court
prisoner, committed by Commissioner Estin
rom his office for charging fees not GU
horned by law.
Some eighteen months ago. on the repeated
application Of II. \. Frisbie, and on the re-
commentator Of very respectable gentlemen,
or this district. He had not been in off ce J
more than few months before he was in
licted for eXtortion in Office | she uld have !
emoved him at that time, but l thought il
night prejudice his defense, and did not :,
wish to pre- udice him. wrote to him request !
ng him to suspend the duties of his office \
Until he had been tried and acquitted upon
hat charge | received his promise that he l
would comply with that request.
am credibly informed and believe that he ,,
las dlsregarded this request, and has been I
ct!ng as Commissioner. There are several /
Their charges against him. / do not wish to y
re Judge his case until after hearing he has A
iolated his word to me, in assuming to net j
5 commissioner after promising TO refrain
rom SO dong. | direct that an order be en- y
red on the minutes OF the court, revoking \,
Is appointment as United States Commits Al
oner, and that he be notified thereof under i,
le seal OF the court. N
1t will be remembered that Ii. n. Frisbie .
rs prosecuted some months ago before j
nited States Commissioner Craig, by Hon Z
John Ills, on five charges OF extortion, :
ID was bound over to the United States 4
oUrt on al Of said charges. -
Thanks to the promptness and decision of Il
idge Woods and the able and persistent n; III
iorts OF Col. Ellis, the officers and men of II
II steamboats, are freed from the annoyances, III
actions and petty tyranny of these impure
ld eNtortlonate officials
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