The New Orleans Democrat. (New Orleans, La.) 1875-1876, 1876-07-31
GRASrIsM ABROAD.
nigh. nm nded Proceedings IT the Amevi
can COpsa al In siam.
UNITED STATES STEAMER PALos,


HosG KoNa, China, June ID, 1915. i
To the Editor Of the Herald
The United States steamer Ashuelot
Commander Il. 0. Mathews com mand-
inc. arrived here on the 18th inst. from
Bangkok, Siam. where she has been fol
some time past, her commanding officer
having been ordered to that place foI
tho purpose Of Investigating complaints
that we're made against Gen. 4. ".
Partridge, United States Consul Tor
Siam. by American citizens and others.
| From the officers of the Asfsdelot, ]
learn the following, which were stated
as facts s.,
The King Of Siam, Wishing his coun-
try tp be represented at the Centennial
Exposition at Philadelphia, gathered
4 together u large quantity OF stores OF
various kinds representing the different
! varieties of Siamese Industry; 5pect-
mems Of gold and silver plate, collec-
tions OF minerals, models OF houses,
4 temples and boats. In fact, he gathered
n large and valuable collection of goods
and appointed Mr.. Chandler, an Ameri-
can, who has lived many years in Siam,
rs his Commissioned TO the Centennial
Exposition.
1 Our Consul, Mr.. Partridge, wished to
get the appointment for himself, even
! trying to force the Siamese TO give him
the appointment. Failing in this he did
everything in his power to prevent tho
departure OF the Centennial goods with
the agent, Mr.. Chandler. At last he hit
upon q scheme which proved effectual
Mr.. Chandler, some years ago, had be-
come bankrupt, giving up oil his prop
erty to satisfy his creditors, among
whom was an American firm who had
| filed a claim against him at the United
States Consulate. This old charge was
| raked up against Mr.. Chandler by our
noble representative, and he was ar
rested, upon writ issued by General
Partridge, by the United States Mar
shall, Master Fred Partridge, tho Con-
sul's hopeful son. This officer OF jus
| tice, far from showing any respect or
consideration for the gray hairs OF the
old gentleman, knocked him down dur
ing the operation and lodged him in the
\ Consular jail. N
/ THIS ACT OF GROSS INJUSTICE
excited the indignation OF all, and the
| King, Justly incensed at this insult, re-
fused to have anything to do with the
Consul or to be represented at the Cen
tenuial, and would not allow the goods
to be shipped. General Partride, meet
| ing with opposition, sent for an Ameri-
can gunboat to support his authority,
but, wisely thinking 1t might lead to an
| investigation OF his conduct, he coun-
fernandez his request.
| In the meantime Mrs. Chandler start
cd for home, hoping to help her hus-
before the proper authority. Mrs.
Chandler left Bangkok without the Con
sul's knowledge. As soon as he found
| It out he started for Singapore In hot
haste. hoping to intercept the lady at
| that place. appointing bis son Vice
| Consul in his absence. Gen. Partridge
alleged that the lady had important
papers in her possession which we're
connected with her husbands case and
which it was necessary for him to OBJ
tain. His probable object, however,
was to detain Mrs. Chandler at Bang
kok. He arrived In Singapore just too
late to intercept the lady, and returned
to Bangkok. In the meantime the
American missionaries and other
American citizens had written aud
signed paper entlnerating their
grievances and preferring grave charges
both against the Consul and his son for
misconduct. This paper was sent to
the proper authorities, Gen. Partridge
finding it out when too late to inter
cept It. .u
The Consul suspected ono Reynolds as
being the instigatOr OF this paper, and
by young Partridge, damages being
fixed at $40. This amount was fixed
upon as all Consus can impose fines
without appeal, said fines not to exceed
$500. In cases where fines are levied
exceeding that amount there can be an
appeal to a higher source. se,
The Consular Court was convened
upon the day appointed for the trial.
General Partridge remarked as the pro-
secution was not ready, although It
might be deemed q little irregular. still
he would go on with the case and allow
the defendant to go on and call up wit
nesses i'm order to demonstrate the facts
OF his innocence. Several missionaries
were then called up as witnesses for
the defense and cross-examined by mas
ter Fred Partridge, who appeared for
the prosecution. One Of the questions
asked them concerning their knowledge
OF the case was such that they could
not answer without duplicating them
selves they refused to answer 1t, MAX
ing this plea. The plea was disallowed
and the same question was repeated
with little. change five separate times,
the Consul filming witnesses $40 for each
offence $3.50 each) for contempt OF court
Furthermore, at the conclusion OF the
trial he adjudged that as the witnesses
had done all in their power to hinder
the trial, It was no more than fair that
they should pay the costs Of the suit,
amounting to $s4, and that they should
be committed to the consular Jail until
the costs and fines be paid. This SEN
tence was Carried out, and the witnesses,
who were missionaries, went TO prison.
This was the state OF affairs when
Capt. Mathews arrived In Siam.
@y4 A PERFECT REIGN OF TERROR
existed under the Consular tyranny, and
American citizens had no redress, as we
have only one representative In Siam,
leaving an appeal to a higher source
out OF the question, and thus giving the
Consul almost absolute power The
arrival OF the Ashuelot was hailed with
Joy, both by the Americans and the
Siamese.
The King OF Siam was much pleased
with the attention shown him by Capt.
Mathews and his officers, and held no
official communication with the Consul.
He gave frequent audiences to the
officers OF the AsbuelOt, and when he
a. Al