The Findlay Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Hancock County, Ohio) 1870-1881, 1878-01-18
WASHINGTON LETTER.
From our Special Correspondent

d NNaceo14S az L. doOs " ocCESAsAEN SlCE-
man relative to the recent disturbances
IN that county, was ordered to be made
public at the Friday Cabinet meeting.
and is substantially as follows The or
igin Of the trouble was local, but many
Mexican citizens unquestionably came
across the Rio Grande and participated.
Northern Mexico and States adjacent 10
Texas have long dawn their principal
supplies of salt from the lakes in dispute.
about 100 miles from Ell Paso. 1t has
always been free, heretofore, to all. and
the traffic gave employment to many
hundred people. In11s6S clause was
inserted in the Texas constitution, per
nitting private parties to locate salt
lakes, provision since utilized by poll
ticians of Ell Paso county in obtaining
the votes of such as could be tricked into
the arrangement on the promise to OBJ
tain for those thus voting, absolute titles
to the salt licks. Pestilent ofice-seekers
have thus ofen been elected, only to re
pudlate their part Of the contract and to
leave their dupes under the impression
that they have been grossly cheated.
These lakes fell into the hands of the
Texas Pacific Company when the State
granted their road the right of way
through it; and heEce 1t could no longer
issue letters patent for them nor could
they be located on State certificates. The
road having only been completed to Fort
Worth the Company could not obtain
sufficient certificates to supply the trade.
and they consequently command a high
price. An Austin Company finally sue
ceeded by some sharp practice (prob
ably) in locating the lakes in such way
as to give it some shadow of a title, moro
or less valid, and entrusted their case to
a local agent. Severe measures were at
once adopted to deter Mexicans from
coming for further supplies of the saline
products. The then highest authority
inDthe county was the County Judge. a
Mexican. who is supposed to have been
under obligations to the agent, for his
election, and decided every question
relative to the property, in his favor. By
his orders several parties we're arrested
on complaint of the agent, not for actual
trespass, but because they had threaten
ed it. The Mexicans were consequently
much intlamed against both, in conse
quenee; the agent claimed the Sheriffs
protection against the Mexicans,who had
run down and imprisoned the Judge;
they then beseiged the house of the
Sheriff who temporarily left to put his
wife in place of safety, and who was
not allowed to return. The agent was
captured and given his choice TO either
sign paper making the lakes free to all
desiring to use their products until their
ownership should have beendetermined
by competent authority, and t6 leave the
country within "a hours after release,
never to return, or remain in custody.
After three days he complied with the
conditions, being warned by priest that
he would be killed if he held out longer.
They imposed no restrictions On. the
Sheriffs movements after the agents
capture. The agent soon returned to
FL Paso; and almost Immediately met
COrdes, the leader of the Mexican mob
(American citizens of Mexican birth or
extraction, with few Mexican citizens)
and killed him. It was generally be-
lieved that Cordes ins.igated the mob in
their acts. Howard eluded his pursuers.
going to New Mexico, and returned
December ID. In November, Mr. Jones,
under State authority, recruited a COM
pany of Rangers go men) to aid the
Sheriff in enforcing law and preserving
peace. December 18th Howard left El
Paso under Ranger escort, with writs Of
requestration against the saline contents
of many Mexican carts returning to San
Elizano from the icks, and to arrest
those found in possession Of the salt. On
his arrival, Mr. Slade understands, ne
conducted himself in a way almost GER
tain to precipitate a conflict with the
Mexican residents, calling them @greas
ers" and other opprobrious epithets, and
daring them to combat. This exaspera-
ting conduct appears as unprovoked "a
his insults were gratuitous; being prob
ably prompted by the previous indigni-
ties to which he was subjected, and
based on the supposition that his force
was superior to any that could be mus
J tered against it. In the morning they
/ found themselves surrounded b. the
Mexican residents and others come to
assist. After four days siege both
parties displayed white fags-the Rang
ers first. Howard, Atkinson, and Nc
Bride (Howard s sub agents. we're iE-
duced to visit the Mexicans with the
promise that if they should do omatters
could be readily adjusted. They were
at once taken out and shot. The balance
Of the command had meantime surren-
dered, but we're next morning released
from confinement; their horses were
returned 20 them but not their arms.
Killed during the four days frlsilade two
Rangers and three or four Mexicans.
several Of both sides being wounded.
At the date Of the report the few Amer
/ ican citizens had fed the town, and the
Mexicans were preparing to escape
across the river, leaving the bats and
owls in possession.
/ The veterans and recruits ofthe female
suffrage cause are gathering from near
and Ear for their annual convention. in
this city, on the sth and 9th inst. Nes.rly
ali the old pioneers. and those who have
become prominent later, are here enter
tanned b. their Congressional and o.her
friends. Headquarters at Riggs House.
Members Of Congress may prepare for a
vigorous assault, as their morale is ex-
cellent No sign Of denomination Oh
discouragement and the belief even Of
those most uncompromising in their
opposition, grows more nearly unani-
nous every year that the cause viii
Ultimately win
The demand for postal savings banks.
or something equivalent, where the
Government shall act as the responsible
custodian Of deposits, instead of ire
spons bic sharpers and thieyes. bacomes