The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1878-01-30
LOUISIANA.

1S1AN a.
GREAT EXCITEMENT IN THE CRESCENT CITY.
New ORLEANS, Jan. 26-At / O'Clock,
Sheriff Houston, who had been in the Cns-
tom House for sever raj hours, learning that
Deputy Marshal had been put in charge
OF the Collectors office, which was locked
and bolted, proceeded to the main door Of
the office and there informed the Marshal
and Deputy Collector Tomlinson, that he
had a writ to execute against Wells & Co.,
whom he had good reason to believe were
confined in the room, and he desired adj
mittance. This was refused, whereupon
the Sheriff, who was accompanied by two
deputies, stated that he would force an en-
trance. Mr.. Tomlinson then summoned his
chief Deputy Marshal, who proceeded to
the door of the Collectors Office. and there
ordered the Sheriff and assistants, as well as
the crowd that had gathered, to disband,
The Sheriff refused to leave stating he was
determined to execute the writ OF the court,
at any hazard or be arrested in the attem pt
Sheriff Houston then slightly advancing,
deputy Marshal Wurzburger laid his hand
Oh him,and claimed him and his deputies as
prisoners. The Sheriff and party submit
ted to arrest, and were taken before Judge
Billings sitting in the United States Circuit
Curt, but the latter said he had nothing to
do with the matter, as the parties had not
been arrested by virtue of any process from
his Court. Mr.. Wurzburger then took his
prisoners before United States Com IN ission-
er Lane, where he stated the case, when
Lane requested him to reduce the subject
matter to an affidavit Great excitement
prevails about the Custom House.
Mr.. Tolnlinson, the Collectors cores
ponding Secretary, made affidavit before
United States Commissioner Lane, against
Houston, FOR resisting the Custom House off,
GERS. and has sent for the captain OF revenue
cutter and detachment OF m arines, order
ing them TO be stationed a; his door. through
which a passage has to be ofierted to reach
the Collectors office. GsH'l Sheldon and
Mr.. DoloYen appearing before Commission
er Lane, and denying the jurisdict ion of
his court, asked for HOuston's release. Mr.
Guiley, assistant District ATTORNEY, asked
for a continuance until Monday. Lane
refused to grant any continuance, but re-
leased Houston on his own recognizance
who is understood to have Immediately
dispatched subordinate TO bring an armed
force to force an enti ancc to the Custom
House. The entrance to the Collectors
office is patroled by armed marines from
the revenVa cutter, John A. Dix. They are
there as a Mar.hal's force and under COM
mand of GenI Wharton.
1t is reported that an attorney for the
Returning Board had made a motion before
Judge Billings for a writ of certiorari, but it
is not true. AT the adjournment of the
court, Judge Billings stated that no such
motion had been made. 1t is understood that
the reason why it was not made, was GER
tainiy in the minds of the attorneys. that
it would be refused. Deputy Marshal
Wurzburger states that the Marshal did not
send for the revenue marines, but that Mr.
Tomlinson, who made the affidavit, placed
them at the Collectors door. and turned
them over to him, saying: "MT. Marshal,
now turn these men oyer to YOU" Ensign
BeckwIth, commanding the marines would
only state that he was there with his
force as a Marshafs posse. Gen. Sheldon
ridicules he sacred soil' idea, and thinks
Marshal Wurzburger is liable under the
State law for otstructing a State peace off,
Ger i'll the legitimate discharge of his duty.
LATER-Sherif Houston, it appears from
the statement Of his deputy, is in the Mar
shafs office, in conference with Gen. Wharf
ton, and will probably proceed to make the
arrest as soon as the conference is ended.
The Sheriff is said to be acting under the
direction of Attorney General Ogden in his
conference with Marshal Wharton, and they
are reported to have agreed TO submit the
crisis by telegraph to Washington for set
Element. 1t is probable that Houston has
only agreed to postpone action until Mar
dial Wharton can obtain instructions from
the Department of Justice.