The star of Pascagoula. [volume] (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1873-1878, 1878-02-01
LOUISIANA RETURNING BOARD.
They Defy the sheriff by Hiding in
the Cussonlaouse--Thc sheriff
Arrested. s
Anderson, Casannvc and Kenner Cap
tared--WeIis Escapes.

N. ". Times, ~ftn' aa
The panicky retreat Of the mems
bers of the returning board to the
customhouse, after the decision OF
Judge Whitaker refusing to transfer
their cases TO the U. s. court, is a
sudden descent from the lofty con-
fidence heretofore manifested by
them. The forfeiture OF their bonds
was probably not matter serious
enough to have deferred them from
a fishing excursion, inasmuch as it
is very generally believed that there
is nothing substantial in the bonds
to be forfeited. The significance OF
the event is In the alarm manifested
by the accused and the possible
conflict between the federal and
state courts. II the premises occu,
pied by federal officials in the sew
eral states are to be construed as
places of refuge where writs in crimi.
nal proceedings emanating from state
courts cannot be served, a new and
startling feature will be introduced
into the jurisprudence of the land.
The political aspect of the present
cases does not affect the principles
involved. II Wells and Anderson
cannot be re-arrested in the Gust om-
house on a charge of forgery, any
criminal charged with murder or
burglary. taking refuge there, would
be equally exempt. On the other
hand, the administration at Washs
ington will be seriously embarrassed.
Whatever techinal pleas may inter,
yene it is a substantial fact that the
four refugees put Mr.. Hayes in the
presidential chair and the means by
which they accomplished this are the
cause of their indictment. They
have fed for protection to the adj
ministration. IT they are given up
and convicted the result will be TO
stamp the presidential title with
fraud in a formal proceeding. 1t
they are not turned over to the
state courts, the administration will
be placed in tho attitude of protects
ing criminals in its own interest.
Each dilemma is rather worse than
the other. There is not much ex>
citement here but naturally great
deal of interest in the outcome.
Truly the crooked road is a hard
one.
ARREST OF THE SHERIFF.
The sheriff made a formal demand
for Wells at the customhouse to-
day. which was refused by the
deputy collector. The deputy mar
shall ordered the sheriff from the
door of the collectors Office. Sheriff
Houston declined to leave saying
he would have his prisoner or be
arrested himself. The sheriff and
party submitted to arrest and were
taken before District Judge Billings,
who said he had nothing to do with
he matter. The sheriff was released
IN his own recognizance. The
marines are at tue cu5tomhouse.
Sheriff Houston, it appears from the
statement of hi deputy, is in the
narshal's Office in conference with
General Wharton and will probably
proceed to make tue arrest as soon
IS the conference is ended.
ANDERSON, cAsANAvE AND KENNER
CAPTURED.
At eleven o'clock, last night,
sheriff Houston entered the custom
rouse, arrested Anderson, kenner
ind Casananave in the collectors
,ffice and took them to the parish
prison. Wells was not among them.
L was presumed he is out of the
tate, and the guard was Withdrawn
rom around the customhouse. 1t
le happened to be hid in another
oom, there was no good reason
Why he could not have escaped
fter midnight. The explanation
" democratic politicians at mid
light of his absence, is that he
ould be easily convicted OF the
Ternon parish forgery. while the
ther members think they can pass
he ordeal unscathed.