, 1878-02-02
Federal, and State Officials Clash.

NEW OrLEiXS, Jan. 26-At | O'Clock
Sheriff Houston who had been In the custom
house for several hours learning that deputy
marshal had been put III charge Of the col
lectors office which was locked and bolted,
proceeded to tie nam doors and office and
there informed the marshal and deputy col
lector that he had Il writ to execute against
Wells & Co, whom he had good reason to
believe We're confined in the room and he
desired admittancc This was refused, where
upon the sheriff, who was accompanied by
two deputies, stated that he would force an
entrance TOmlmson then summoned the
chief deputy marshal who proceeded to the
door of the collectors office and there order
cd the sheriff and assistants as We'll rs the
crowd that had gathered to disband. The
sheriff refused to leave, stating he was de-
tcrmincd to execute the writ OF the court 1T
any hazard or be arrested in the attempt
The sheriff then slightly advancing deputy
marshal Wursburger laid hands upon him
and claimed him and Deputies as prisoners.
The sheriff and party submitted to arrest
and were taken before Judge Billings, sitting
i'll the U. 5. circuit court, but the latter said
he had nothing to do with the party as tine
parties had not been arrested by virtue of
any process from his court
Wursburger then took his prisoners before
L. :. commissioner Lane, where he stated
the case, when Lane requested him to reduce
the subject matter to IN affidavit. Great
excitement prevails about tie custom house
Mr.. Tomlmson, the collectors correspond
ing secretary, made IN affidavit be ore COM
missioner Lane against Houston for resisting
a custom house officer and sent for the COM
mander of revenue cutter and detachment
of marines, ordering them stationed at his
door, through which q passage has to be eff
fected to reach the collectors office. Gen
Sheldon and Mr.. Delorm, appearing before
commissioner Lane and denying the jurisdic-
ton of his court, asked for HOuston's release
Gurley, assistant district attorney, asked for
a continuance until Monday. Lane refused
to grant any continuance but released HouS-
ton on his own recoSnizance, who is under
stood to have Immediately dispatched a sub
ordinate to bring an armed force to force an
entrance to the custom house. The entrance
to the collectors Office is patroled by armed
| marines from the revenue cutter John 4. Dir
They act as United States marshals force,
and are under command of Gen Wharton.
Sheriff Houston. it appears, is In the mar
shall S Office Ill conference with Gen. Wharton,
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 re-
! ported to have agreed to submit their cases
| by telegraph to Washington for settlement.
| 1t is probable Houston has only agreed to
postpone action until marshal Wharton can
| obtain instructions from the department Of
justice.
Attorney general Ogden has telegraphed
to attorney general Devens that members
of the returning board having forfeited their
| bail in the felony cases. have taken refuge
| III the custom house that the sheriff, when
| trying to arrest them, was himself arrested
| He says he does not know why they should
| be free from arrest, and asks if the general
| government sanctions this conduct Deputy
collector Tomlinson says he procured the
marines to prevent the posse from forcing
| the door OF private office, and only protee-
ted public property. The stdu quo is to be
maintained until instructions arrive from
Washington \ prominent republican says
the two of the men wanted are net IN the
custom house, bnt went on a fishing excur-
| sion. Wells is said to be one of the fishing
party.
About 10 o'clock tonight marshal War
ton received an answer to his dispatch from
the attorney general instructing him not to
! interfere with the execution of writ of the
state courts. Sheriff Huston was notified.
| and found Anderson. Kenner and Casanave
in the collectors othee, from whence they
were taken to the parish prison, where they
viii remain until they furnish new bonds of
S5CO0 each. Wells was not in the custom
house, but was seen on morning train of
| the Mobile road II is is believed he is still
in the state and viii surrender Monday and
| furnish bonds at once