Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1884-12-06
Eprroa Posr-IHrEL.IarxoEa

EprroR Posr-lNrKL.IoExCEn:
The late action of Victoria Judge
In the Issuance Of writ Of hsbeas cor
pns and the discharge Of the men
charged BY the Grand Jury Of this dis
triot Of grave felonies. has filed the
minds Of the intelligent people Of this
city with astonishment.
THx FACTS.
Certain persons were indicted by q
late Grand Jury OF this district of grave
crimes and misdemean0rs. some we're
arrested. others were not. Those ar
rested gave bonds for their appearance
at the next term Of the District Court.
Before that Court convened eomo per-
son or persons stole said indictments
and said bonds, aud, a. IL IL alleged,
destroyed them. This last act Ii, under
our law, forgery the feionious taking
was grand larceny. Bush aud Mullen
were indicted fer the feionious taking
and destruction Of these bonds and In
dictments.
The people Ut this city, county and
district woSe indignant at this destruc-
ton Of the public records and this at
tempted defeat OF justice, and deter
mined 10 spare no effort or expense 10
bring the Ruilty parties 10 justice. The
uen whose names head this article were
accused Ia . legal manner OF these
heiuous offeusea. A demand was made
by the Governor Of this Territory on
the Governor Of California, 10 which
State these men had fed, for their ex-
tradition under the laws Of the United
States. The demand being In due form,
and the proofs satisfactory, q warrant
was issued by the Governor Of Califor-
MIA for their arrest. Alter their arrest
they were delivered into the custody OF
Mr.. Mc0raw, the Sheriff Of this county,
az messenger, TO be conveyed and deliv-
cred to the proper authorities Of this
Territory, preparatory 70 ArraiRnment
and trial. All Of this was done under
q Law Of Congress-the supreme
law Of this land. Mr.. Mc0raw, ~
such messenger took them aboard one
OF THE steamers regularly plying bs
tween shs ports OF Puget Sound and
San Francisco. to convey them 10 this
district. These are the termini Of the
voyages Of sAid steamers- These steam
err usually touch at Victoria, b. Ga for
the discharge Of freight and passengcrs-
The Geo. ". Elder. on board of which
these men were. stopped for few hours
On Wednesday Lass for the -purpeee
aforesaid in the harbor near Victoria.
No sooner had she steamer reached the
wharf than q Britlsh Sheriff arrives
with 4 writ Of habeas corpss issued by
one Of che Supreme Judges Of British
Columbia, commanding the messenger,
Mr. McGraw, 10 appear before him and
shov cause vhy be held these men IN
opfuement. and after hearing, bis
Honor discharged thom They we're
dischafccd ON shs nroundS frsf. thai
the crime or crimes with the commission
az which they were charged was NOS ex
sraditable under the treaties exiettne
bstveeu the United States and Great
Britain: and, secondly, the Jurisdiction
vas hassd on the fact thai she ship,
Although American, was IN . brst.ao
- s<s,,r The practical result Of this do
cision N that American ships, uniess
they be var vessels. cAnnos % aseo tos
the conveyance Of persons exsrsditec
under the laws OF the United states, =
either business sr nsoessy oomRsss
them 70 touch as British ports. wAisins
fer the present at least sne oiscusslol,
of the propositions Of tnessneuons'
lav underlying this action Of tne nsa.ls,
Authorities, we must SAY u = nsao.s'
oomity With Vengeance lncss -
were al the time N the custody of tne
law-held By national sntnofity y
board Of an American vessel. =.
time oould thev justly claim an ssyisa
an british coil. II in snch eastody sn<
by such authority thsy could oe rlsns
fn,Iv taken from an American seam
ship in 4 Bsitiah kArbor. Why ssl
she NOT be stopped at any time 70 ~.
straits OF Fuos when north Of tne csn.s
line thereof, boarded By British omcsfa
and the prisoners held under sns -
OF the United States released en -
eorpssf Bat, Mr.. Editor. oio ~, 49, -.
shs urinciples underlying the fzcs
stated above. I may DO % = scme g
turs time.
| A,,o~ ra>ole n think as veil cf go