The semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1882-1886, 1886-02-10
LAW DEFYING SEATTLE.
ENGAGES in Another Bold Anti.
Chinese Demonstration.
CHINESE QUARTERS

Visited by Mob-Inmates and Their
Property Driven to Ocean Dock
Government Aid Invoked.
PORTLAND. Oregon, February THE
Oreg0nian's Seattle's special says: At last
the long drawn out anti Chinese agitation
has reached a eliminating point so far as
Seattle is concerned. 1t was thought by
many when the United States troops were
withdrawn from here that the agitation
was dead. and as weeks went by without
the commission of any overt act this
opinion was strengthened. Asevents show,
however. the feeling was not even dormant,
and the agitators have been quietly laying
plans all the while. An effort was made
to put these plans into execution to-day.
though with what success cannot yet be
said. An anti-Chinese meeting was held
last night at which a committee was ap-
pointed for the ostensible purpose of visit
ing Chinatown and ascertaining whether
the city sanitary regulations were being
properly observed by the Cinnamon. This
committee commenced ITS work at O'Clock
this morning and headed by Acting Chief
OF Police Murphy and accompanied by an
enormous crowd which had apparently
come together by. previous under
standings it proceeded to Chinatown.
The mode of procedure was sim
pie. The committee would approach
a Chinaman's house and knocked at the
door; when the occupants appeared they
asked questions concerning cubic air and
other city ordinances, and while the con-
versation was in progress a crowd would
enter the house and begin packing the con-
tents upon a wagon, which would appear
at that juncture. 1t was useless for the
Cinnamon to resist. and they generally ac-
acquisced with as good grace as possible.
When the movable goods were loaded in
the wagon they were also placed on board
and driven to the ocean dock. where the
steamer "Queen of the Pacific" was lying
ready to sail for San Francisco. Not the
slightest warning of this movement had
been given, and the authorizes were totally
unprepared for it. The police force gen.
orally sided with the crowd, and made no
effort to rtop the work of removal. Sheriff
McGraw was soon on the scene and COM
manded the mob to disperse, but they paid
no attention to him. When he would col
lect 81 few citizens and attempt to interfere,
the crowd would cease operations at that
point. hut carry it on without cessation in
other quarters. This continued for several
ADUT6, MCVTdW, OuUXC uTccu
and Mayor Gesler making such ef-
forts as they could in behalf
of law, but without avail. About 10
O'Clock GoYernnor Squire, who is in the
city issaed the following procIa nation:
TO the People of Washington Territory:
WHEREAS, 1t is represented to me by the
Mayor of the city of Seattle as follows:
Hon. w. C. Squire, Sir: The Chinese resi-
dents OF this city OF Seattle are being un-
lawfully removed from this city by d mob
gathered together, the authority
of the city is not sufficient to keen the peace
or preserve order, I appeal to you for aid
and assistance.
HENRY L. YEsTER, Mayor
Now, therefore, 1. Watson C. Squire,
Governor of Washington Territory, do
hereby publish this my proclamation.
all persons to desist from such
breach Of the peace and that peaceably
disposed persons shall retire to their
disposed to assist the ansr,.a as ! are
the duly constituted civil authorities in
law and order. and l request
all persons who are disposed to assist in
order to enroll themselves un-
der the Sheriff Immediately for that pur-
pose. Furthermore order the military OF
I he city to Immediately place themselves
under arms, and that the Commading Of
ticers Of each company report forthwith to
the Sheriff of King county for the purpose
of rendering him military assistance ii need
be in maintaining the law.
Done at Seattle this seventh day OF Feb
ruary, 1886. (Signed)
WATsoN C. SQUIRE. Governor.
When this was read to the crowd it was
received with howls of defiance and it had
absolutely no pacifying effect. An attempt
was then made to ring the fire bells but
they were soon silenced. The two local
companies of militia and three companies
of home guards organized at the time the
United States troops were withdrawn,
however responded as quickly as possible,
and by the time they were ready for action
there seemed nothing for them to do.
About 400 Cinnamon were huddlcd to-
gether in a warehouse on the ocean dock
and an immense crowd prevented them
from returning to their homes, indeed II
majority of them showed much inclination
to remain as they were thoroughly cowed
and eager to get away. The officers OF the
steamship, however, refused to receive the
Cinnamon without tickets. They prepared
hot water hose and took every precaution
to defend the vessel from any attempt to
force the Cinnamon ON board. In this di-
lemma a collection was raised and enough
subscribed to pay the passage II about
100. These were received on board.
each one expressing desire to 60,
and declining the Offers OF the officials
to protect them from violence ii they
remained. The steamer should have
sailed at p. m, but was detained in the
hope that some arrangement would be
made for the passage of the remaining
Cinnamon, who were huddled ON the dock
unable to return to their homes and per-
fectly willing to 60. About 5 p. IN, the
militia marched down to Chinatown and
took possession. 1t was thoroughly de-
serted, except by a few merchants, who
had been allowed tu remain temporarily.
At D. IN, writ of habpas corpus was
issued. charging that the Cinnamon were
illegally restrained OF their liberty on
board the steamer. The writ was made
returnable at 10 this evening, and in the
mea ntime the steamer was enjoined from
sailing. The situation at this hour (9p.m.)
is uncertain. A dismal rain is falling and
the mob has largely dispersed. The
Cinnamon who are not on board the
steamer are huddled together on the
ocean dock; two companies OF militia and
the Home Guards are patrolling the
streets. The Oregon Improvement Com
pany also has eighty men guarding the
docks and warehouses.
The authorities are determined that no
Cinnamon will leave unwillingly. Every
effort will be made to avoid bloodshed,
but the utmost determination is expressed
on this point. Gov. Squires, in addition
to issuing his proclamation, has sent the
following telegram to the Secretary of War,
Secretary OF Interior, and Gen. Gibbon,
Department of Columbia:
SEATTLE, w. T., February 7. An i'm
mense mob are forcing the Chinese to leave
Seattle. The civil authorities are arnling
posse comitatus to protect them and a
serious conflict is probable. respectfully
that United States troops be i'm
medatey sent to Seattle. The troops at
Fort Townsend can arrive soonest and
probably will be sufficient, have issued
a proclamation.
WATSON C. soUIREs, Governor"
The troops at Port Townsend and Van.