The Daily bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Hawaii]) 1882-1895, 1886-02-24
FOREIGN NEWS.
(.Son Francisco, Feb. 14h, per s.
s. Aldmedd.)
RIOTING AT SEATTLE.

Az I'LL uull-NnlutSt lllttllliS ntlN
at Seattle, Washington Territory,
Feb. 9th, committee was appointed
for the ostensible purpose of visit
ing Chinatown and ascertaining
whether the city sanitary regula-
tons were properly observed by
Cinnamon. This committee began
work on the following morning,
headed by acting Chief of Police
Murphy. An enormous crowd, as
if by previous arrangement, followed
in its train. When a Chinaman's
house was opened in response to the
committees knock, the crowd would
enter and begin packing the contents
on wagon appearing at that juno
ture. When their household effects
were loaded, the Chinese were them
selves placed on the wagon, and all
driven to the dock, where the
steamer Queen of the Pacific was
lying ready to sail for San Francisco.
No warning having been given, the
authorities were totally unprepared
for this procedure, while the police
generally sided with the crowd and
made no effort to stop the removal.
Sheriff McGraw appeared on the
scene and induced few citizens to
assist him in endeavoring to repress
the action of the mob. His efforts
proved futile, for the crowd would
cease operations at a point where
they were interfered with, only to
resume work elsewhere.
Upon representations from Mayor
Yesler, Governor Squire, who was
in the city, issued proclamation,
warning all persons against break
ing the peace; commanding all to
return to their homes except such as
were disposed to assist the Sheriff
requesting the latter class to enroll
themselves under that officer, and
ordering the military companies of
the city to place themselves under
arms, and their commanding officers
to report themselves to the Sheriff
for the purpose of rendering him
military assistance, if required, in
maintaining the law. This proca-
nation was read to the crowd, but
it was received with bowls of def
ance, and had no pacifying effect.
Two local companies of militia and
three companies of home guards,
organized when the United States
troops were withdrawn on the occa-
sion of previous trouble terminating,
responded as quickly as possible,
but by the time they were ready for
action there seemed to be nothing
for them to do.
About four hundred men were
now huddled at the dock, prevented
by the immense crowd from return
ing to their homes, and refused all
mittancc to the ship without tickets.
The officers of the vessel got ready
hot water hose and other means of
Tepelling an attempt to force the
Chinese on board. A subscription
was then taken up, enough money
being shortly raised to pay the fares
of about a hundred. That number
were accordingly received on board,
apparently glad enough to get away.
The steamer should have sailed at
one O'Clock in the afternoon, but
was detained in the hope that ar
engagements could be made for ship
ping the remainder of the Chinese.
About five O'Clock the militia
marched into Chinatown and took
possession, but it was thoroughly
deserted. A writ of habeas corpus
alleging illegal detention of the Chi
nese on the vessel, was issued, re-
turnable at ten o'clock, the Queer
of the Pacific being enjoined from
sailing. The authorities were deter
mined that no Chinese should leave
unwillingly. The Governor tele
graphed the state of affairs to tho
Secretary of War, requesting the
despatch of United States troops
from Port Townsend.
Surprise was felt that the move
ment had been arranged so quietly
1t was believed by many that the
plans were made in Tacoma, as
many prominent agitators from thai
place, as well as reporters from its
two papers, arrived at Seattle tho
previous day. Mayor Weisbach, O
Tacoma, was also there, and it wa
freely asserted that he, with others
was engineering the movement.
Capt. Alexander, of the Queen o
the Pacific, appeared in Court at II
O'Clock, and in answer to the sum
mons to produce the Cinnamon
made an affidavit that he was fOrci
bly, restrained from doing so. Judg
Greene, therefore, issued an orde
to the Sheriff to have the Chiname
in Court at 7:l5 A. NJ. During tn
night the streets were paraded b.
the militia, sentries were stationed 4
every corner and every DrecautiOl