Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1886-03-26
OLiAPIi. FRIDAY EVENING, MARCH g. 1856
Memorable Prccedent>.


Those who are 40 ready 10 excuse
Gov Squire for placing seattle I'M
der martial law, may gather some IN
struction from preceden,s notable
in national history, OF the manner in
which such extreme use OF power
has been regarded by the people as
wellas by the law givcrs. December
18th, 1913, during the INVASION of
Louisiana by the British, Gen. Jack
son declared martial law, his course
M commander being seriously OBJ
s,rucied by civilians, who seemed
Obvious OF the selfevident fact that
the most vigorous measures and
united action alone could save the
State. which the enemy, If victor
ions. would have retained ia sp!te OF
the treaty of Client. on the ground
Tat when France had ceded Lou
isiana 10 US she had no claim to the
territory sold.
II il recorded in tie life Of the
eminent chi, ftain that Mr.. Loulllier.
a member OF the State Ls3isla ure.
was conspicuous amor < the Generals
enemies, and finally, on March 9th
succeeding. jackson arrested him.
Judge Hall, OF the L. =. District
Court, granted tho petition OF the
prisoner for "a writ Il habrds corpus,
and was himself arrested aud i'm
prisoned, and finally banished from
the city OF New Orleans. On the
18th day Of the same mouth. mar
tial law was q abrogated by the Gen
erals order and Judge Hail returned.
Jackson was then arrested for con
tempt of court and fined 81 600,
which he paid himself notwithstand-
ing repeated profIcrs we're made to
raise the fine by subscription,
while no afforded ample protection
TO tho court, which could not hive
stood moment without his aid.
After the Generals retirement from
public life. some OF his friends petit
toned Congress to refund the amount
OF tho fine. The effort was success
full only after determined opposition,
the principle OF non-interference
with civil law being held 80 sacred,
Notwithstanding ths extonuating cir
cumstances OF the State being under
invasion by a foreign foe, and the
result, with divided counscls, ex-
tremely uncertain.
Another instance Of the uso OF
this extreme measure came under
the personal observation Of many Of
our pioneer residents. Gov. Stevens
declared martial law during The In
dian war Of 1886, and arrested
Judge Lander Of tho U. s. District
Court whiI6 the tern was in session
at Olympia. Notwithstanding the
personal popularity Of our first Gov
srnor, this act aroused the most bit
tor animosity against him, and IL was
only after the persistent effort Of his
friends united with his own high
standing % man of integrity and
wsll-kSown probity Of character,
that what was generally conceded to
have been an usurpation Of power
Was condoncd. The writer will never
forget the vigorous language in
which the act was denounced by
such jurists ~ Elwood Evans, Esq.
ut the time.
Tho privilege Of tho writ Of ha-
teas corpus was considered by the
founders Of The Government Of 20
much importance that in the limita-
tions placed on Congress by tho Con-
stitulion, which declares that laws
passed by that body in pursuance"
Of IL shall DO the supreme law
Of the land" tho express restraint
Ia imposed against authorizing q sus-
psneion Of the writ unless ia cases
Of rsbsllion or invasion, the public
safety require it," No such condi-
lions existed at Seattle, nor was
our one-horss Governor clothed with
power that Congress only could
authorize ~ = heroic remedy.
BERiAH Brown, Esq, is reported
to have called upon President Clevo-
land and received some assurance Of
his appointment as Govsrnor--n
Gov. Squire IL removed. The word
If il q big one. in this connection.
The President. it IL reported. again