The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1890-06-07
NICE STATE OF AFFAIRS
AT Cedar Keys, Florida-1Inyor CottrelVs
y Outrageous Action

Outrageous Action.
WASHINGTON, June 6.-The President
sent to the Senate to-day in response to
resolution OF May 2G. requesting in.
formation concerning the alleged land.
ing OF an armed force from the United
States Revenue cutter McLane, at Cedar
Keys, Florida, and the alleged entry Of
the houses Of citizens by force and their
alleged pursuit OF citizens OF the United
States in tho surrounding country, a
letter containing what he describes as
all the Information possessed by the
Executive Department, relating to the
matters inquired about.
ut will be Observed" says the Presi-
dent, "that the U. S. Collector OF Gus
toms OF Cedar Keys, had been driven
from his Office and from the town and
the administration Of the Customs laws
of the United States at that port sus-
pended by the violent demonstration
and threats OF one Cottrell, the Mayor of
the place, assisted by his town marshal,
Mitchell. II it had been necessary, as
do not think it can be in any case, for a
U. S. officer to appeal to local authorities
for immunity from violence in the ex-
ercise OF his duties, the situation at
Cedar Keys did not suggest such an ap.
peal, for those to whom the appeal
would have been addressed, were them.
selves the lawless instruments of the
threatened violence. 1t will always be
agreeable to me il the local authorities
aching upon their own sense OF duty,
maintain the public order in such way
that officers OF the United States shall
have no occasion to appeal for the inter-
vention OF the general government, but
when this is not done, shall deem 1t
my duty to use the adequate powers
vested in the Executive to make it safe
and feasible to hold and exercise the
Offices established by the Federal Con.
stitution and laws. The means used in
this case were, in my opinion, lawful
and necessary, and the officers do not
seem to have intruded upon any private
right in executing the warrants placed
in their hands. The letter dated August
tith, last, which appears in the CORES.
pondence submitted, appealing TO me to
intervene for the protection OF tho city
OF Cedar Keys, from the brutal violence
Of Cottreli, it will be noticed, was writ.
ten before the appointment Of the new
Collector. That the officers OF the law
should not have had the full sympathy
OF every good citizen in their efforts to
bring these men to merited punishment
is matter Of surprise and regret. 1t is
very grim commentary upon the con
dition OF social order at Cedar Keys
that only woman, that had, as sht
says in her letter, no son, or husband
who could be made the victim OF his
malice, had the courage to file chargel
against this man, who was then holding
a subordinate place in the customs ser
vice"
The papers accompanying the message
include the correspondence between tht
Department Of Justice and Marsha
Weeks, and between the Treasury De
partment and the customs officers, anC
officers Of the Revenue Gutter McLane
which was sent to Cedar Keys.
The dated report Of S. L. Estrangr
United States Deputy Marshal, who wa.
sent to Cedar Keys to search for Cot
trtll and Mitchell with warrants fo
their arrest, shows that Cottrell was no
found, but Mitchell was arrested and re
leased on bail. Estrango says that h,
and Captain Smythe, Of the McLaue
were ,victimized by people who foilet
them several times in their Efforts t
capture Cottrell. The Captain Of ,
steam launch owned by E. Faber, de
,nanded $50 day for the nse Of the yes
sci to make trip ur the Suwanee
where it was believed Cottrell was hid
ing, whtn $40 day, it is said, woule
have been big price.
After Mitchell's release, he was rein
stated in office. $50 tne my safely in
fer that the policy Of Mayor Cottrell ha
been fully endorsed. Not one wor,
appeared in the newspaper published
here Cedar keys) in relation to th
difficulties between Coltrell and th
Collector" s'.F = I. =
The reports Of Captain Smythe, Of tn
McLane, and J. II. pinkerton, Collecto
at Cedar Keys, agree with the report
that have been published. Pinkertol
says; II heard that Cottrell said tha
United States Attorney STRIPPING woul
not prosecute him as they were particu
lar friends, and must say that Nj
Stripping discouraged my action in th
matter and advised me to wait unit
Oottrell made further demonstrations
and then to take shot gun and shoe
him If he interfered." g.