Los Angeles herald., 1890-06-07
THE CEDAR KEYS AFFAIR
PRESIDENT HARRISON'S MESSAGE
ON THE SUBJECT.
from Revenue Cutter to Effect Mayor
Cottrell's Arrest.

WASHINGTON, June 6.-The presidents
letter transmitting to the senate infor-
nation about the Cedar Keys, Fla,
matter, details the circumstances
already familiar to the public, and adds ::
'It will be observed that the United
States collector of customs at Cedar
Keys had been driven from his office
and from the town and the administra-
ton of the customs laws of the United
States at that port, suspended by the
violent demonstration and threats of one
Cottrell, the mayor of the place, assisted
by his town marshal, Mitchell. If it
had been necessary, as | do not think it
can be in any case for United States
officer to appeal to the local authorities
for immunity from violence in the eXer-
else of his duties, the situation at Cedar
Keys did not suggest or encourage such
appeal. twill always be agreeable to me
if the local authorities, acting upon
their own sense OF duty, maintain public
order When this is not done, / shall
deem it my duty to use the adequate
powers vested in the executive to make
it safe and feasible to hold and exercise
offices established by the federal consti-
tuition and laws. The means used in
this case, were in my opinion, lawful
and necessary, and the officers no not
seem to have intruded upon any private
right in executing the warrants placed
III their hands. A letter dated August
4th last, which appears in the CORES
pondence submitted. appealing to me to
intervene for the protection of the city
xfG Ga1. l. fl,n ,tnIx r1
of Cottrell, it will be noticed. was written
before the appointment OF the new col
lector. 1t is a very grim commentary
upon the condition OF social order at
Cedar Keys, that only a woman who
husband who could be made the victim
of his malice, had the courage to file
charges against this man who was then
holding a subordinate place in the GUS
toms service.
The report OF United States Deputy
Marshal Estrange says he and Captain
Smith, of the revenue cutter McLane,
were victimized by the people, who
foiled them several times in their efforts
to recapture Cottrell. The captain of a
steam launch demanded $50 day for
the use of his vessel to make a trip up
the Suwanee river, where it was be-
lieved Cottrell was hiding, when $1U a
day would have been big price. "After
Marshal Mitchells release he was rein
stated in office, SO one may safely infer
that the policy of Mayor Cottrell had
been fully endorsed The attorney-gen-
eral has been misinformed in the matter
of our searching dwellings unlawfully.
In every instance | asked permission,
which, am pleased to say, was readily,
if not cheerfully given. l have been re-
ligiously scrupulous on this point, but
the rabble will talk and bluster."
The reports OF Captain Smith, of the
McLane, and J. H. Pinkerton, collector
at Cedar Keys, agree with the report
published. Pinkerton says II had
heard that Cottrell said United States
Attorney STRIPPING would not prosecute
him as they were particular friends, and
must say STRIPPING discouraged my ac-
ton in the matter, and advised me to
wait until Cottrell made further demon
strations and then to take shotgun and
shoot him if he interfered."