The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1890-06-09
The Collector OF Customs
Driven From His ONCE
and from the Town.
United States Officials Viotimized BY
the Residents and Foiled In
Their Efforts.
A Montana Stockman Murdered b.
Northern Cheyenne Indians
General News.


WAbhtN8FoNs June u
The presidents letter transmitting 10
the senate information about the Cedar
Keys, Fla, matter, details the circnm-
stances already familiar to the public, and
adds: II 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 administration of the
customs laws OF the United States at that
port suspended, by the violent demonsta-
tion and threats of one Cottrell, the mayor
of the place, assisted by bis own marshal,
Mitchell. II has been necessary, and
do think 10 can be so Ia any case,
for United States officer 10 appeal 10
local authorities for immunity from vio-
lence In the exercise of bis duties. The
situation at Cedar Keys did not suggest or
encourage such az appeal. II will always
be agreeable to me Ii local authorities,
acting upon their own sense of duty, main-
tain public order In such way that officers
OF the United States shall have no occasion
TO appeal for the Intervention OF the gen.
eral government, but when this is not
done, shall deem II my duty TO use the
adequate powers vested 10 the executive to
make II safe and feasible to hold and exer-
else the Offices established by the federal
constitution 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. A letter dated Au-
gust 4 last, which appears In the CORE
spondencs submitted, appealing 10 me 20
intervene for the protection OF the city of
Cedar Keys from the brutal violence of
Cottrell, IL will be noticed, was written be-
fore the appointment Of the new collector.
1t Ia very grim commentary upon the
condition Of social order at Cedar Keys
that only woman, who had, az she Gays
In her letter, no son or husband who could
be made victim of has malice, had che
courage 10 file charges against this man who
was then holding q subordinate position
In Ghe customs service.
The report of United States Deputy
Marshal Estrange says be and Capt.
Smytha, OF the revenue cutter McLaan,
were victimixed by the people who foiled
them several times in their efforts TO re-
capture Cottrell. The captain of steam
launch demanded $50 a day for the use of
BITS vessel to make q trip mp the Sunee
river, where IL was believed Cottrell was
hiding, when 80 day would have been
big price. After Marshal MItchell's
release he was reinstated in Office, 30
one may safely infer that the policy
of Mayor Cottrell has been fully in
dorsed. The report says: The attorney
general has been misinformed in the
matter of cur searching dwellings un-
lawfully. In every instance i asked per-
mission, which, am pleased 10 say, was
readily IL not cheorfully given. have
been religiously scrupulous on this point.
But the rabble will talk and buster The
reports of Capt. smythe, Of the McLain.
and j. III. Pinkerton. collector at Cedar
Keys, agree with the report published.
Pinkerton says: Il had heard that Cotlrell
said thar United States Attorney Stripping
would not prosecute him, as they were par
ticular friends. l must say that Stripping
discouraged my action in the matter aud
advised me to wait until Cottrell had made
further demonstration 9, and then TO take a
shotgun and shoot him IL he interfered.'