Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-12-07

with You at my ofiice witn the OBJECT oil
eilocting the transfer aforesaid.
Respectfully your obedient servant,
II. X. ELLysoS, Mayor.
oHAHoos DID NOT REILLY,
Tyler soon returned with note in
writing from Chahoon to the effect that
he would send definite reply to this de-
mand before noon OF that day. He did
not keep his promise, however. but his
formal letter asserting his own title and
denying Ellyson's and proposing that
the latter should not attempt to exercise
the duties of the Office, but contest by
quo uarranto his (Chahoon's) right 10
do so was published in the Republican
evening paper before it reached Mayor
Ellyson.
IL was grave crisis. Timid men
whose spirit had been crushed by the
prolonged despotism OF reconstruction
and overawed by the military power OF
the United States, apprehensive OF blood
shed and OF n return TO the irresponsible
tyranny OF the soldier, whispered that
the legal Validity OF tho enabling act
was at least questionable and its bad
policy certainly unquestionable, and
counseled abandonment OF the claims Of
our officers holding under il. Rash men
iniiamed by the audAcity Of Chahoon' g
position and pretences, urged an imme-
date attack upon him as violent tres
pssser upon the property OF the city,
But our Mayor was neither tInid nor
rash. lie seemed strongly to feel that
he had no right to give up the cause Of
the people and their resumption OF the
franchises and responsibilities OF free
men. which he conceived 10 be involved in
holding the position no had assumed /;
and yet he adopted every precaution
consistent with the realization OF this
end TO avoid collision and bloodshed.
In order to allay the feverish and pain
ful anxiety Of the people he even pub
lished in his paper. though tho step was
calculated to enhearten and embolden
his opponent, that under no circum-
stances would he authorize actual re-
sistance TO the military forces of the
United States.
He was arrested when he would have
preferred not TO be, andafterwards when
he cOurted arrest in order 10 test by
hQJe0s cOrDus the validity OF Under
woods injunction he could not procure
himself TO be arrested. Speaking of these
matters at the time with his most inti-
mate friends, he said that while he would
not be willing to spend a night in jail
for the Office OF mayor, yet he was will
ing 10 60 there and remain as long as
might be necessary TO vindicato the
rights Of the people Of Richmond.
CoUNTER-PREPARATIoS THE CITY
WAS DIVIDED.
Immediately after receiving Chahoon's
note, evidently designed only TO gain
time, Mayor Ellyson dispatched Captain
Peasants with twenty-five picked men
to take possession Of and hold the City
Hail, which they did. Major Poe says
the number of his special police was af-
forwards increased 10 about three hun
dred and seventy-five, in addition to
which tho Fire Department could.be re-
lied on in an emergency, every officer
and man being faithful and the young
men Of the city, at Mr.. Ellyson's sug-
PesitOn, formed battalion Of which /
was elected commander. We placed our
services at the Mayors disposal and were
on duty from time TO time at the City
Hall and elsewhere.
Nor was Chahoon idle. He established
his headquarters at the Old-Markes sta
ton, swore in special police. most Of
whom were negroes, placed III their
hands the muskets kept at the station
for special emergencies, and made the
negro Ben. Scott commander OF this force,
which was being regularly drilled in the
Old Mar6et Hall. The station was also
barred and bau1caded against sudden as
sault, but he omitted to provision 1t for
a siege.
Mayor Ellyson, who was of course
supported by the overwhelming weight
of the Intelligence, property, and charac-
ter of the city, held the City Hall,
where the Council then met, and his
police we're practically IN possession OF
The city and the streets. Chahoon held
the three police stations in the
First and Second markets and Brook
avenue. but while his police made an
occasional arrest IN the immediate
neighborhood of these stations, he had
practically no jurisdiction at large IN
the city.
Both Mayors. however, maintained
with special punctiliousness every show
and semblance Of authority. Each held
his court. Chahoon in the regular Police
Court room in Old-Narket Hall, Mayor
Ellvson in the City Hall, and both ar
rested, tried, convicted, and imprisoned
offenders against the laws and majesty
OF the city.
THE OPPOSING COUNSEL.
OF course. in this day and land no sane
man nor party nor faction would think
of encountering such crisis without
tho benefit Of legal advice and direction,
and accordingly the first legal talent OF
Richmond was nrreyed on the two sides
in this great contest Mayor Ellysons
counsel we're Judge Meredith, Raleigh
T. Daniel, and James Neeson Cha
hoon's. IL. II. Wills, l.. II. Chandler,
and Henry A. Wise. The general ropu-
tation of most of these distinguished
gentlemen was and is such that no words
can ada to tho popular conception oil
their peculiar powers. Mr.. Neeson was
perhaps least known, outside the com
parativeiy narrow circle Of the bar. and
therefore only 1 take the liberty OF say
ing-what will certainly be nothing new
10 NV older professional brethren-that
in his prime, as,,he then was, bave never
seen in court OF justice an abler, more
imperturbable, or more generally eth-
cient practitioner.
After waiting in vain until nearly l
O'Clock for Chahoon's answer to his formal
demand that the property Of the city be
transferred to him as the lawful Mayor OF
Richmond, Mayor Ellyson dispatch
body Of seventy-fve special police
man. under the command of Major Poe
and Captains Tyler, Fowlkes, and Epps,
who marched down Main street from po-
lice headquarters, at No, l44l, and began
an investment Of Old-Market station
and hall. The operations OF this siege
were for time amuslngly regular and
scientific, though practically very I'M
comfortable TO besieeers as well as be-
sieged. 1t was cold weather and OF
con,se a fire was strictly indispensable