The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1893-06-29
OFF GOES HIS HEAD
The Collector Of Customs al Portland
Summlrily Bounced
LET THE CHINESE CONE IN
Lotan Reported to Have Acted In
Utter Disregard OF the Law and
of Special Instructions
From Washington.

WASHINGTON, June 2S.-The president
this morning summary removed from
office Mr.. Loian, collector of customs at
Portland, Oregon. This unusual action
was taken on receipt this morning of q
telegram from the special agents Of tho
treasury department who have been en-
gagged somc time in investigating fraudu-
lent practices prevailing in the Puget
Sound and Portland district. The telc-
gram stated that they had Information OF
the intended landing al Portland Of
large number of Chinese coolies. Loian
was summary dismissed. His deputy
was placed In charge and will continue to
act until Black, tho new collector. quail
ifies.
On June Is Collector Lotan. in disre-
gard of official instructions from the
treasury department, landed from the
steamer Danube about $50 Chinese claim
ing 10 be merchants, but who are de-
scrlbcd in the Official repor, to the depart
ment as n sca!y and uncouth appearing
lot OF coolies. Chinese coolies are now
expected on hoard the steamship Haytien
Republic en- route to port, aud IL Ia be-
lieved by the treasury department il Col
lccior Lo,an had been left in Office he
would land them without regard to law, as
done in the case Of the Danube.
As far back as March Collector Lotan
was instructed 10y Assistant Secretary
Spaulding as follows: "It has been as
certained that many Chinese enter tho
United States upon fraudulent papers
certifying them tn he returning m"r-
chants. You will hereafter disregard such
papers and refuse entry unless il is proved
TO your satisfaction that the persons pre-
sen,ing them have the right To land"
Since that many hundred Chinese have
been landed at Portland upon bogus aiii-
| daviis and certificates.
PORTLAND, Ore. June 2s.- The news
from Washington this afternoon that tho
president had summarilv dismissed Col
lector of Customs James Lotan and placed
Deputy Collector Pike IN charge Of the
Office was n genuine surprise. inasmuch as
Loian's successor had been named and
will probably qualify Saturday next.
| When seen this afternoon regarding his
removal. Collector Lotan said: 81 have
just received dispatch from the dcpart-
ment at Washington instructing me to
turn over tho collectors Office TO Deputy
Pike. have done SO and he is now in
charge. think this whole affair is at the
insti tiga,ion OF special agent Of the treas.
ury, who was sent 10 this coast to work ur
trouble for this Office. Mr.. Cleveland has
stated he wonld remove no republican en-
cept for cause. The fact Of the matter Is
they had no cause, and consequently had
TO find cause. In view of the fact that
on July will step out, IL seems as II
might have been allowed 10 retire in
proper FORM
| Private information from Washington
states that warrants will soon be issued
for the arrest Of number of customs Of.
ficers and certain ndividuals who have
been connected with smuggling ring. II
is settled that Secretary Carlisle has an.
nounced his intention of making n vigor
ons prosecution and will b" actively sec
onded by Attorney General Olney.
Tho steamship Haytien Republic was
seized to-day, presumably by order oi
Special Treasury Agent Wood. Nothing
| is known of the arrest at the United
States Inarsbars Office bu, complaint will
probably he filed with tho clerk Of th.
United States court tonight or Tomorrow
| The ground for seizur. is not known. b,,
il is said that tho trouble Is the old charge
of smuggling opium aud Chinese.