The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-05-09
THE CHINESE CASES.
Three Merchants Taken From
the Victoria at Tacoma.
ON wRiTs OF HAeEAs CORPUS.
Judge Hanford Orders Issue Of Writs
and Will Hear Cases In Taeoma
ON His Return.

TACOMA, May 9-[special. AT 1:3o
O'Clock this morning Jailer Duval. Sheriff
Matthews deputy at the county Jail. went
aboard the steamer Victoria armed with
habeas corpus papers for the bodies Of
You Wah, Wah Nj and Moy
Chung. alleged Portland Chinese mer-
chants. whom Moy Yuck. q merchant Of
this city. made afiidavits had been in that
city from eight to twelve years. Collector
WATSON ordered them deported this after.
noon and in his affidavit to his attorneys,
Smell & Johnson, Moy Yuck said the three
Cinnamon had been duped into buying
forged certificates at Hongkong at
$50 each. They were told that
Moy Yuck swore that they could not
get ashore in the United States without
them, etc. 1t was thought there would be
some trouble with the customs officials in
landing the Cinnamon, as the habeas cor
pus papers were issued by Judge Pritch-
ard. of the superior court of
this county. The court went to
Smell & Johnson's Office tonight and
while it had some doubts about jurisdic-
ton. it issued the orders and cautioned
those having the execution Of the same
not to become involved in trouble
with United States officials. Deputy
Collector Bradford. who was in
charge at the gang plank, also hesitated,
but on being assured that the state
court could make such an order provided
the steamer was tied up, he allowed the
three Chnaman and their baggage to go
ashore at 2 a. m. They were placed
in the county Jail at once, and Capt.
Panton. of the Victoria. and his officers
will tomorrow be served with habeas
corpus proceedings for the bodies Of four
teen merchants, Judge Hanford having by
wire from WalIa WaIla ordered it, making
ing the writs returnable May Is, when he
will be here.
Once the Cinnamon are ashore the
steamship will feel relieved OF all the re-
sponsibiiity and care of them. They would
like to see landed sixty-one more mer-
chants. who will have to be deported on
Collector Wasson's orders, unless
there arc more habeas corpus pro-
ceedings. OF las alleged merchants
WATSON ordered % deported and admitted
81. He also ordered that all the actors.
2l5. be deported. but the steamship has
been delayed twenty-four hours to permit
further proof on behalf Of the actors to be
presented, and it 10 believed that the act
ors will never 60 back.
Collector WATSON says the state officials
have no authority whatever to take China.
men ashore and that the captain of the
Victoria may be liable to . $500 fine for
each Chinaman allowed to land without q
permit from the government officialA He
said:
II they can land three Cinnamon. then they
can land the entire batch. But Judge Pritchard
10 wrong I am confident OF it You could Just
- we'll take Chiuaman from China a. from
aboard that ship
The customs officers seem to think It is
an unusual proceeding. The Cinnamon
once ashore. it will be an uphill fight to
return them. This move was taken to-
night because it was thought the
Victoria would sail at o'clock this
morning (Tuesdayl IF Deputy Brad.
ford had resisted. there would no
doubt have been q scene if not a scrim.
mage to land the Cinnamon. The United
States district attorney will be notified to-
morrow by wire of the interference OF
state courts. and the action will be tested.