Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1857-06-24
police troubles in New York.

The angry contest arising out of two distinct
police organizations in New York City, resulted
in desperate fight between the parties on the
10th. The City, it will be recollected, is largely
Democratic, and the Republican Legislature IN
dertook to takethe appointment and control ofthe
police from the hands of themunicipal authorities
The Police Commissioners appointed by the
Governor under the act of the Legislature pro-
ceeded to organize new police force, Mayor
Wood in the meanwhile keeping up his stand
ing army and refusing to surrender. On the
18th Mr.. Conover, Street Commissioner appoint
ed by the State, attempted to take possession OF
tbe Street Commissioners office and was repeat
edy elected by the Mayors party. Conover
then obtained warrant to have Mayor Wood
arrested on the charge of assault and battery,
but the Mayor, surrounded by his men, refused
to acknowledge the authority of the officers who
successfully came to execute the process. FL
nally large force of the new police was mus
tered to capture him. Fifty were sent down
first, and they were followed soon by de-
tachment of one hundred and subsequently by
one of ffty-eight. This little army halted a.
while at the corner of Centre and Chambers Sts
as if hesitating, whether to go on or back out
They finally marched into the Park, surrounded
and followed by an immense throng hooted
and leered at them and by all sorts OF eplthets
manifested their hatred of the Albany Regency
When the Metropolitans (or State>police) at
tempted to enter the Hall, they were met by
the Municipals Mayors police,) and desperate
fight ensued. The ,Metropolitans were at last
driven off, many of them with cracked skulls,
and the municipals resumed possession OF the
building. After the difficulty was over, Coro-
ner Perry called upon the Mayor for the purpose
of serving the civil process npon him, "a Coro-
ner being the only officer who can arrest the
Mayor and the Sheriff) The Coroner was po-
litely received, fulfilled his mission and accept
ed recognizance in the sum of $4,000 for the
appearance of the Mayor before Judge Hoffman
as required by the writ.
In the midst of the excitement the Seventh
Regiment, which was about starting to Boston,
was marched into the Park and kept there un-
der arms for some time. Throughout the 18th
Wednesday, the Park was crowded in expecta-
tion of another conflict, but there was no fur
tber disturbance, the Mayor having, as stated,
submitted to arrest The City hall was held by
the Municipals, and troops were under arms at
their armories, ready to act at any moment
The Herald of Friday says the conflict, as far
as regards any exhibition Of physical force, is at
an end. Quiet prevailed on Thursday. The
contest will henceforth be carried on by the
lawyers, and from all appearances they will
have busy time. A score or two OF warrants
for the arrest OF the policemen engaged in Tues,
davis fight have been issued and it is understood
that Governor King has concluded to direct the
holding of a special term of the Court Of Oyer
and Terminer early in July for the trial OF the
cases. Mayor Wood is cited to answer tor con-
tempt there are also quite number OF plots
and counterplots on foot, all tending to promote
litigation in some shape or other. The board OF
Aldermen ON Thursday evening resolved to de-
fend the Mayor in the suits brought against him,
and moreover decided to remain in permanent
session until the excitement is over. The spe-
cial officers sworn in by the Metropolitan Com
missioners have been disbanded, and it is under
stood that no further attempt will be made by
the Board to serve process upon the Mayor.