Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1857-06-26
Tho PnIice WnI In New York

of the Police laws enacted Tor
The City of New York by the last Legisla-
ture of that State, but the state of things
at present reigning in that city is matter
Of national interest.
On Tuesday last the surprising spectacle
was seen of large bodies of soldiers, called
out to aid the civil authority in arresting
the Mayor of the city, for melting a riot,
and for forcibly resisting tho execution of
the laws.
Our readers are aware probably that the
Legislature of New York passed a law, by
which the appointment and control of the
Police of the city was taken from the May.
Or who had made most INSCRIPTIONS and
corrupt use of his power, aud placed in the
hands ola Board of Commissioners appoint
ed by the Governor. The execution of this
law has been resisted in every way by Mr..
Wood, sustained by the Council and the
Buchanan party of the city, on the score
that he believes the law to be unconstitu-
tional At last the conflict between the
State and city authorities reached extrcmi.
ties. On Monday a new Street Commits
sioner, appointed by Gov. King, was elected
from his Office by Mayor Woods orders. An
order for the Mayors arrest was issued by
Judge Hoffman, and the officer who under
took to serve the warrant was provided
with so of the newly appointed Metropoli-
tan Police to sustain his authority. Their
reception at the City Hall in the attempt 20
perform their duty is thus related by the
". Y. Times.
At three o'clock the Park was thronged
The City Hall was filled with Mayor Woods
Police, fully equipped, who had been sum-
moned from all the Districts. There was a
| terrible commotion. The crowd ran wildly
| towards Chambersstreet. shouting, Here
they come pitch into the sons of b--h's'.
The Irish brogue was very common. From
the vicinity of the Court of Sessions build
ing or new City Hall, came steadily on the
Metropolitan Policemen, They we're closely
pressed by the throng, who hooted and hal
looed and cheered for Fernando Wood,
Lieut.. Jacob L. Sebring, of the Ninth
Ward, who had command, led the advance
ing force. They marched steadily on, reach
ing the steps leading to the rear entrance of
the Hall. There the crowd behaved most
irantically, and made rush towards the
Metropolitan men, but they were quickly
repelled Lieut.. Sebring, after moment 8
halt, proceeded to ascend the steps. The
old Police under Captain Wines resisted -
A great many fighting men (not policemen
from the Fourth and other Wards, rushed
to the attack Alderman Wilson of the
First Ward was in the midst of the ARRAY
with his official baton in hand. Clubs were
drawn and freely used. Many of the
'roughs' drew from beneath their coats
huge sticks and various other weapons and
going in the fight charged upon the Metro.
politan men, who fought with great deter
mination. Many on both sides were feled
to the ground, and blood spirited high from
the wounds of the combatants At length
overwhelmed by the superior numbers o.
their opponents, the Metropolitan Polcegavc
way, for moment, but 1t was only for
moment. They again formed and again cs
sayed to mount the steps and take the en-
trance by storm, and for a time it seemed
as though they would succeed. The seen,
was terrible one; blows upon naked head
fell thick and fast, and men rolled helpless
down the steps, to be leaped upon and bea
ten till life seemed extinct. Still the small
Metropolitan force pressed on firmly against
the overwhelming odds, until attacked il
the rear by Il large number of outsiders
they were forced to split and retreat. Thu
Metropolitan men were attacked separated
by Woods men in uniform and without
knocked to the ground and kicked about tn
head again and again, amidst terrible exc
cratons and cheers in broken English, fo
Fernando w God, and our side and lou,
, cries of Down with the Black Republicans.
,, At length all the manned men were gather
l Oh M ny thni- os..-r~.io"o a"L carried ava
9 Loud shouts were then repeated b,
| the maddened crowd, who pursued anc
e beat any and all whom they suspected of be
. ing Metropolitan officer
| Lieut.. Sebring, who escaped uniniured
marched his men, supporting their wounde
ones or carrying them in their arms bac
to Chambers street, in front of the Recorder
Office.
G That many men were not killed outrigh
is wonderful. The clubs used in the tigh
were the heaviest day clubs. and all tn
; blows given by them were upon the head.
| 1t was almost impossible to ascertain wit
\ accuracy the number of the wounded.
t 1t is certain, however, that about twent
5 suffered more or less, three of them fatal
II Is feared.
| At this juncture Mayor-General Sanfor
acceueu 10 tHe re4ulsltlon OF coroner Ferry
and ordered the National Guard who, fol-
3 tunatcly, at the moment were passing dow
l Broadway, to embark on trip to the grea
Bunker Hill celebration at Boston, to dra,
up in front of the City Hall. After thi
there was no more riotilg. The arrest q
the Mayor was effected at last, by the aid c
|, the Sheriff The Mayor was held clos
prisoner all night On third warrant, May
or Wood was to appear before Recorde
t Smith yesterday morning-fve regiments c
the militia being detailed to enforce his al
tendance
The result OF all was the restoration c
order, and the supremacy of the Stat
:, authority; but affairs are in a very delicat
. position in the city, The excitement
: declared to be higher than has been know
= there since the Astor place Riot.
4 MORE ToRNADos Saturday the 18th wa
> q notable day for storms. We have note
! the terrible tornidoes which occurred i
New York State. On the same day,