The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-11-01

Gen. SteedmaB's Resignation accepted
Special Officer Cain Appointed Super
intendent Pro Tenn.
He DECLINES TO vAcATe IN FAVOR OF THE
MAYORS PPOlNfsE.

There was but little stir visible yesterday alb out
the City Hall and Police Station, and the number
of people collected around about had visibly
diminished The fact that the mooted question,
"who e chief," had been thrown into court
appeared to divest it of the interest it had pre-
yiously possessed for the public, and it was the
general impression that, for the time at least,
matters were in allegiance.
But, when the Police Board met at noon it
found itself called to act upon positive resigna
ton rendered by General Steedman. The resg.
nation was accepted, a vote of thanks was ten
dered General steedman, and, without electing
any one TO all the vacancy, the board appointed
special officer Cain to act a. superintsedsstpro
TEN. Mr.. Cain has, during General Steedman's
occupation Of police headquarters, been person
ally in command, and has faithfully and carefully
discharged the onerous duties of the position so
suddenly thrust upon him.
For the Office of superintendent, the names of
several citizens have been suggested by General
Rousseau to the board since General steedman's
resignation was made known, butno further action
than that above stated was taken by them yester
day. s -. -ssa1I Ilsl SSH
The writ issued by Judge Leaumont was served
upon the mayor on Friday evening, and Mr.. Con
ways answer will be presented tomorrow. Be.
fore the writ was served Mr.. Conway had COM
missioned our well known fellow citizen, Robert
Diamond, as chief Of police under the municipal
regime. Accordingly yesterday, at 8 O'Clock p.
NJ, that gentleman, accompanied by two others,
entered police headquarters. and addressing him.
self to Mr.. Cain, made upon the latter formal
demand for the possession of the Office. Mr.. Cain
IL bo A. q
the Metropolitan Police Commissioners, and cons
sequently could not recognize the authcrify,of
Mr.. Diamonds commission. The brief interview
was marked by nothing but courtesy on either
side, and it is now understood that Mr. Diamond
will ask for a writ of quo warranto against the
Metropolitan Police Board tomorrow.
Thus matters remained last evening, Mr.. Cain
being in charge, and receiving reports of quiet
ude existing throughout the city. A formal
demand upon MIR. Mingle, elected superintendent
of the fire-alarm telegraph by the council on
Wednesday, was made yesterday afternoon by
Mr.. Samuel Weeks, who claims 10 still hold the
position under authority from the Metropolitan
Police Board. Mr.. Mingle declined to vacate,
and Mr.. Weeks Withdrew. ol&- to
Men were being sworn in all day yesterday,
and the force now is nearly upto its full compile
ment- 575 men one-third of whom are on duty
in the daytime, the balance at night. From day
light to dark yesterday but three arrests were
recorded at the main station. gfa a1ffai5 -.sf
The following is the petition filed by the Police
Board against Mayor Conway eeue
To,hs Honorable Judge Of the Fih District of New
Orleans: a- = z.is-.-.. .ss...,.lsf r
The petition Of o. J. Dunn, president Of the
Metropolitan Police Board, and OF VIM. McDuf, J.
N. Bertrand, George Thomas R. Isabelle. : Ray.
nal, commissioners of metropolitan police, in aud
for the parishes of Orleans Jefferson and St. Ber-
lard, with due respect, represent:
That by an act Of the Legislature of the State of
Louisiana, approved Sept. H. 1865, all power over
the subject of equipping, organizing commission
ing, controlling and enforcing police authority in
said district, is vested in, and it is made the duty
Of said board by said act of the Legislature afore
said, to preserve the peace and enforce the law
and police authority in said district.
That John X. Conway, mayor of the city of New
Orleans, your said board is informed and verify
believes is about commissioning and organizing
police force in the city of New Orleans. in vic.
lation of law. That John r. Conway, mayor of
the city of New Orleans, in assuming to act in
commissioning and organizing said police force
by virtue of an ordinance Of the City Council of
the city of New Orleans which your petitioners
the Board of Metropolitan Police. are informed
and verify believe the said John r. Conway, mayor
of the city of New Orleans has signed in his Off
press law, is revolutionary and dangerous to the
peace of the city OF New Orleans. OF
That if the said John r. Conway, mayor of the
city of New Orleans, persists in Commissioning
police force In and for the city OF New Orleans,
the effect of 1t will be to create conflict between
The police force now on duty under the law and
said force commissioned by the mayor aforesaid,
which can result in nothing but riot, anarchy and
boodshed.
Wherefore, the premises considered, your Pc
tftioDers, the Board of Metrop' Titan Police in and
for the parishes of Orleans, Jefferson and ST. Ber-
nard pray that a writ of injunction issue from
your honorable court, prohibiting and restraining
said John r. Conway, mayor of the city of New
Orleans, from commissioning. swearing or order.
ing on police duty any person or persons in said
city OF New Orleans.
Your commissioners, made by law the special
conservators Of the peace In said district, and
having the exclusive control aud authority of the
police force OF the city of New Orleans, pray for
all such further orders and DEGREES in the premi.
ses the Dature Of the case may require, and for
fill and general relief.
.,f- --. SIMEON BELDES,
Attorney General State OF Louisiana.
J. HAWKINS,
Attornev for Metropolitan Board of Police