The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-11-27
THE RIOTS IN NEW ORLEANS.

LIE MUD LIN NEW OEsA1AN0.
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Report of the Louisiana Commander to Gen.
eral Grnnt-Back History of the Louisiana
Election-How the Pence Was Endangered,
How 1t Was Preserved and Why tIlo Negro cs
Did Not Vote.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 25, $685.
General Lowell II. Rousseau, commanding the De-
partment Of Louisiana and Arkansas, has made an
elaborate report to General Grant, referring point
edly to the events which preceded and accompanied
the late peculiar election In Louisiana and to the at
tacks which portion Of the radical press have made
upon his administration on account or the light re-
publican vote cast. The main portions OF the report
are as follows:--
On assuming command OF this Department had
to encounter difficulties or Ordinary character.
The excitement OF Presidential election, at al times
great was supplemented In Louisiana by other dis
turbIng elements OF local nature. From struggle
OF opposing parties the campaign had been virtually
converted by causes into which ills not my province
TO enter into struggle OF opposing races. The
great majority Of the colored population were
ranged on one side; the, majority Of the
white population ranged themselves on the
other side. Both whites and blacks had organized
into secret political clubs, seni-military in their
each COMPANY. The coored clubs habituaily drilled;
the white clubs did not, because with the majority
IN ts% s wew
exciting character and the receipt OF more or less
distorted report Of disturbances in various sections
OF the State added additional complications to the
With oil these difficulties to contend avainst, /
found myself charged with extended responsibilities
and armed with very slender power. Civil govern
ment having been restored In the state the authority
OF the military was necessarily limited The force
at my command, moreover was exceedingly
small. Until the receipt OF reiniorcements,
from General Gem the entire number OF
troops az my disposal in and around the city OF
New Orleans was only 463 men. After the receipt
OF the reiniorcements from Mississippi had but $50
then sufficient force to patrol the ciry and leave
respectable reserve behind. The records OF the de-
partment will show how urgen ly and repeatedly
telegraphed for definite instructions on the rccur-
renee OF each fresh emergency. and my own official
acts viii prove how earnestly strove TO maintain
che public peace, whilst pres arving rs became an
orcer OF the United States army The strctest I'm
partially and freedom from pc itica bias. TO have
acted as partisan either side would have sim
pded my position immensely; but to watch and
control as far possible both sides AMI to pre-
way the result p' Of the election was task Of no
little Difficulty and danger.
The police troubles formed the most dangerous
feature In the condition OF arairs In New Orleans.
An act OF the Legislature recently passed trans
erred the control OF the police force OF the city
from the Mayor and Corporation In whose hands it
had hitherto been vested Into the hanns OF Metro
politan Police Board composed OF six members,
three white and three coIored the Lieutenant Gov
ernor Of the state presiding. This board appointed
police force Of 243 negroes and $50 white men to
munity at large refused to recognize uphold the
authority OF body thus constituted. This
any question of motive or justification and
without more than referring to the generally IN
ferior material, both white and black with some
lected-thls fact alone rendered the Metropolitan
Police oruanized practically worthless, and placed
life and property at the mercy OF the worst classes
in the city Al the slightest appearance Of disorder
the members Of this police unsupported as they
were BY public sentiment stampeded, many OF them
throwing of their uniforms as they ran. Armed
patrols OF citizens then took upon themselves the
guardianship Of the public peace peace aiding another
| another time this question might have been
left to settle tse but In the presence OF threatened
State had surrendered the safe Keeping Of the city to
me, and when positive directions had been transmit
ted to me through the War Department to preserve
the peace mt all hazards, should have fallen short
OF my duty had neglected to take prompt and de-
cisive action tho matter. As before stated had
| not troops enough to police the city, even had
| deemed II consistent with my duties as military
commander To undertake the charge. res0rted to
measures OF compromise and concilaon IA the best
+! and wisest mode OF attaining the objects mad In
now THAT TROUBLE ENDED
At nav instance the Board OF Metropolitan Police
! appointed General James B. Stecdnian Chief OF
| Police and brought the influence OF his name and
position TO e s 2; n sts cv aonr m @ "a
| tended more 10 settle matters than any one thing
done, and think u only an act OF justice hire 70
Board nave themselves done by formal resolution
| for the manly aud efilcent manner In which ne
sumed aud discharged the duties OF that oIilce up to
| the end or the troubles
| The mayor ana corporation or the city declaring
the Metropolitan Police act unconstitutional Insisted
upon their right 10 appoint their own chief anu po-
| uceinen They commissioned Mr. Thomas Adams, q
former occupant Of the Office under the mayoralty OF
Mr. Monroe to the post Of chief OF police. IL was
| further announced that the Metropolitan police were
TO be forciOy elected from the office by the appotcs
| Of the mayor. ! Immediately sent word 10 Mayor
| CONWAY by my aid-decainp, Major Russell that 1
should hold him responsible for any tuinut that
might result from his action aud advising him to
In requesting General StccdnSn TO act chief
OF police until after tho election and to order the
chief appointed by him to take no step until further
instructed Ills Honor at once acceded TO my Wishes
then advised both parties to test the legality Of the
Metropolitan Police bill peaceaby in the law courts
| and wrsts of Injunction and quo warranto have
since been taken out In pursuance OF this advice
also invited tho editors OF the local ne wspapers,
without distinction OF party, to meet ne ~ my pri-
vate residence aud discuss this same matter, which
they did. We talked the subject over IN friendly
| manner, aud believe all left with the intention OF
cuunselling the people TO await the acton OF the
courts. AT any rate this WAS done, the papers all
taking moderate view OF the question aftcrw afds;
| and this was the end of the police troubles
THE RIOT EXCITEMENT.
Concidcut with the police imbrogl'o there were
i other causes OF public tneasness. From the parish
/ OF 81. BERNARD reports OF highly innammatory
nature were received. white democratic club In
That parish had killed negro. Some citizen had
| shot a metropolitan policeman. The negroes AS
i sembed at night, burned the house OF y leading
white democrat and hs bodv with ~, drove has wife