The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-09-16
THE POLICE AND TIE PAY ROLLS.
THE FORE RENDEZVOUS IN LAFAYETTE s,uaaE.
They visit the Mayor and the Governor.

police force and their families have been, for the
most part, reduced to circumstances of the ut
most destitution by the non-payment OF the sala-
ries due them by the city, is a fact which has been
frequently adverted to and deplored. That men
who, by night by day, in all weathers and under
all circumstances, are compelled to pace the side
walks for living, and when occasion mar re.
quire too to expose life and limb in defense Of
the public peace, should, through any cause, fail
to receive their wen earned wages, and be COM
PEELED to find hungry families awaiting them at
home after their toilsome watch is over is cer-
tainly sad contem plstion enough. We are in.
formed that the last pay rolls regularly paid were
those for the month of February, although some
members of the force have since, at their own op-
ton, been paid for one or two months services in
city notes.
OF late the needy circumstances. induced by the
non-receipt of salary, has created strong feeling
among the members Of the force, who from their
landlords giving them notice to vacste, and their
grocers refusing longer to credit them with food
for those dependent upon them. Yesterday one
of their number, killed while discharging his duty
nobly and like true man, was buried by the
charity of his friends, leaving weeping, helpless
family behind him. In view Of these facts people
were not so greatly surprised when, yesterday
morning, the Second District force, numbering
one hundred and thirty men, ofieered by their
sergeants and corporals, marched in an orderly
manner to Lafayette Square, where they were
afterwards joined by their comrades from the
First, Third and Fourth Districts, swelling the
force to between three and four hundred strong.
Everything was conducted in the quietest man.
ner. but the excitement among the outside public
ran high. and rumors were rife as to the inten-
tions of the malcontents, one of which was that
their intention was to sack the city treasury.
But these doubts were somewhat relieved when
a delegation of twenty policemen, deputed by
the force to wait upon the mayor, entered the
City Hail. headed by the chief and his lieutenants,
and quietly asked of Mayor Conway the result OF
the meeting Of prominent fnanciers which was
to have been previously held. His honor replied,
giving statement of the city's financial condi-
ton, but was unable, of course to administer any
substantial assurances Of comfort to his hearers.
Treasurer Mount also spoke, stating that he
would, later in the day, bring before a meeting of
leading citizens, summoned to take action in the
premises. a plan which would place him in funds
wherewth to meet the present exigency. Officer
Boyd of the police force, replied severely criti-
cisiDg the action of the council during the past
twelve months, and limiting that should no action
for relief be taken by Monday, the police would
take possession OF the City Hall.
The interview terminated With the understand.
ing that positive decision should be arrived at
by next Monday noon, whereupon the force with
drew, and proceeded in body to the governors
Office at Mechanics Institute. His excelency
received the entire body in his parlor and the ad
jaeent Office, and having listened to their grev-
ances, spoke in reply. We were not present dur
ing this interview, but learned from reliable
source that the governor in effect, promised vigor-
Gus action, and, under certain conditions the in
PRODUCTION into the Legislature ofa bill placing in
the hands of the Metropolitan Police Board the
payment of all unpaid arrears. This was the gist
of his remarks ard thereupon the auditors de-
parted, dispensing TO their respective Districts.
The following Communication was addressed to
the council last evening by Mayor Conway in
reference to the days occurrence. Other action
taken by the Board of Assistant Aldermen cen
surIDg the chief of police and relative to provid
ing funds at once will be found fully reported in
our accound Of the proceedings of the council.
The following is the mayors letter:
"MAYoRALTY OF NEW ORLEASs,l
"City Hall, Sept. Is, 1865. (
"TO the Honorable Common Council:
:" Genaemen-It becomes my duty, as mayor of
the city of New Orleans, to call your special at
tention TO the fact that Major Williamson, chief Of
police, allowed to-day, as you are aware, the po-
lice 10 leave their posts as guardians of the life,
limb and property of the people of the city, and
gather for hours around the City Hall, to demand
payment for past services. Not only Vas this
connived at by the chief of police, but he volun.
tarily headed delegation who came into my par
lor at the City Hail. while great crowd Of the
police awaited the action of said delegation out
side the building. Nor this alone; the chief
quietly stood by and acquiesced by his silence in
ton that the police intended to seize the City
Hall and prevent any business being transacted
by the elected officials until paid. Ii is due to
the dignity Of the city government that the chief
of police should be publicly censufed for his dis.
position to second breach Of the peace.
Now, so far as the police force are concerned,
deeply sympathize with their unfortunate con.
dition. Had it not been for ex Mayor Heath and
tho brokers, the finances OF the city would now
be in healthy condition. | need not recapitulate
the events of the past, known as "the Sheridan
era," for everyone is familiar with them. Ii is
enough TO say that the grossest tmsIadministration
Of city affairs, during the Heath administration,
has reduced US TO the direst extremity. In view
Of this is the settled plan Of the enemies of the
present administration, who trade in politics as in
merchandise, to break down, and il that cannot
be done by mobocratic influence, to destroy the
present administration. -i 1
DESTROYS of doing everything in my power to
pay the police force, respectfully recommend
that joint resolution be passed authorizing that
the said police and other employees of the city be
paid in greeDbacks or their equivalent in city
money. II greenbacks cannot be raised, then
advise that the treasurer be authorized to pay the
above liabilities in city money, allowing the dis
count or difference between city money and U. 8.
treasury notes.
81 deeply sympsthize with the sufferings Of the
police, many Of whom are not able to purchase
The necessaries of life for their families. | am
anxious they should be paid as speedily as pos
sible, and when this is done we can have abun.
dance of leisure to look abont us and see what is
best TO be done for the further interest of the
city. Very respectfully,
"JNo. p. CONWAY, Mayor"
Between three and four O'Clock yesterday after
noon, Mr.. Strauss an exchange broker who
keeps an Office on st. Charles street. opposite the
Crescent Hail. while standing behind his counter
was suddenly assaied by an individual calling
himself police officer, who. pointing q revolver
at his head, demanded in q peremptory manner
that he should Immediately Withdraw from his
show window the city notes exposed for sale
therein. accompanying his demand with violent
expressions of dissatisfaction at the condition of
the city currency, which he attributed 70 the
speculations of the brokers, and declaring also
that there were two hundred other officers who
were ready TO assist him in cutting that or any
other establishment which undertook to traffic in
city notes. The scene was quite exciting and
soon gathered a crowd in the neighborhood, who
far from discountenancing the act were on the
contrary free to express their appreciation Of
the officers conduct.
Mr.. Strauss having complied with the demand
made upon him in such determined manner, the
sol dlSdnt policeman left after voluntarily giving
hls number in writing to the proprietor Of the es-
tablisbment. We forbear giving the number, IN
compassion for the man who said that he and his
children at home were literally starving, because
the city had not met its engagements in paying
the police its lust dues and who did not expect