New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1868-10-29
GENERAL sTEEDMAN IN OFFICE.
Official Action and Publication.
ARMED PATROLS PROHIBITED.

Yesterday afternoon shortly after the Re-
PUBLICAN had gone to press, it was made
known that General J. B. Steedman had
been appointed Superintendent of the Net
ropolitan Police in place of Major William
son removed.
This is the official report of the action of
the Metropolitan Police Comissioners in
dismissing Major Williamson:
! OFFICE BOARD METROPOLITAN
| Police CoMMIs sIoNERs,
New Orleans La, October g. 1863
j.. Williamson, Superintendent Metropolitan Po.
SRI have the honor to inform you that
at meeting Of this Board, held this day,
the following resolution was adopted:
That charges having been preferred
against J. ]. Williamson, Superintendent of
Police, of insubordination, and ne having
pleaded guilty to the charges he is hereby
dismissed from the force, and James B.
Steedman is appointed to fill the vacancy,
pro tenn.
By order of the Board.
G. D. LUDEKE, Chief Clerk.
A copy Of the same resolution was also
forwarded to General Steedman, who, at
four o'clock, appeared before the Board.
and having qualified, took possession of
the superintendent office. He then sum.
moned Captains Robinson, Schreiber, and
Bradley, and having issued his instructions,
left the office under control of Special
Officer George L. Cain for the night.
General Steedu1an said that such of the
force as did their duty faithfully would be
sustained by him, but that those who neg
lected their duty or failed in the slightest
particular would be summarily dealt with.
He was determined to preserve order and
protect the lives and property of the citi-
zens; that if it became necessary he would
use the entire military to secure that end.
The Council, which held an adjourned
meeting at five o'clock, passed the follow
ing joint resolutions:
Resolced That in view of the illegality
and unconstitutionality of the statute
of 1868, approved September II, and
| entitled AN act to establish a Metro
politan Police District" etc., and ,of the
utter incapscity of the police organized un.
| der that bill to maintain order and suppress
disorders in the community that the Mayor
| be instructed and authorized to organize a
| police under and in conformity with the
laws and ordinances existing prior to the
| enactment of the said act, approved Septem.
| Der IA, entitled as aforesaid.
ReSOlued, That the Mayor be further au-
thorized, in case the said police force thus
| organized by him prove inadequate to main.
tain order, to appoint and organize a suff$
cient number of extra policemen to act in
conjunction with the regular police.
The Crescent states that under this
authority the Mayor also appointed Gene
raj Steedman Chief of Police, but that his
action does not appear to have been recog-
nized by General Rousseau, whose procla-
nation was issued about the time the
Council adjourned:
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF LOUISIANA,
STATES OF LOUISIANA AND ARKANSAS,
New Orleans, La, October 2s. ls6s
To the People of New Orleans Louisiana:
FELLOw-CTIzENs-I have received in
structions from the authorities at Washing
ton Ito take such action as may be neces-
sary to preserve peace and good order, and
to protect the lives and property Of cit-
zens."
As the city is quiet to-day think it
ment, and to call upon all law-abiding citi-
zens to aid me hereafter in carving out
these instructions, and to that end they are
earnestly requested to refrain from assem-
bling in large bodies on the streets-to
avoid exciting conversation, and other
causes of irritation and excitement and to
pursue their ordinary avocations as usual.
The police force of the city has been re-
organized and the inefficient members have
been dropped from the rolls and others ap-
pointed in their places. General j. B.
Steedman is appointed Chief of Police pro
te r. by the Board of Police Commissioners.
General Steedman and his police force will
be supported by the military, and assurance
is given alike to the peaceful and the law
less that everything at my command and to
the utmost of my ability will be used in
the endeavor to obey these instructions.
For the present political professions
and patroling the streets by armed men are
prohibited.
LOWELL II. ROUSSEAU,
Brevet Major General U. S. A., Command
ing Department.
Last evening General Steedman issued
the following orders:
To ali Precincts:
The undersigned having been ap-
pointed to the office of Super
intendent of Metropolitan Police, hereby
assumes command of the same and author
izes and directs that Captain George L.
Cain, Metropolitan Police, will issue all
necessary orders in his name. All existing
orders will remain in force, and all officers
and men on duty as heretofore, unless
otherwise ordered
JAMES B. STEEMAN,
Superintendent Metropolitan Police.
| To all Precincts:
For this "wednesday night the streets
will be protected by Deputy Sheriffs, who
are armed and wearing badges They will
work in conjunction with the police. In
case your men require assistance they will
call on these Deputy Sheriffs, and if called
on by them assistance will be furnished in
the execution of their duties. All other
bodies of armed men win be dispersed. in
accordance with General Rousseau's or
ders. JAMES B. STEEDMAN.
Supperintent Metropolitan Police.
J. o. Nixon, Secretary, per Hitch.
Another misfortune has coma unon Say.