New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1868-10-29
sTEEDMAN To BE CLEANED OUT
overall Draws a Revolver.
sTEEDMAN "sUPPREssEso HIM

In and around the City Hall last evening
there was considerable excitement, arising
from the rebellious spirit of Mayor Con-
ways Secretary, and his dispos ion to do
little shooting on his own at:c Int
We copy the report of the affair Fl n the
Picayine:
Shortly before the meeting of the Coun-
Gil an unfortunate difficulty occurred in the
Mayors parlor, which more than once
threatened bloodshed. The history of the
difficulty, which created for time the most
intense excitement in and about the CITY
Solomon, Of our city, prominent member
of the Democratic party, who, in conjunc-
ton with Mayor Conway and General
eral Rousseau in the morning, went into
the Mayors parlor and announced the fact
that General Steedman had been appointed
Chief of Police Of the city Of New Orleans
Mr.. Overall, the Private Secretary of
Mayor Conway, asked who had made the
appointment. Upon Mr.. Salonon's reply
ing that it had been made by the Board of
Police Commissioners, Mr.. Overall stated
that he would have nothing to do with any
man who would consent to hold commits
sion from the negro, Dunn, or words sub
stantialiy to this effect. The discussion be-
came somewhat excited in its character,
several other gentlemen in the room taking
part in it, Mr.. SalOmon contending some
what excltedly that it was the best COM
promise that could be made. On the part
of the Aldermen of the city there were
present in the parlor at the time
Major Thomas F. Fisher and Mr..
Thomas Markey. Both of these gen.
tlemen contended that the city should do
nothing to acknowledge in any way the
authority of the Metropolitan Board. Some
few high words occurred between Major
Fisher and Mr.. Solomon, but the former con-
trolled himself, and afterward took Mr.. Salo-
mon aside and remained in conversation
with him few moments. Major Fisher and
Mr.. Markey then passed out Of the parlor to
attend the meeting of the Council, leaving
only the Mayor, Mr.. Salomon, Mr.. Overall
and one, perhaps two other persons in the
room. Mr.. Overall had not spoken for some
time, but was walking the floor, still excited.
Mr.. Solomon approached the table where the
Mayor was sitting afixing his signature to
some bonds of the city, and addressed the
Mayor again in reference to the appoint
ment. Some few moment after this, while
Mr. Salomon still continued talking to the
Mayor, Mr.. Overall approached and the
discussion between them was reopened
with high words. In reply to a remark
made by Mr.. Solomon, Mr.. Overall stated
that if General Steedman took the position
as Chief of Police with commission from
a negro, that the people would clean him
out Of it.. AT this announcement Mr.. Salo-
mon became very much excited, and made
some remarks TO Mr.. Overall, which caused
the latter to draw his revolver from his
pocket and hold it behind him with his
finger upon the hammer. Whether Mr..
Salomon noticed the pistol or not we can
not say, but in few moments he moved
toward the door, eyclaiming he would re-
port what had been said to General Steed-
man, stating Just then, or shortly before,
that he was one of General Steedmans ap-
pOintees. Mr.. Overall called out to him,
" you can go to h-ll.' At this Mr.. Salo-
mon turned, made some remark, and was
about to enter the room again, when Mr..
Edwin Overall, brother of the Secretary,
who had arrived, pushed him back, saying,
you must not insult my brother" In
the melee which occurred at the door, Mr.
Overall, the Secretary, approached, lev
eled his pistol aud would have shot Mr..
Solomon had he not been suddenly caught
by the Mayor and pushed back in the office.
Mr.. Salomon left the Office, but returned
in few moments, accompanied by General
Steedman and Colonel j. .. Nixon. En-
tering the Office, General Steedman asked
what was the difficulty, and wanted to
know who was going to "clean him out"
The Mayor stated that the difficulty was a
private one between Mr.. Overall and Mr..
Solomon, and that there was no need for
any interference. Mr.. Salomon began talk
ing excitedly, and asked the Mayor if Mr..
Overall had not made use of certain ex-
pressions against General Steedman. At
this juncture Mr.. Overall, who had kept
apart by himself, with his pistol drawn aud
held by his side part of the time approached
suddenly, eXclaiming, "Mr. Solomon, you
and | can settle this in a few moments" +"
at the same instant leveling his pistol.
General Steedman sprang forward
and seized bis arm and said: II am Chief
of Police of this city, and no pistols shall
be drawn where am" Mr.. Overall, who
was pushed back, put up his pistol and
took his seat at his desk. General Steed-
man announced that he intended to pre-
serve peace and order if he had to use
bayonets to do it. Thus ended this untor-
tunate renoontre, and shortly aiterward all
save those belonging to the Mayors office
had retired from the Mayors parlor.
1t would appear from this narrative of
the conversation and events in the Mayors
parlor that the Democracy do OF dwell to-
gether 10 perfect harmony.