New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-10-19
sTEAmBOATMEN n CoNCLAvE.

|
mott & Adams, Commercial alley. Mr.. Har-
low j. Phelps called the meeting to order,
stating that something must be done in re-
gard to the strike of the longshoremen last
Thursday. He thought that recourse might
be had to the following law, act No. 1913,
approved March, 1858:
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of
representatives, etc, That any person or
persons who may by violence or threats, or
IN any manner intimidate and prevent
another from shipping upon any steamboat
within this State, or who shall thus inter
fere with or prevent any person who IS one
OF crew of a steamboat from discharglng
his or her duty, or unlaWfully interfere
with any laborer who may be taking cargo
aboard or discharging cargo from steam
boat within the State Of Louisiana, shall be
deemed guilty of a misdemeanOr, and upon
conviction before any Justice of the peace
OF this State, or recorder of the city of New
Orleans, be fined not less than S20 and
costs, and imprisonment not less than
| twenty days in the parish jail
Mr.. Phelps said that decisive action
should be taken Immediately, and that
| steamboatmen should make common cause
in this instance
Captain Haeberle considered that as no
programme had been laid out the meeting
should adjourn until evening for the pur-
pose of making consultations and arriving
at some definite plan.
Mr. e. Conery offered motion to appoint
a committee Of five, whose duties should be
| to prepare suggestions for action, to report
| at the next meeting.
Captain Burdeau responded to the sug-
| gestion of Captain Kouns to appoint a
committee to wait on the Mayor, by saying
that he thought an appeal to the Mayor
would be of no avail. He thought that both
parties were counting the favor of the col
ored men, and it would be difficult to obtain
any redress in that direction. He was in
| favor Of Mr.. Conery's motion.
A suggestion was made that an imme-
diate demand ought to be made for protec
ton to the Chief of Police, and if it were
not afforded. the responsibility could then
be fixed
Captain Brown, of the W. S. Pike, stated
that although he has packet regularly ply
ing in the coast trade, carrying the mails,
he will combine with other boats to resist
the demand for four dollars day, provided
the merchants will consent to bear them
out.
He would consent to allow his boats
cargo to remain on board month, in com
mon with others, to resist the unjust de
mands made. Alone, he Of course could do
nothing but if all the boats would consent,
he would 60 into it.
He amended Mr.. Conery's motion Dy in
creasing the committee to nine.
The amendment was adopted.
Captain Aiken moved that the meeting
proceed in body to the Mayors Office, and
demand immediate redress.
Captain Haeberle offered the following:
RcSoIeed, That it is absolutely necessary
for the present to have uniform action
among all merchants and steamboat men
who are interested in the welfare of New
Orleans
would respectfully suggest that all men
who have that interest at heart will come
forward, and sign their names to form an
organization to protect our interests at
large.
The resolution was referred to the COM
mittee of nine.
Captain g. L. Kouns offered the follow
ing:
T2esolved, That all steamboat business be
suspended until there be made an unity of
organization in the shipping interest, and
our lights under the laws are guaranteed
TO US.
This evoked considerable debate, many
arguing strongly in its favor. Captain w.
L. Kouns opposed it on the ground that he
didn't want to be dictated to in the matter
of conducting his business. He thought
that all ought to be allowed to act accord
ing to their own convictions.
Captain Haeberle spoke earnestly in favor
of unanimity Of action on the part of all
steamboatmen in sUspending all business
rather than submit to the impositions sought
to be enforced.
Mr.. Phelps now announced the following
appointments on the committee Of nine:
E, Conery, Captain Pegram, Captain w.
J. Kouns, Captain Aiken, Captain Burdeau,
Colonel Tucker, Captain Sinnott, Captain
Haeberle, Captain Kenison.
The president was added to the commit
tee.
The committee was clothed with full
powers to call the meeting together at the
earliest hour advisable.
Mr.. w. R. Whitaker being present was,
requested to address the meeting u the
subject of information he had obtained.
Mr.. Whitaker said:
/ have devoted the day to gaining infor-
nation concerning this question, and have
to say that [ have seen the United States
district attorney and the police authorities.
From them have received assurances that
they would use every measure to protect
the interest Of steambOatmen and laborers
who desire to work on the leVee.
saw Colonel Badger, and he informed
me that he had on the Ievee force of police
men armed with Winchester rifles, in such
numbers as to afford instant aid when
needed.
The sixth section of the amended civil
rights bill provides that any persons band
ing together for deeds of violence shall be
liable to immediate arrest and imprison-
ment.
The United States district attorney is
ready to prosecute all such cases, and the
United States marshal is bound to order
such arrests, if it takes all the United
States military at his command.
In this instance l think the Ku-Klux bill |
is good thing.
Depend upon it, the authorities will do
all they can to assist you, and all they re-
quire OF you is to give all information and |
assistance in your power.
For the information rendered, and the |
offer of gratuitous, services, a vote of thanks
was voted to Mr. Whitaker.
Captain T. J. Kouns then offered q reso- |