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


was called upon to preside, The mayor
made brief address, regreting the occur
rences of the last few days. He trusted NJ
further like demonstrations would bemade
and was satisfied the police force was now
prepared to prevent any further disturb
ances. The interests of both employer and
laborer should be protected at all hazards
Mr, Phelps submitted the report of the
committee Of which he is chairman. setting
forth statement of the incidents of the
strike, and asking protection at the hands
of the authorities.
The report was adopted
Colonel Sulakowski made a few excited
remarks concerning the murder of Captain
j. w Barnes by the strikers on the Ievee on
Thursday.
Mr.. w. r. Whitaker was called for and,
regretting the absence Of Colonel Badger,
the superintendent, stated that he had been
assured that the police authorities were pre-
pared to DO, and were doing everything in
their power to prevent recurrence of the
difficulty OF Thursday. There will be nc
further interference with the laborers per.
mitted. Superintendent Badger has taken
steps to bring the ringleaders of the recent
riot to justice, and they will be arrested and
punished. He called upon the gentlemen
to render to the police all the assistance at
their command.
Captain Burdeau complained that the po-
lice knew of the strike beforehand, but
took no steps to prevent it..
Mr. Moran did not believe word HIr
Whitaker had said. He believed the police
sympathized with the rioters. If the Chief
of Police had done his duty, he would have
stopped the proceedings on the levee at
once, and 5000 citizens would have helped
him do it.
Colonel Badger having arrived, he was
called for by Mr. Baldwin. He stated that
he had supposed this was meeting Of gen
tlemen assembled to arrange matters
among the laborers and their employers on
the leyee; instead of that it seemed that
they had come there to abuse the police.
He then, in a business-like way, stated
what precautions had been taken by
him to maintain order on Thursday.
The force in the harbor precinct was
largely augmented, and strong
force of reserves was kept at each
and every station in readiness to be con-
centrated at any point. The strike extend
ed from the Barracks to Carrollton, and he
did not know at which point to expect an
emeute. When the men passed up it was
in an orderly manner. The difficulty which
resulted in the killing of Captain Barnes
occurred and was over with in a
very brief period Of time, so that
by the time the force arrived from the
stationhouse, which was in five minutes,
the mortal wounds had been given. Upon
the arrival of the police the mob fell back.
To-day large force had been placed on the
Ievee TO allow no interference with the
lab0rers, and if necessary, the entire force
will be used for that purpose.
This led to a general discussion. One
gentleman stated that the ringleaders not
only demanded 81 per day, but that con-
tract should be signed for a year at that
rate.
Mayor Flanders claimed that the IabOrers
had perfect right to strike, to organize
make regulations, combinations and terms
and to use all proper means to have them
allowed, just as the printers have and the
merchants, but when they commit violence
itmust be suppressed.
Commodore Kouns moved that commit
tee of three be selected to call on the Govern
or for protection against mob violence. He
wanted the Governor to be notified, so that
if the police can not quell the difficulty
other means may be used. As for the mob
on the leyee, it was the worst he
had ever seen. 1t would have been
rashness for the police to have inter
fered with them. 1t would be more
than the lives of fifty men were worth
But if volunteers were called for, he thought
90 600 men could be gathered in an hour
He hoped the resolution would pass unan-
imousIy, with view to keeping the com
mercial interests Of the city out of the
hands of riotors and lawless mobs.
Mr.. Burdeau believed the police were as
capable of protecting US as they were the
Mechanics Institute few months ago.
The resolution was adopted, and Messrs-
Kouns, Burdeau and Phelps appointed.
Mr.. Phelps thought that inasmuch as the
chief of police had promised protection to
the laborers, he had faith that he would
keep his word; then when the police fail
would be time enough to wait apon the
Governor.
Mayor Flanders stated that if called upon
he should call upon the citizens for aid, if
it became necessary, by virtue of his posi-
ton as Mayor of the city. Of all things he
was opposed to mobs and riots He had
had some experience, and it was not salts
factory.
Mr. Phelps took this occasion to renew his
suggestion, frequently made before, that
the steambOatmen organize into an associa-
tion, so that they could, as body, repre-
sent their grievances, and demand redress
He got no encouragement from the meeting,
however, each steamboatman there seeming
to prefer to find fault in his own way.
Colonel Badger stated that the police au-
thorities had an undOUbted right to call for
assistance, and would do SO when assist
ance was required. He again stated that
he should see that the labOrers were pro
tected at their work, no matter what wages
they agree to work for. If policemen with
their clubs and revolvers are unable to af-
ford protection, then policemen with their
rifles will 90 it. He asked the
gentlemen present to notify him when and
where they were about to load or discharge,
and he would send officers there.
One gentleman stated that the superin-
tendent was making good promises, but
not keeping them that. as one boat was
leaving this evening, the crew jumped, and
AIsv Il ELo+ 3,