On Wednesday last, Mr. Chalk, high constable of York, arrived in Edinburgh, and had an interview with Captain Haining, previous to proceeding to Dundee (accompanied by M’Levie, the criminal officer), in pursuance of a warrant issued by Thomas Price, Esq., one of the magistrates of York, for the apprehension of Joseph Stadman Madison, superintendent of police at Dundee, on a charge of felony. Mr. Madison, who was appointed on the 5th current, and had only commenced the duties of his new office on Wednesday, was taken into custody the same night, conveyed to Edinburgh the next day, and proceeded yesterday en route for York. The Dundee Advertiser says:—”This event has thrown the town into great amazement. We have not sufficient information to enable us to give our readers any particulars, but the leading facts are beyond dispute. Mr. Madison came here and produced testimonials from a meeting at which were the Lord Lieutenant for the East Riding of Yorkshire and a number of other highly respectable magistrates and country gentlemen; also from many officers in the army, and from official gentlemen in different parts of the country. Out of thirty or thirty-one candidates Mr. Madison was placed at the top of the short leet, and was ultimately unanimously elected to the office of superintendent. His personal appearance, his tact, and the weight of his testimonials, seemed sufficient to bear down all opposition, and to put the other candidates entirely out of the field. His election went off with great eclat, and we never heard any question made as to the judiciousness of the appointment. So far all appeared satisfactory; but yesterday morning things were completely altered. An officer arrived with a warrant to apprehend Mr. Madison on a charge of embezzlement, as we understand. He was apprehended, accordingly, and is now on his way to York, in custody as a criminal. Altogether this is a most extraordinary affair. The conduct of Mr. Madison is unaccountable; and we cannot conceive how he could expect to escape detection, when he threw himself into the very gaze of the public by standing as a candidate for one of the most prominent offices in a large town. One lesson may be learnt from what has happened. We have often heard of the little faith which should be given to testimonials, but we never knew of a stronger instance than the one we have just recorded. Mr. Madison formerly held the situation of superintendent of an association in Yorkshire for the prosecution of felons; he is about twenty-eight years of age, and has a wife and three children. We understand there are several charges against him.”

Morning Post Tuesday,  Aug. 20, 1844

Sudden Removal from Office. — On Wednesday last Mr. Chalk, High Constable of York, arrived in Edinburgh, and had an interview with Capt. Haining, previous to proceeding to Dundee (accompanied by M‘Levie, the criminal officer), in pursuance of a warrant issued by Thomas Price, Esq., one of the magistrates of York, for the apprehension of Joseph Stadman Madison, superintendent of police at Dundee, on a charge of felony. Mr. Madison, who was appointed on the 5th current, and had only commenced the duties of his new office on Wednesday, was taken into custody the same night, conveyed to Edinburgh the next day, and proceeded this morning en route for York. We have not heard the exact charges against Mr. Madison, but we understand they have reference to money transactions in connection with the situation formerly held by him in York. — Edinburgh Observer.

The Standard Tuesday,  Aug. 20, 1844