Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1859-06-24
TERMS OF ADVERTISING.
From the Chronicle of May 81.
DIR. Menees and the Pass Law.

DIR. Menees and the Pass Law.
As we propose in this, and subsequent
numbers, to review some of the leading
points in the Senatorial record of DIR. Me-
nees we shall commence by showing that
the defence he sets up is totally worthless.
In the first place, he says the Legislature au-
thorized Messrs. Meigs and Cooper to pre-
pare what is called the new Code of Ten
nessee, and that in voting for the laws of
which it is constituted, he has the sanction
of their legal ability and their approval. A
glance at the facts will detect the weakness
of this plea. The above named gentlemen
were appointed committee to compile, col
lect together the laws of the State, and re-
port to the Legislature the result of their
labors. They had no authority to repeal
modify, or amend a solitary law-they were
not clothed with legislative functions, and
are no more responsible for the wisdom Of
the laws than Eastman e. Co., who printed
them. Again, DIR, Menees intimates, in his
defence, that it could not be expected they
would examine each law as it came up for
c-enactment after having passed the ordeal
of the known ability of Messrs. Meigs and
Cooper, and stood the test of time. That
he did expect to examine each law, and to
vote for or against it, upon its merits, is
clear from the following resolution, offered
by himself, and adopted by the Senate, and
which etlectually demolishes the plea of ig-
norance:
"By leave, Mr.. Menees offered q resolution
No 52-
''Mabing it the duty Of thGCharman of the Com
mittee on the Revised Code, or in his absence, of
some other member of said Committee, during each
reading of the Code in the Senate, TO point any
change or changes that may have been made in
existing laws, and explain the nature extent OF
such change or changes. See Senate Journal page
2l9.
Having shown that Messrs. Meigs and
! Cooper had no more to do with making the
laws than the clerk who transcribed them,
and that DIR. Menecs had all the facilities
for investigating their merits which he him
self asked for, it follows that his votes are
the true exponents of his Judgment and
statesmanship, of which we proceed to give
specimen On pages 359-G0 of the Code
the following sections may be found;
l7lO. y person is guilty of misbehavior who
g
to apply himself to some honest calling; or who
sauutcrs about neglectmg his business; or who trie
to maintain himself 10y gaming other undu'
means; or wlO exhibits the gaming table common
ly called b c, or faro bank, or any other gaming
cloth table or bank, Of the same or like Kind, un
der any denomination whatever.
"l7ll. Such person may he required to find secu
rites of good behavior. To that end, any JuStic,
Of the Peace of any county where the offender ma,
be found shall, on due proof made, issue warran
and cause him to hc brought before him, and on
conviction demand Of him suretes for his good he
havior and in Of his refusal neglect to Civ
the same, may commit him to the Jail of the coun
ty for not exceeding five days, at the expiration o
which imprisonment he shall be set at liberty,
nothing criminal appear against him, he paying al
charges arising from said Imprisonment.
q l7l2 If such convict repeat the offence With
thirty days after his discharge, he shall he deeme
u NaHItll, anu NC SuuJcCl 10 one mOnlu
mcnt, and to the payment of all costs accruin
thcreon and if he neglect or refuse to pay sal
costs, he may be continued in prison until the mex
Circuit or Criminal Court which shall proceed I
try the offender aud if he be found guilty by
jury, the court may cause him to be imprisoned i
the county jailno exceeding thirty days
9 Now We ask the reader to analyze tn
foregoing provisions, smacking strongly o
the Spanish Inquisition, and say to wha
wrongs they may lead Who is to be tn
judge whether a man has means of subsis
tence, or his neglecting his business? Or,
he do neglect his business-as thousand
are constantly doing-whose business is
but his own? If man go into a count
where he is a stranger, and ON private busi
ness which he does notwish shall be known
: : must he carry with him the capital on tn
n interest of which he lives? or his land an
negroes, that it may be seen that he has ZAP
parent means of subsistence2I But, I
i make the matter clearer, suppose our neigh
Dor were to go into Robertson county fC
the purpose OF organizing the Domocrac
in the several civil districts--not wishin
o his business to be known-and one of I'll
big Jane jury, in spirit of royeng
were to make oath before a magistrate tht
p he had mo apparent means of subsi
h, tonce,' or was sauEtering about, "neglec
A. ing his business what might follow? /
might be imprisoned for five days, and
- nothing criminal appeared against him,
might be set at liberty provided he paid .