The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1866-05-12
Very respectfully,
W. W. AIALLoRY.

LETTER FROM COMMON COUNCIL COMMITTEE.
CRY HALL, NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE,
May 9, 1866. (
To the G neral Assembly OF the State ofTennessee:
The members of the city government Of
the city of Nashville respectfully represent
10 your honorable body that il has very
lately come 20 the knowledge Of your petit
TONERS that by Amendments TO the Metro
politan Police Bill" the provisions of the
same are made to apply TO this city. Be
fore the final passage If that measure we
ask OF your honorable body a consideration
Of tho facts contained, in snd the considera-
lions suggested by, the following statement:
Your petitioners do not profess to 30 bet
ter informed than the members Of your
honorable body, as concerning the conditi
OF the police service of other cities of our
State; nor did we assume TO enlighten your
honorable body by any arguments touching
upon the general policy Of the measure in
question. But your petitions respectfully
ask that the city of Nashville be not in
cluded in the provisions Of the bill in ques-
ton in view OF the following considerations:
At the time the present administration OF
the city government came into power, in
October, 1865, the city was filled with The
confusion and crime which might have
been expected from the peculiar situation
of Nashville at the close of the war. Muir
der, robbery and theft were Of daily and
nightly occurrence, both in the city and
suburbs, and general outlawry and disorder
prevailed. We, your petitioners, spared
neither time, labor nor expense 90 the city
in providing an unusual y large and eff
Gent police force, selected with reference to
the high qualifications Of the members
thereof, many Of them being experts in the
r.lv a af
The political proclivities Of tue men selec.-
ed has not been a subject of inquiry, but we
believe that it is generally understood that
the city police will refrain from interference
with matters outside the sphere of their
legitimate duties.
The result of the efforts of the city ad-
ministratiOn and police was the prompt re-
duction 10 older of the Territory embrsced |
within the city limits, while crime and dis |
order still continued in some Of the suburb |
About the 18th Of January last, part of the |
territory north Of the city was annexed TO |
our Jurisdiction. Much disorder continued |
in that suburb up to its annexation, which |
within a few weeks thereafter. |
The territory west Of the city has been an |
nextd within the last few weeks, the citi- |
Gems of that suburb being willing 10 burden |
themselves with the heavy taxation of the |
corporation in order to secure, as the prin- |
cipal consideration the projection Of our |
Q excellent police force.
The city police have acted IN harmony |
and good accord with the military force in /
and about the city, and with the officers OF /
the Freedmen's Buresu; and, indeed, no |
is made Of them in any quarter /
Of a general character.
We, therefore, your petitioners, for our
selves, and representing, as we believe, al
most or altogether the entire voice OF the L
people of Nashville, earnestly pray your
honorable body that the city Of Nashville
nav not be included in the provisions Of /
The METROPOLITAN Police Bill"
Respectfully submitted,
JONI LELLYKTr,
NJ. D. A. NoLEN,
GEO S. KINNEY,
JAMES NJ. BRIES,
A. J. DUNCAN,
Committee OF City Council.
The above memorial was ordered oy
unanimous vote Of the City Council on
-aiI of the ayes and noes az a meeting OF the
rouucil in convention assembled tins day.
A. d. CREIGHTON,
sr President Board Of Aldermen.
aEta NJ. c. COrroS,
President Common Council
" Mr. BROvg Mayor.