Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-02-07

gineer of Fire Department shows the follow
ing expenses:
Salaries. 90
10
y
20
Contingent w
40
During the month Of January there were
two fires, and one alarm. On the morning
OF the 9th ult-, at quarter past IL o'clock,
fire was discovered in Mr.. Frank McGav-
ock's building, on the north side of the
Square, occupied by Cook, Moores a. Co.
as a Wholesale grocery establishment. The
rear of the adjoining building, occupied by
X. G. Page, commission merchant, and A.
q. Adams dealer in boots, shoes, and ready
made clothing was partly consumed.
Mr. McGavock's losses are estimated at
$4,000. No insurance. Cook, Moores &
Co. lost $4,000; insured for $4,000. r.
G. Page'sloss on stock is estimated at SIC, 600.
No insurance. Mr.. Fall, the owner of the
house, estimates his loss at $1,000. No in
surance.
A. q. Adams & Co. lost on house and
stock $3l, 904 40, on which there was an
insurance Of $3l, 900.
On the night Of the 26th ult., a fire was
discovered in building on Nerth College
street, just below the square, occupied by
Thomas German as a retail boot and shoe
store. He estimates his loss on stock at So
400, which was covered by an insurance of
5000. -tit
Total loss by fires during the month ...S70 sOi 20
Insurance on same, W
A report Of the small pox hospital, from
January 1lth TO February LIST, shows 126
patients on hand, including white and
black, and an increase up TO the 18th ult.,
when there were l6S. Since that date there
has been slight decrease. The number
discharged during a period of twenty-five
days was 1879. For the same time the re-
port shows the death Of seven whites and
forty-six blacks. Doctors j. 4. Wilkinson
and A. A. Hatcher, the physicians in charge,
report 164 patients remaining February LIST.
Mr.. Kinney, chairman Of the Committee
on Streets, presented report showing that
the work had progressed slowly on account
of bad weather. The appropriation of ST.
9S2, made for the month OF December, had
been paid A contract had also been made
for repairs on Lebanon pike.
The following report was then presented:
REPORT OF JOINT COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC
dr. AMUsEMENTS. th.
TO he Aldermen and Common Council Of the
City Of Nashville:
Your Joint Committee on Public Amuse-
ments ask leave TO submit the following
report:
There are at present in our city, under full
operation and licensed by the corporation,
three establishments Of the kind sometimes
termed free and easy" concert saloons or
theaters. The peculiar character of this
class Of houses of public amusements may
be stated briefly TO consist in the light and
uniformly improbable character of the en-
tertainments, the serving of intoxicating
drinks TO the audience by attendant female
walters, and the practical exclusion of ladies
from attendance.
As we understand our instructions, we
are desired to investigate and report
First. Whether or not these entertain
ments in our city are conducted in a manner
"flagrantly lewa"
Second. III not 10 be characterized as ia
GRAVITY lewd." are they nevertheless " detri-
mental TO public morals" and
Third. Do they, as conducted, conflict
with or violate existing laws.
We would report
First. That having prosecuted our in
yestigations with some degree Of industry,
we have not observed from the evidence Of
others anything which would justify us in
pronouncing them "fagrantly lewd."
Second. We are fully persuaded that these
entertainments are detrimental TO public
morals and sfaxtaA4r
Third. We do not, however, detect in
them any violation of existing laws unless
Tod haf
of the audience. We have said that we
regard these entertainments as detrimental
TO public morals. We are aware that the
impression Is general that such places of en-
tertainment are dangerous yitfalls Of vice,
set TO ensnare the feet Of unwary young men,
who through them fall TO deeper depths Of
degradation and crime. But we are happy
10 report that we have seen very few of the
youth Of the city in attendance upon the
performances, and those few whom we have
met with. have generally conducted them
selves in an orderly and decorous manner.
But these places of amusement are largely
attended BY gentleman of middle dge-
men OF character, standing, and in
fuence-men OF family, who have
sons growing up around them,
yirtuous wives who have right 10 claim
their hours Of leisure, and something like a
monopoly of their gallantry and caresses.
The spirits served by the pretty girls in con-
cert saloons have apparently rejuvenating
influence upon married gentlemen, whose
years and vigor have just passed the me-
ridiau of their glory, and who begin 10 feel
the decline Of age. Amid the hilarity OF y
" free and easy" saloon, they forget the dig
sf,cf tff alr,rv lfAf
the yenerable-forget the sons who may be
influenced BY their example,-forget that
thew have faithful wives at home awaiting
their return. They are boys again, without
the boyish modesty. Fascinated with the
charms Of the dancing girls and walters,
they shout greetings impolite TO the former,
and make love 10 the latter with fondling
caresses. We regret TO say that the pretty
waiter girls" receive these rude attentions
not unkindly. We need not garry further
this reluctant statement 10 convince the
Honorable CITY Council Of The demoralizing
effect Of all the theatrical amusements Of the
class referred 20 upon the habits Of our middle
aged citizens If the sober warning Of this
report is doomed 10 be only received with an
unfit mirth, by the general public, II may
vet be possible that the wives Of middle-aged
husbands who habitually absent themselves
from home in the long winter evenings, may
take more serious view of this really grave
matter. and find an effective correction.
The proprietor Of the q broadway Narie-
ties1 has promised to use his best endeayors
to introduce reforms which would tend 70
better decorum. Il was arranged with him,
that all improper familiarities between the
men Of the audience and the waiter girls
during the performances, should be prohih-
tied, and the officers instructed TO arrest
offenders.
Your committee think il pertinent TO the
subject under consideration, 20 say that the
establishment known as the old Theatre be
longs 70 higher class, and Is from what VIC
have seen and heard, conducted in an order
ly and decorous manner, 20 which no excep,
ton can be taken not applicable 10 any and
ali theatres. =. ft
In conclusion, your committee earnestly
L. II. n-..x.nrI En1Fl