Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1867-07-30
W. MATT. BRowE, Mayor, etc.


Whereas, Riotous proceedings have
from time to time, both before and sine,
the war, disturbed the good order of vari-
GUS cities of the United States on election
days, and on other public occasions; and
whereas the city of Nashville has long
been preserved from such evils, through the
orderly and quiet disposition of her people,
and the good conduct of her public officers /;
and whereas, from occurrences which have
lately transpired in various parts of the
State, and for reasons current in the COM
munity, grave solicitude is felt for the
preservation of peace in the city upon any
occasion of unusual excitement. Now,
therefore,
Sec l. Be it enacted by the City Council
Of Nashville. That hereafter it shall be
unlawful within the city of Nashville, on
any public election day, to hold any meet
ing in the streets or public places of said
city; or to organize, form or conduct any
procession, except funerals, upon any such
street or place, and it shall be the duty
of the police on service to disperse any as
semblages or professions gathered, or pro-
ceedings in violation of this ordinance, and
all persons disobeying the orders of the
police, given in obedience to the provisions
Of this act, shall be arrested and punished
as for riotous or disorderly conduct.
Sec 2. 1t shall be the duty of the Mayor,
with the advice Of the Chairman of each
branch of the City Council, on the occasion
Of any election when he may apprehend
riot or disorder Except when he may be
himself, a candidate for any office in which
the City Marshal shall make the appoint
ments and act in every respect understood
by the Mayor to appoint such number of
special police, not exceeding three hundred,
as ne may deem necessary, to be paid 81 90
per day for two days. The said police force
shall be organized and prepared for SER
vice on the day preceding the election, and,
with the regular police force shall be con-
stantly on duty on the day Of election from
o'clock in the morning until O'Clock in
the evening. The regular night police
force shall go on duty in day time on the
day Of election from 7 A. NJ. to P. NJ, and
shall receive So 90 extra pay for services
as special policemen
Sec. g. All saloons and drinking houses
shall be closed on election day, and every
person who shall sell or give to any other
BciSOil Oil SuCi all OCCdSlOu any l0tOA-
icatiDg drink, shall forfeit and pay fine of
not less than five nor more than fifty doll
lars, for each ofiense. 1t shall be the duty
of the police to examine and see that all
drinking houses and bars are closed, and
to promptly arrest all persons violating
the provisions of this section, and lock up
their establishments till the following day.
Sec. 4. 1t shall be the duty of the police
force to see that the avenues to the polls,
or voting places, are kept open; that the
line of voters which may be approaching
the ballot-box, at any time when it may be
necessary to form such line, shall not be
crowded upon or improperly interfered
with, by bystanders; to prevent unneces-
sary erowding one upon another of persons
approaching the polls TO vote, and to en-
force all lawful orders of the Sheriff, or his
deputy, or other person holding the cleo
ton. The police may also, when neces-
sary, require all persons having voted 10
retire from about the ballot-bOx, and shall
allow no conversation or argument in
the vicinity of the polls. Disobedience to
the orders of the police in regard to the
matters mentioned in this section, shall
subject the offender to arrest and fine, as
for disorderly conduct.
This act shall take effect on and after its
passage. iy30-3t