Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1867-09-25

themselves in taking the prescribed oath,
should be indicted and punished for per-
jury.
THE MUNICIPAL CONFLICT-THE
GOVERNORS LAST ORDER AND
GEN. COOPER'S WARNING.
Gov. BroWnlOW is at Knoxville, and
has been for months, yet he issues procla-
nations and orders dated at the Execu
tive Department, Nashville He evil
IDENTIFY does not understand the condition
of affairs in this city, and is being played
upon by men here, who are interested in
disappearing facts and misleading
him. His order to Gen Cooper, dated
22nd, Sunday and published yesterday,
says:
You will bring to Nashville immedi-
ately all the troops-infantry and cavalry
you can command, to enable you to pro-
tect the Judges and Clerks appointed by the
Commissioner of Registration, and to en-
force the franchise law. If need be call
upon Mai. Gen. Geo. II. Thomas for addi-
tionar force TO enable you to keep the peace
and enforce the law.
Now this is all arrant nonsense. 1t has
no foundation, nor pretext of foundation
In the first place, nobody proposes to in
terfere with the Judges and Clerks ap-
pointed by the Commissioner of Registra-
tion," and hence there is no occasion for
Gen. Cooper or any one else to protect
them. In the second place, nobody pro-
poses to violate the franchise law, and no
troops, therefore, are required /" to en-
fore" it.
In his notice of warning, based upon
the Governors order above, Gen Cooper
says
The General commanding, having re-
ceiyed the foregoing order, warns all par
ties to desist from any attempt to hold an
election in violation of the franchise law.
He also notifies all persons entitled to vote
under the aforesaid law that they will be
protected in voting, and all persons not en-
titled to vote to desist from any attempt to
do SO.
Now, in the name of ali that is peaces
ful, and just, and logical, the citizens of
Nashville would like to know what all
this means Neither they nor their reps
resentatives in the city government have
done anything to justify this high-swell-
ing and blood-portending order of the
Governor, or the threatening monition of
the General commanding the militia.
These gentlemen have been deceived,
grossly and cruelty imposed upon. Let
us see if we cannot furnish little whole
some light upon the subject These are
the facts
l. BY the law of incorporation the City
Council of Nashville is required to APP
point the Judges and Clerks in their char
ter elections As the time for the per
Torrance of this duty approached, that
body took the advice of lawyers as to
whether it was relieved of this duty by
the enactment of the franchise law of
February 25, 1867. The reply was that it
did not Thereupon the Council pro-
ceeded to discharge the duty imposed by |
the law of its creation, as interpreted |
to them by the ablest legal talent within
their reach
? Up to this time, and until after this
was done and made duly public, no guess
ton was ever made on the subject Soon
afterwards-and we must say to the sur
prise of most of our people, list Of
Judges and Clerks was announced by the |
Commissioner of Regis8 tion, and pur-
pose expressed to hold the election under
the franchise law To this we heard of
no remOnstrance on the part of any
body-the city authorities declining TO
have any contest with the Commissioner
of Registration.
}. Soon after this, our community was
startled by the appearance of procla
nation from the Governor, in the Knox
vile Wing, declaring the franchise law a
part Of the constitution, and that NUM-
cipal elections should be held under it
The same impression of the Who con-
tanned leading editorial declaring that
there was a little rebellion in this
city, which Gen. Cooper would be or
dered to suppress All of which, it is
needless to say, was entirely uncalled
for and wholly gratuitous.
4 The Mayor of the city as his duty
required Of him, again submitted the
question to the leading lawyers Of the
city, who after carefully reviewing the
whole subject advised him that the
franchise law did not exonerate the city
authorities from the duty of holding the
election in the manner prescribed by the
charter. Thereupon Mayor Brown is
sued proclamation informing the peo-
pie of the city Of the position assumed
by the Governor, and of his purpose to
see that the election was held under the
charter, ms it had been expounded to him
by lawyers in whose learning and impair
TALLY he relied He was explicit how
ever, in stating that no opposition should
be made to the course the Registration
Commissioner should pursue that that
official was at perfect liberty to hold !
any election which, in his estimation, his
duty required be made no issue what
ever with him; but frankly suggested if
both sets of election officers held an
election, the result would present an as
sue to be settled by the courts, the deci-
sion Of which he and the people of Nash
vile would cheerfnlly abide
5. Then follows the order of the Gov
ernor and the warning of Gen Cooper as
above set forth.