Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1867-08-01
THE ELECTION.
THE ELECTION-MAYOR PROCLA-
NATION.


Mayors OFFICE, NASHVILLE, Tenn,
July Doth, lS67.-For the information
of the people of Nashville, deem itproPer
TO cause the publication of the following
law, enacted by the City Council to pre-
serve the public peace on the day of cleo
/ ton. and TO announce that | have taken
steps TO have them strictly and faithfully
enforced. respectfully appeal to all good
and law-abiding citizens to aid me by their
| observance.
w. MATT. BRowE, Mayor, etc
Whereas. Riotous proceedings have,
from lime to time, both before and sine
the war, disturbed the good order of vari-
| ous cities Of the United States on election
DAYS. and on other public occasions; and
whereas. the city Of Nashville has long
been preserved from sueh 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
muuity, grave solicitude is felt for the
preservation Of peace in the city. upon any
occasion Of unusual excitement. Now,
therefore,
Sec. /. 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 &c organize, form or conduct any
procession, except funerals, upon any such
street or place, and II 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
ofany election when he may apprehend
riot or disorder Except when he may be
himself, 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 be 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
s o'clock in the morning until O'Clock in
the evening. The regular night police
force shall 60 on duty in day time on the
day of election from A. NJ. to 4 P. NJ, and
shall receive SO 90 extra pay for services
as special policemen.
See g. All saloons and drinking houses
shall be closed on election day, and every
person who shall sell or give to any other
person on such an occasion any intoX-
icating drink, shall forfeit and pay fine of
not less than FIVE nor more than fifty dol
lars, for each offense. 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 pefsonssviolating
the provisions of this section, aud 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 NAV be approaching
the ballot-box, at any time when it may be
necessary 10 form such line, shall not be
crowded upon or improperly iuterfered
with, by bystanders; 10 prevent unneces-
sary crowding 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 to
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. jy3O-3t