Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1869-11-16
4 Memorial.

The following memorial has been pre-
scented to the individual members OF the
Legislature in regard to amusements. The
names of those signing it are at least guar
antee of the earnestness they feel IN the
matter. Mr.. Spalding is the ]. r. Spalding,
formerly of the Spalding ~ Rodgers circus.
He is now running three theaters, one IN
New Orleans, one in Memphis, and the
other in st. Louis:
NASHVILLE. Nov. I3.-TO the Honorable
Members of the General Assembly of the
State of Tennessee: Your petitioners
would respectfully represent that they be-
Ieye they are the lessees and managers Of
the only respectable theaters in the State,
and that the present law requiring us to
pay $500 Incense for the privilege of Tur-
MING n theater, is more than the business
can afford, and is more than is paid in any
other State. The only State license that
we are aware of is $500 in the State Of
PENNSYLVANIA, and 800 IN Louisiana, and
as far as we know. no State license is de-
manded in any other State, and we would
most respectfully ask you to reduce the Ii
cense in this State TO a sum not exceeding
500.
We would also call your attention to the
fact that in some places IN the State, under
the pretense of presenting dramatic and
musical entertainments, old andyoung men
are seduced into these places, where the
most immoral and indecent practices are
tolerated. and not prohibited 10y any law
now in force The sale of intoxicating
liquors to the persons composing the audl-
ences. assists materially III leading the
Young and unwary to irretrieyable rum.
The action of the Common Council of the
city of Nashville in suppressing one of
these disreputable establishments Is ap-
plauded by every respectable citizen, and
a general law passed by you that would
have the effect of suppressing such prac-
tices throughout the State, would be hailed
with satisfaction by every good citizen in
the State
We would respectfully offer for your con-
sideration the inclosed form Of bill, which,
If passed into a law, we believe would eff
feetually correct the evil, for without the
aid of the maddening effect of liquors
distributed in such places, the other evils
would be found improbable to the proprie-
tors and distasteful 10 visitors.
Spaldine. Bidwell & Marlborough, Man
ayers Memphis Theater; Gilbert 81 Ford,
Managers New Nashville Theater; W.
Messick, Agent Greenlaw Opera House,
Memphis.
The memorial contemplates the passage
of bill fixing license for places of amuse-
ment to the effect that every theateT, opera
house or other building used for place OF
amusement, where an admission fee Is re-
quired from visitors, shall pay license tax
Of 500 per annum, payable in advance.
That in theaters and other places OF
amusement, where on admission is required
from visitors, no wine, spirituous or malt
LIQUORS. shall be sold or furnished to
visitors inside of such place of amusement,
nor in any apartment adjoining or opening
into the same, nor shall any indecent or
immoral exhibition be permitted, under
penalty of $50 for the first offense, and
like penalty and forfeiture of license for the
second offense
That it shall be the duty Of the Sheriff OF
the county to see this law enforced. And
that all laws and parts of laws inconsistent
with this act are hereby repealed.
This act shall be enforced from and after
its passage No action has as yet been had
in the premises, but we presume It viii re-
ceive that attention to which il is entitled.