Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-04-12
Respectfully submitted,

Respectfully submitted,
j. I. LEATH, Chairman, etc.
On being read the communication was
received. 1t was then read in the Coun.
Gil, and at once a seri, of resolutions
and motions we're made. Councilman
Donovan desired to refer the letter to the
City Attorney and get his legal opinion
as to the respective powers of the Com
~missioners, General Council and Mayor
on police matters. This motion was
lost. Councilman Seessel Endorsed the
Commissioners in their course and OPP
posed the action of the Mayor in the
matter. Councilman Gibson offered a
resolution, that it is the duty of the Po-
lice Commissioners to carry out the sec.
tons of the laws and ordinances of the
city, and that the Commissioners Office
is under the supervision Of the Mayor,
as stated in the charter. On motion of
Councilman Blaise this resolution was
tabled.
Councilman Nicely favored referring
the letter to the City Attorney. But as
that was voted down, and the matter b.
ing of considerable Importance, time
should be given members Of the Council
to consider the matter, and he moved to
postpone the matter until the next regu-
lar meeting. This motion was lost.
After much discussion and wrangling
the letter was received just as it was in
the Aldermanic Board.
Councilman Speed offered the follow.
ing preambles and resolution:
Whereas, The Board of Police and
Fire Commissioners by a communication
dated the 18th inst, have asked of the
General Council advice as to their
powers, etc., enforcing certain ordin.
auces of the city; and
Whereas, They have in the past exer-
cised a wise discretion in enforcing Ger.
tain ordinance, which have met with
almost universal approval, therefore, belt
Resolved by the General Council,
That the exclusive mana, ement Of the
Police Department is devolved upon the
the General Council and the b. .rd OF
Police and Fire Commissioners, and that
the course the Commissioners have pur-
sued in exercising discretion in enforc-
ing certain ordinances is considered
wise by the General Council, and meets
with their views and hearty approval.
This opened up the discussion once
again, and for a time the foods Of elo.
quence were turned loose, the friends Of
The resolution pressing it's passage with
vigor and those opposed resisting. 1t
was at last adopted by a vote Of 8 to 6,
|. then went to the Board Of Aldermen,
sld was resisted by Aldermen Cochran,
Dent and others, they not indorsing the
tenor and expressions in the resolution.
Alderman Cochran referred to the dens
Of vice kept in different portions Of
iha city, to the houses of prostitution
kept by white men on Center alley and
Washington street, and de6ed the Chief
Of Police and the Commissioners to deny
the statement, and If they did he would
60 with them to these places and prove
what he said. He added: IF these
things are not true, l am willing to leave
town. Chief Of Police Athy, who haC
been in close attendance in the Council
room aud in consultation with those ad
vocating the resolution, followed the res
olution into the Board Of Aldermen
When he heard Mr.. Cochran's statemen
he remarked, aloud: "Mr. Cochran, you
will then have to leave town" Alder
nan Cochran replied that the charge.
were true, as he and other members o
the General Council had seen the aban
doned women occupying these low dem
Of infamy.
On a vote being taken the Board re
fused to concur with the Council as Il
the Speed resolution by a vote Of A To
Alderman Dent voting against the resc
luton because it Endorsed the course tn
Commissioners had pursued, and he di,
not indorse their course in certain mat
ters with reference to suppressing eel
tain gaming houses and protecting
others, After things had cooled dow
somewhat the resolution was called VI
again, and all that part of it, commenc
ing and that the course the Commits
s%ioners have pursued" etc., was stricken
out. The resolution was then adopted
and blessed peace reigned supreme al
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