Marietta daily leader. (Marietta, Ohio) 1895-1906, 1899-05-24
CURFEW ORDINANCE



rigg, Third street
Evelelgh reported that the Building
committee had decided to let the mat
ter of appointing janitor for the Au-
ditorium go until September, as there
is very little work to be done in the
hall during the summer and some
temporary arrangement could be made
until need for an appointment.
Marsch said that one member of the
Bridge committee was out Of town and
the committee would like to have an
other week The time was granted.
On motion of Blume of the Finance
committee, the Clerk was instructed
to draw an order on the general fund
for $500 to be placed to the credit OF
the Park Commissioners for improve
ment OF the city parks this year.
Agent Brown, of the B. & o. s. W.,
was present and was granted permis-
sion to speak He said the railroad
company had received bill for cross
ing lights on the West Side for two
years, amounting to $500, and made
known the proposition OF the company
to pay the city $3.50 for the use of
the light, which rate has been sustain
ed by several court decisions in this
state The matter was referred to the
Finance committee and Solicitor for
investigation
Lambert brought up the curfew or
dinance which was presented a week
ago, saying that there were some
Objectionable features in the original
resolution, and moved to amen d the
ordinance to eliminate those and when
the amendment had been accepted
Curtis moved the adoption of the or
dinance as amended.
Mr.. Storck asked for another read
ing and after the reading, asked the
Solicitor if the ordinance would be
lawful IL adopted. The Solicitors
opinion seemed to be adverse to the
ordinance being good and constitu-
tiOnal, but he would prefer to make an
investigation before giving an opinion
and be able TO give the authorities on
the subject.
Lambert said If 1T would not stand,
why wouldn't other cities have found 1t
otu before now where 1t has been in
force for years. A number of cities in
Ohio have such ordinances and there
are over 300 cities in the United
States where a curfew ordinance is in
effect He read letter from the May
or of Wellston, where they have had
the law for seven years. His Honor
endorses the law and says it is favored
by large majority of the citlzsns and
works like charm, the children stay
ing at home and no arrests being nee
essary. His Honor of GAINESVILLE says
the law has been in force there for two
years and is successful. 1t has his
hearty endorsement He thinks it is
a good thing, as 1t gives boys and girls
protection at a time when they most
need 1T.
Lambert continued, saying: Tax
payers endorse the law, as it is a pre-
ventive of crime which is cheaper than
punishment for the crime. In Kansas
City and Indianapolis commitments to
the reform farm have decreased very
much since the adoption of the cur
few law"
Marsch asked the Solicitor if he re-
membered case where a child was ar
rested in Belltontaine under the law
The parent brought suit against the
city for damages and won his case
The Solicitor did not remember it,
Blume would like to have Solicitor
take time to look up the legality of the
matter, although he was favorable Ito
the ordinance.
The Mayor asked permission to state
his opinion, which was that the ordin-
ance would hold and be good il passed
by the Council until some one made
test case and got a court decision that
it was not good law. The city need
not fear damages, as the damages
would be so slight that it could hard
ly be assessed. If the statuts prohib-
fting the sale of liquors to minors,
prohibiting chilu-labor and prohibiting
the sale OF cigarettS to minors, would
hold good the curfew ordinance, pro-
hibHing children lettering on the
streets after a certain hour every
night would certainly hold good. If
the Countil will pass this ordinance
they will do as much good for the city
OF Marietta as anything that has been
done recently"
The vote being called for, Messrs.
Blume, EVeleigh, Marsch, Lorenz and
Wood voted against the passage. Six
members voted for IT. The President
declared the motion lost, but the May
or thought 1t only required a majority
of the quorum present. This point
remained undecided and the business
of the meeting proceeded.
A communication was received from
the ladies OF the w. C. T. u, inviting
the members of the Council to a free
social at the Baptist church during the
evening. The invitation was accept
ed and placed ON file.
communication from Mr.. Tinrkler,
of the Canton Bridge Co, asking for
some Information as to inserting a