Smyrna times., 1908-08-26
COUNCIL PUTS A BAN ON
STREET CORNER LOAFING
HOLDS SPECIAL MEETING TO
ACT ON MAIN STREET PETITION
Attorney Charles H. LeFevre Repres-
enting Rev. A. G. Cummins Calls
Attention to Nuisance of Negroes

Nt'OrheY Oharles n. LeFeVre Repres-
enting Rev. A. G. Cummins Calls
Attention to Nuisance of Negroes
At a special meeting of the
Smyrna Town Council Monday even
ing 1T was unanimously decided to put
ban on loafing on street corners
and to break up vile, indecent and
profane language on the streets.
The meeting was called by President
Reynolds at the instance of Attorney
Charles Howell LeFevre who repres-
ented the Rev. A. G. Cummins one
of the number of petitioners residing
on north Main Street who have been
greatly annoyed of late by the
negroes who congregate at nearly all
hours of the night on the northeast
corner of Main and Mt. Vernon
Streets in front of Robert Whaley's
oyster stand. When the meeting was
called to order Monday evening everv
member of Council was in his place.
Attorney LeFevre was given the floor
and read the following petition which
was signed by nearly every resident
in that vicinity:
To the Town Council of the Town of smyrna.
We, the undersigned, citizens and taxpayers
OF the town OF Smyrna, hereby make complaint
and petition your honorable b dy as follows:
Inc congregating of negro lOaferS upon the
sIeeI corners oi our town particularly at the
! intersection of Mt Vernon and Main Streets is a
| public nuisance, eXtreemly objectionable to
/ passers by, and menace to the peace and good
| order of the neighbOrhoOd.
The corner where Robert Whalev has in tbe
| past conducted a sort of eating house has long
! been favorite rendezvous for colored peODIe Of
6oth sexes. Not only have the residents of upper
! Main street been compelled to wedge their wav
! through the crown that assemblies there but also
| they have heen forced to be the unwilling
| hearers OF Objectionable revolving and insulting
remarks Also. the bOiSterOus laughing talk and
! conduct of these lOafers greatly Cisturbs the
residents of the neighborhood by interfering
| with the enjoyment of their homes and with
! their rest 81 night.
Those most greatly annoyed by the loafery and
| their disOrderly conduct have made fre6uent
efforts by solicitation, etc. TO dispel the crowd
without permanent results
| We, therefore, pray that the Town Council
make ana enforce such needed police regula-
| tions as will effeetually put an end to loafars
/ congregating as aforesaid and shall restore to
/ the citizens Of the town the good order that
formerly enabled them to live in peace by day
Attorney LeFevre followed this
up with a strong letter written by
William E. Waters and explained
to Council that the residents in that
part of the town had been greatly
annoyed by the noise and vulgar
language. He mentioned several
incidences where the white residents
were insulted when they asked for an
abatement of the nuisance and in the
interest of the petitioners he prayed
Council to take some action to stop
the loafing and lounging at this
corner and see to it that proper police
protection is given.
All Street Corners Will Be Policed.
On motion of Councilman Stockly
the petition was accepted. Council
man Robinson contended that this
corner was not the only place that
needed attention and mentioned the
corner of Commerce and Pearl Street,
Cooper's Corner, the corner of
Sudler's undertaking establishment
and other corners which he contenGed
were annoying places and of times
unfit for lady to pass. Other
members of Council agreed with Mr..
Robinson and all felt that the
ordinance against loafing should
be enforced to the letter. Follow
ing short discussion Mr.. Robinson
moved that the Alderman be instruct
ed to have the police give special
attention to enforcing the ordinance not
only against loafing on the street
corners but for swearing and using
profane and indecent language,
giving especial attention to the place
referred to in the above petition. The
penalty for loafing is $5. 90 for each
and every offense. Secretary Grieves
was requested to look up the various
ordinances covering the nuisance
aforesaid and to report at the meeting
Friday night and if necessary Council
may pass a new ordinance carrying
with it greater police powers, and
heavier penalty.