Ten New Ordinances Enacted and Are Now Laws – No Bicycle Riding on the Sidewalks.
IMPORTANT CITY COUNCIL MEETING | The Board of Mayor and Aldermen of Covington at its last meeting enacted various and sundry ordinances. First they enacted an ordinance prohibiting disorderly festivals, dances, entertainments, etc, and fixed the fine at from $2 to $25 and costs for violation of the law.
The second ordinance prohibits the throwing in the public square or streets waste paper, boxes, brush or other rubbish. It was declared punishable with a fine of from $2 to $10 and costs.
A third ordinance makes it unlawful to throw or leave any dead animal or fowl in the street. Penalty for violation is fixed at from $2 to $25 and costs.
A fourth ordinance prohibits the shooting of sling-shots and air guns in the corporate limits. A penalty of from $2 to $10 is attached.
A fifth ordinance prohibits any person from riding bicycles on the sidewalks of the streets or square. All such riders shall be subject to arrest and on conviction he or she shall be fined not less than $1 nor more than $10 and costs.
A sixth ordinance prohibits the playing of cards or dice in any saloon or room adjoining a saloon. All players are liable to a fine of from $5 to $25 and cost.
The seventh ordinance prohibits gatherings to loiter around the back or front doors of saloons on Sunday. A fine of from $2 to $10 and costs is assessed against violations of this ordinance.
The eighth ordinance prohibits loafers around the depot and declares against congregating of idlers in the rooms and platforms of the depot to the inconvenience of travelers and those who have business there. The marshal is authorized to arrest violators of the ordinance, who will be fined on conviction anywhere from $2 to $10 and costs.
The ninth ordinance prohibits private parties from using their hose for sprinkling while a fire is in progress in any building in the town. The purpose is that in case of fire the full power may be used on the fire. The penalty is from $5 to $25 and costs.
The tenth ordinance made trespassing on the public school property a misdemeanor, and all persons are prohibited from trespassing or entering said grounds without the written permission of the town constable, mayor and aldermen or member of the Board of Education. The superintendent or any of the male teachers and janitors are authorized to act as special constables and arrest trespassers who may be fined $25 or less.
These ordinances all go into effect on and after their passage – in fact are now regularly authorized statutory laws of the town.
[The Covington Leader, Covington, Tenn., June 17, 1989]