Sacramento Daily Union, 5 August 1851
An Ordinance establishing a Chain Gang, and providing for the government thereof.
Be it ordained by the Mayor and Common Council of the City of Sacramento, as follows to-wit:
Sec. 1. That a chain-gang shall be and is hereby organized for the punishment of such persons as shall be convicted of crimes and misdemeanors in the recorder’s court. No person shall be placed in the chain-gang convicted as aforesaid except by order of the recorder.
Sec. 2. The city marshal shall be superintendent of the chain-gang here by established under the supervision of the common council, and shall cause the prisoners who are sentenced to work therein, to be employed in and upon such of the streets, alleys, and other places, either public or private in the city, as he shall deem proper, or as shall be ordered by the council aforesaid.
Sec. 3. When any person is sentenced to imprisonment by the recorder, he shall, in his discretion, sentence said person or persons to labor in the chain-gang, or to be confined in the city prison; and his warrant of commitment shall specify the terms of the sentence, and the same shall be carried into effect by the marshal as specified in said warrant.
Sec. 4. The superintendent of the chain-gang shall employ as many of the city police to oversee the prisoners and shall be authorized to procure and use such chains, balls, or other means as he shall deem necessary for the security of all prisoners under his charge, and to describe and administer, or cause to be administered such punishment as shall be necessary to keep good order among the prisoners and to compel them to work.
Sec. 5. If any person shall speak to or in any manner correspond with any prisoner confined in the chain-gang without the permission of the superintendent or person in charge thereof, he shall be fined in a sum not less than one, nor more than one hundred dollars, or be imprisoned not more than ten days.
Sec 6. This ordinance shall take effect immediately from and after its passage.
Approved, June 28, 1851.
J.R. HARDENBERGH, Mayor
I hereby certify that the above is a true copy of an Ordinance passed by the Common Council,
the 12th of June, 1851. L. Curtis, Clerk C.C.