Daily Nashville union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1862, 1862-06-11
mEssAeE oF rHn mAYOR.


June 10th, 1862
To the Cag Council-Gent emen without any 30
llctaton upon my part, you thought proper, on the
90 day Of April last, to elect TO the Office OF Mayor
That vacancy was cccssionCd by the refusal OF the
late Mayor, Richard b. Cheatham, Esq, 10 take the
oath Of loyalty required q him by his Excolency'
Andrew johnson, Military Governor Of Tennessee.
That requirement was made in accordance with the
Constitution Of the state Of Tennessee, art TO- Sec
ID which reads as FLOWS "Every person who shall
be chosen or appointed to any cfce Of trust or pro
ft under this Const tuition, any lar made Z" p'r-
,uance hereof shall, before entering the duties
thereof take oath 20 support the Constitution OF
this State and Of the United States, and au oath OF
ONCE" And also by an act recently passed by the
Congress Of the United States which defines the form
Of such oath There is nothing contained in that
OATH in my opinion, which s not natural and legt-
innate sequence the oath simply to support the Con-
sttutlon Of the United States. The objections urged
against IT, with but few &c ptious, are made from
spirit OF disoyaty to the Government Of tho United
States, a Misrepresentation, or an undue sympathy
far relatives aud friends engaged in the present re-
bS6ion
MY main object in accepting this position was to
continue the civil government Of the city, and there
by avoid the necessity Of marital law and at the
same time 10 assist by every means in my lower TO
restore the authority Of the Federal Government in
this city, whose Jurisdiction had been temporar ~
suspended By the violence Of a causeless and unholy
rebellion.
1 knew that when I accepted the office, that for
awhile would DO an object Of odium to many Of my
feIlow-cifizens but had abiding faith that the
storm Of prejudice and passion would gradually sub
side, when reason and loyalty would again assume the
supremacy The evidences Of an improved condition
in the public mind apparent to every observant
citizen and It is to be hoped that long Nashville
will occupy the same position the Union she did in
former days.
Gentlemen, / congratulate You on your eminent
success In organizing the different municipal depart
ments # the city. Every obstacle was thrown in
your way, and every influence brought TO boar to
prevent the success Of your undertaking. Shortly
after entering upon your duties you found the offices
Of Recorder, Treasurer, Chief Of the Fire Depart
ment, Revenue Collector, City Marshal and one Dep
uty, and many places in the night police and fire de-
partment declared vacant by the refusal Of the in
cumpents TO take the required OATH All these offices
you have filed with citizens, Who for worth and tn
ergy, will compare fworaby with the officers Of any
other municipal administration; and you have cause
70 congratulate yourselves that the city government
is now moving on with the same system and regular
ity as though no change had occurred.
In consideration that every branch of trade and
commerce is now paralyzed, and the currency de-
ranged, would recommend the strictest economy N
expenditures and the greatest circumspecton in In
earring future indebtedness The taxpayers should
not be oppressed, the comfort and health Of the
city neglected. Let us PATCH repair, and keep clean
--long no expensive work unless absolutely neces-
sary, OF imposed ~ tome obligation on forme
contract of the City Council. by this Of policy
the city in time win be relieved Of its accumulated
liabilities and indebtedness
The Fiuance Committee have examined the account
OF the former Treasurer, John Rains and md the
same by vouchers correct. would, however, state,
IN his last monthly report Of the sinking fund, you
win end an item Of -- dollars lost 10 the city from
the receipt of Confederate money This fund was
placed In the Planters Bank on deposit, and was
drawn out during the week Of the panic in February
last, in Confederate notes which were subsequently
exchanged. without imputng the slightest evil in
tent to the parties concerned, respectfully rec m.
mend this matter 10 your consideration.
shortly amer my election, was informed by me
Superintendent OF the Water Works that the supp Of
fuel on aud would last but fow days. BY an ar.
- raugoment with Captain Bingham, OF the Quartermas-
ter's Department. secured barge Of coal which will
last for several months and by, procuring another
barge, / hope TO have ample supply Tor the ro-
malndor OF tho year.
cannot close this communication, as Mayor and
Chief Executive Of the Police Department, without
extending 20 Gen Dumont and Col. Matthews, Provost
Marshal, aud the Guard under their command, my
heartfelt q auks for their Efficient cooperation in
preserving order and quiet IN this city. Instead Of
"Nandals aud Hessiars,' who had come amongst us
to(drsyage and plumber as predicted by dema-
gogucs, / have found them mild, fo'bcarant, and
wen disciplined sodicry, controlled by high sense
81 duty toprvserye odcr and respect the rights OF
property.
Having previously se,yod rs Mayer four terms, J
shall oudeayor 20 puiormthe dnttsd my Office win
The same Importantly as heretofore, aud remain
Your obedient servant,
JOHN HUGH SMITH, Mayor