Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1865-12-13
Report OF the Committee on the Niles
Works Contract.

10 the Gin Council aud Boori ef Aldermen.
We, the undersigned, appointed by resolution q
committee, with power to act in the premises, re-
spccting the charging of the Water Works, by
erecting new buildings, and new engines. machine
~, etc. II is well known to you that a contract
was entered into, dated August %, 1865, by John
Hugh Smith, Mayor, Andrew Anderson and j. b.
Knowles, committee, on the part Of the corpora
ton, with the Niles Works, of Cincinnati, for a
new engine, which contract it was estimated would
cost upwards of $4,000.
In the contemplated improvement and cnlarg-
ing of the Water Works, the former Board of city
government has only gone so far as to contract
with the Niles Works. and to employ an engineer
to supcrntcnd the work. Your committee have
carefully investigated the whole subject, and by
the authority invested in them, obtained ;hc sery-
ices Of two well known machnists, Noble Ellis
and s. E.Joncs to aid them in their investigations
as to the present WatcrWorks and the capacity to
supply the demand foI water, and the contingent
cies by accidents or failure of the engineer and
machinest to continue to perform the service re-
quircd. After a fair and full investigation Of the
whole subject and the opinion of the engineer and
machinist above mentioned, that they dotermin-
ed machinery of our Water Works was in fair
condition. and with some improvements were
amply sufficient to perform the work required to
do the corporation of Nashville for the next seven
to ten years. That the large engine was working
as well a. when first built and erected The small
engine could be made subscrvicnt to the large one
and there existed no real necessity for the i'm
provemcnt at this time. The committee agreeing
unanimously in the foregoing, tho next question
for their consideration wa, the contract already
INIT info hot, all nd oil IN No Cd
to Cincinnati and there had an interview with the
President and Directors Of the Niles Works, and
explained to them that our mission was to cancel
the contract made with the corporation.
A total amount Of $4,000 was finally agreed on
as a settlement The corporation agreed to pay
the amount While we thought the amount full
one, yet we were unanimously of the opinion that
itwould resultin saving to the corporation very
large amount Of money.
We argue that at present prices we have dono
the best for the corporation in stopping this work
at the present time, and ask your concurrence in
our action.
The contemplated work would have cost over n
quarter Of million Of dollars. snd there is no cs
TINA ing what the whole cost would amount TO.
We beg to state for your information. that one of
the Directors Of the Niles Works informed US
that these inprovcmCnts--now engine and ma
chinery, twelve times the capacity of the new
work contracted 10 be built for $Sl OO0-haye al
ready cost over 100000, and the work is by no
means completed. We would beg further 10
state, that our population has decreased
in numbers at least $4,000. The decrease
grows out Of the removal of itincrant army fol-
lowers and large garrisons Of soldiers. in n word
we have returned to peace basis. with a popula-
ton not exceeding 10000; and rs our population
increases. and when our growth is commensurate
with the demands for new and largo improve
mcnts, in aud opinion and as we believe tho voice
Of your constituonts-wo will most cheerfully lend
our feeble aid in carrying it out, be it what it
may. With these views of yonr committee. and
having discharged our duties to tho best of our
ability, VIC beg 10 be relieved.
Very respectfully,
W. MArr BRowN. /
RoBr. THoPsoN, I Committee.
NJ. G. CoTT0N.
A. !. Duncan.
NOHfE ID. Ellis,
:. +. JoNFs,
EuEincog and Machinst.