Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-08-28

MEETING IN FAVOR OF Low RESrs.-
The adjourned meeting of our business men
favorable to the reduction Of rents, met at
the Chamber Of Commerce yesterday after
noon.
Mr.. r. B. CHEATHAM, upon taking the
chair, stated that a committee was appointed
and instructed to report in regard TO certain
measures.
The committee, however, was not prepared
10 report and asked further time.
Mr.. CHEArHAM said that he had seen a
number Of the landlords Of Nashville, and
they all expressed themselves as ready and
willing to reduce the rentsnext year. Atthe
present time we were bound by agreement
TO pay our present rate Of rents for this year,
and il was optional with the landlord whe-
Their il was reduced or not
Mr.. McCAES said, that we had been IN
fairly dealt with. He would volunteer his
services and lease vacant lots, put up build
ings, and then we would have cheap rents
He thought our merchants could get smaller
premises. Let US invite propositions from
the owners Of vacant lots to be sent to the
Chamber of Commerce, as to how would
they lease their lands. Letus buy government
buildings, or put up shanties and then see if
the rents will not come down. He had oc-
cupied his present premises for some time,
and knew what they cost. They had doubled
on his rent, and he would take measures to
defend himself Ask any wholesale mer-
chant what his profits are, and he viii tell
you that they are not half so much as they
used to be when low rents were in vogue.
Unless we retrench and reform we are ruined.
He had worked as hard as any man and had
not made dollar. Rents and clerk hire
swallowed up everything. Let us advertise
to the owners of vacant lots, put up cheap
buildings, and take care Of ourselves.
Mr.. CHEATHAM said that he had made a
personal appeal to the landlords to reduce
the rents. He was gratifed to hear that
Mr.. BURNS and Mr.. BRowNLEEhad reduced
their rents One Of the landlords had re-
marked that it cost double to putup a house.
He replied that it was because they were
charged so high. Mr.. MARTIN, in the
UNION AND AMERICAN block paid $4,000 a
year. lie had no alternative, without his
landlord reduced his rent He had to pay
it, unless the landlord was generous enough
to reduce it. If the landlords and the
tenants get to quaTreling, the tenants might
get the worst of it.
Mr. Mills said that we must unite on
some definite plan Of action. A petition
should be signed, setting forth to the land
lords the facts. Let five hundred of our
business men sign such a petition, and it
might be of some effect If there is an ex-
cess Of houses TO rent, rents are bound to
come down. Before the war there we're
many residents who derived revenue from
sugar and cotton. But that revenue is gone,
and the prospect is not fattering. Necessi-
ty, dire necessity, should compel the land
lords to reduce their rents
One gentleman suggested that the land
lords be invited 10 meet US here, that dis
cnssion might ensue, on Wednesday after
noon, at 3 o'clock, which was carried, and
the Secretary instructed to give the invita-
ton. The landlords, therefore, will please
come.
Mr. MCCAIN offered the following resolu-
tioa, which was adopted
Resolred, That each and every renter be
requested to confer with their respective
landlords with regard to their rents and re-
port at our next meeting the amount of rent
nov paid, and the deduction they can OBJ
tain for another year; and also what reduc
ton they can obtain for the remainder Of
this year.
On motion, the meeting adjourned until
Wednesday at 3 P. ST.