Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-08-21


meeting N REGARD TO Low Rents
An adjourned meeting, in relation to the re-
duction Of rents, was held at the Chamber
of Commerce, yesterday afternoon. The
business men Of the city were well represent
ed. On motion, W. F. CHEATAM, Esq, was
called to the Chair, and the members Of the
press appointed Secretaries. The committee
appointed at the last meeting then presented
the following report, which was read by ].
J. MCCANN, Esq:
The undersigned your committee 10 whom was
referred the preparation Of an address 20 the
property owners Of the City Of Nashville looking
% reduction Of rents, would respectfully report
that they have had the same under consideration
and recommend the following:
To the property holders and agents Of property
hDfde . "a he GIN Of NushUtAe: The undersigned
mcrchahants and renters Of this city respectfully
and urgently ask q reduction Of the present high
rents 10 reasonable figure and ask a patient eK-
animation Of the statement Of facts hereinafter
set forth. Prior 20 the unhappy civil conflict
through which cur country has passed, the vaTl-
Gus communities upon which we were dependent
for trade, were IN state Of unparalleled pros
Derity: the agricultural. mechanical, commercial
and industrial departments Of those communities
were complete and as near perfect a. could be eX-
pected in all their various ramitcatiOns Prosper
lty. plenty and comfort were to be seen upon
every hand; the labor system Of the entire south
was in complete order and under this favorable
aspect Of affairs we we're charged only two humid
red and fifty 10 twenty -dye hundred dollars rent
for our present business houses. the latter rate
being the price obtained for some Of our finest
business houses on the Public Square and other
elegant points in the city and was more Of an e1-
ccptOn than the general rates Of rents through the
city for our dwellings. We paid from two hundred
aud hftg - seven hundred and fifty dollars, (the
above illusions being made only to first class
houses within the corporate limits.) In briefly
reviewing our present situation and comparing 1t
with the period anterior to the war; we find that
We are charged rent for the same premises in no
instance less than double the former rate, and in
many instances quadruple the amount, and that
too 10 the face Of devastated country, our fields
and villages laid waste, our people almost impOv-
crushed with nominaily no capital bat their enter
Prise and industry, and IN consequence thereof a
general dIminuitiOn in trade. We are taxed up
on every hand; in order 70 sustain our business
We cannot sell bill, give check, or obtain bill
Of lading without putting two cent stamp up
on il.
We are taxed one-tenth Of one per cent on all
sales OF merchandise by the United States Gov
eminent IN addition 20 sharing IN common with
you the direct and income tax. We are taxed by
the city, taxed by the county and enormously
taxed by the State, amounting in the aggregate 70
fully three per cent more than they did prior 70
the war.
The rapid appreciation in prices Of commodities
Of merchandise growing out Of the Inflated cOndi-
ton Of the currency, has required the constant
use Of three times the amount Of capital formerly
employed at time when tho political situation is
Of such nature as TO destroy confidence 10 an eI-
tent permitting the purchase Of goods otherwise
than for cash, which prior TO the warwe obtained
on four 10 six months time The time which we
are compelled TO give our customers at present
being denied to Us. Formerly VIC had large
amounts Of banking capital in our city which has,
If not swept away by the TRvages Of war, dwind ed
almost into perfect insignifcance. The heavy dis
ordinations Of our Railroads against and many
minor causes, not here enumerated, coupled with
the present high rents m addition 10 the TACT that
the violent fluctuations in the gold market are
continually unsetting rates, renders our business
game Of mere chance compared with former
times. We would further represent that Il IS not
alone the rent Of our stOrehOuses and dwellings,
which is affecting US, but the prOpOrtiOnnte high
rents paid By the attaches Of our establishments
renders Il necessary TO pay eXOrbitant salaries TO
our employees. We have by examination ascer-
tanned that rents are comparatively much higher
in this city than elsewhere, Notwithstanding the
difficulties under which VIC labor. We know that
without a large population no sity can be OF
much importance.
Agriculture builds up tho country, mnnufacto-
res and commerce The city having no manutac-
tories scarcely, the only dependence is upon com
merce. We therefore believe that II is not only
the duty, but tho interest Of property holders to
reduce their rents. IL is fact well established
that the present high rents are not only driving
many persons from the city, but preventing othert
from coming. We are satisfied that you will cheer
fully and promptly accede to this request when
you understand the facts. with the same llbcTallty
aHd fairness which has formerly characterized
your transactions. And in conclusion we assure
you that nothing but necessity prompts our action
in the premises