Clarksville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1865-1867, 1866-02-16
To the Citizens Of Olarksville.

My connection with the municipal affairs Of the
City of Clarksville being at an end, it is proper
and due to her citizens that should give an ac-
count of my stewardship. reluctantly entered
upon the duties devolving upon The Mayor Of your
city, about the first of June last at the pressing
solicitation Of the Board Of Alderman, backed by
as urgent solicitations on the part Of many of her
most worthy and influential citizens---well know
ing that there must necessarily devolve upon any
ono who mightbe assigned to this post, weigbty
responsibilities, as all municipal affairs were
greatly deranged and embarrassed, as consequence
Of the war. On assuming the duties of Mayor,
found the condition of your city affairs much worse
than had imagined possible. Books records and
valuable papers either destroyed or misplaced
streets almost impossible from the and tear Of
the post four years--a treasury without funds
the prerogatives Of the city authorities not we'll
understood, Incl lent to new order Of things; 1t
being denied by many, our right to collect taxes
for the year 1852 although regular assessments and
tax lists'h been made in accordance with our
city charter. Our right to collect taxes for 1885,
was denied by many, or at least it was contended
that taxes for 1865 could be collected only for that
portion OF said year transpiring after proper as
sessmen and tax lists had been made and placed In
Tue uhIuS Ol our lily Mhfsuhl-OuE UdSiS IOT COi-
Letting revenue, much altered by recent act of
the Legislature, thereby requiring almost entire
alteration in our city revenue laws. Those with
many other difficulties, through proper committees
and the best legal advice, were one by one over
GOMEZ and II Is honestly believed that by the con-
inuance on the part of your city authoritesof the
same industry and energy that have chacterized the
present Board Of Aldermen, your city affairs will,
ere long, prove quite satisfactory to all. s.s
The Drespnt Indebtedness If vour city in rnund
numbers, is about two hundred thousand dollars
the items making this sum are, set forth 10 the
Treasurers report, which accompanies this report
You will see from the report Of the Street Com
mttee, hereunto attached, that the sum of sixteen
hundred dollars has been expended during the
past eight months on our Streets which are now
passabe, though not in as good. condition as desi
rable from the want of funds. ] would here men
ton that the financial embarrassments Of the city
rendered it impossible for her TO erect bridge over
Red river at the crossing of the Russellville pike
which was every way desired and called for for the
advancement Of the city's interest; and 1t was
deemed best to surrender to the GAINESVILLE and
Russellville Turnpike Company the franchise held
by the city, and which has been done, condition
that said company would, at once, commence
and speedily complete said bridge. The said Turn
pike Company having had the proper Legislation
effected, enabling them to proceed with the execu-
tion OF said bridge 1t is earnestly hoped there will
no longer be delay in the development of desra-
bic an end. You will see from the report Of the
Bridge Committee, that some forr or FIVE hundred
dollars had necessarily to be expended in the way
OF repairs, and that soon some other expenditures
will be required. l would state that the monthly
income from tolls on the brideg averages about
two hundred and fifty dollars; which, however,
Is not available for ordinary outlay for city pur-
poses.
In relation TO our Fire Department Il was found
In totally dilapidated and disorganized condition,
and though much time and some money hes been
spent to have our fire engines made effective, it
will still require some further outlay before they
can be relied upon in case Of FIRE. In this conneo-
ton would suggest or call upon the young men oil
our city TO organize themselves into a FIRE COM
pany, for soon one more good engines will be in
readiness for efficient use, and will be fur
nished for keeping their apparatus, uniforms and
holding their meetings.
4 Il was deemed prudent few months back &c
increase our City Police, some daring street rob
berries having been committed. This, though quite
a draft on our treasury, for the present, it is
hoped will, ere long, frame better condition OF
things, incident to II complete ana thorough re.
est 5lishment Of civil authority, no longer be re-
CURED. Y~ slss r.
| would state further for Your information that @
. bill has been introduced in the Legislature fol
funding the present debt Of the city, which will
no doubt soon become law.
/ cannot close this communication without
statement Of some OF the circumstances of very
recent date, which have cast gloom over oul
city, and greatly tended 70 decrease both our popu
lation and business-l allude to that loathsomt
disease. Smal-Pox, which is now, and has been fol
two or three months past, quite prevalent in ant
around our city--largey predominating among
our coored population, and amongst whom it hal
proved quite falkland whom you are aware, ar,
lily prepared to provide against its ravages-being
, for the most part occupants Of miserable huts-
many crowded together in one small hut, men
women and children. Many dying daily, having
to be sent to the pest-hOuse there TO be nursed
I. nourished and watched over by Physician, ant
In case of death to be buried oil Of which, owing
to circumstances not now necessary to mention
devolved upon the city authorities for the time be
ing The matter assuming, at length, so serious
phase as to compel the city authorities to geek thu
cooperation Of the Freedmens Bureau and th,
County Court, and | am pleased to state that from
both sources pecuniary aid has been afforded. Thi
has been truly distressing period for our city, Blu
the emergency has been met as best it could un
der the circumstances, and It Is now hoped and be
leved that from the precautionary measures adop
ted that speedily this loathsome disease will en-
tirey disappear from among us.
. Having called your attention to most OF thu
leading matters connected with our city affairs,
will close this communication, by stating my firm
belief in bright future for our young and growing
!. city. J. COBB.
ARRESTED ON THE CHARGE or TREAsoS.-A Dep