Tri-weekly union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-186?, 1866-09-29
VOLUME XXXIII.
THE MUNICIPAL ELECTION.

i AZ hiluli1 iui utuiliCli NDtclo W O-hioi ~"
is, what good can be accomplished by a
change in the administration Of the city
government VIII the substitution Of Mr..
SoovEL for Mayor Brown lessen the city
debt or Tighten the load of taxation? The
corporation finances have been managed
during the past year with judgment, and
the credit Of the city is in as good condition
as it could possibly be after the four years
in which the city was little more than an
army garrison, spending without revenue.
The dilapidated condition Of the streets have
required large expenditures, but they have
been made wisely; while other institutions
have been maintained at an economical
| point. The rate Of taxation has been sensi-
bly, reduced, and with prudent financial
management may, and will be further re-
duced. There is, and can be no reasonable
exception to this feature of the city admin
istration. Does Mr.. ScovEL's Radical
reign promise TO relieve or still further en-
cumber the city finances? If there is one
thing to be looked forward to with certainty,
under his election, il will be the prompt in
auguration Of the Metropolitan police sys-
TEN, Of which he is an advocate. VIII this,
with the enormous salaries attached, and
the limitless, lawless and unrestricted power
Of taxation which goes with it, improve
the condition Of the city exchequer, or lessen
the burdens Of municipal government on the
tax payer? Let sensible men answer the
question, and act accordingly.
Can the proposed change prove a benefit
to the public school system? Within the
term Of Mayor BRowN, the disorganization
resulting from the war, has been reduced to
order. The new school districts necessary
from the enlargement Of the corporate
limits of the city have been laid Off School
edifces have been provided for them, ard
the whole machinery again been placed in
successful operation. Is there any ground
to expect Mr.. SoovEI. during whose whole
experience as city official the public
schools were closed, could improve this i'm
portant department of the city interests?
The Fire Department is in a state of COM
plete organization; and we believe that
fewer disastrous fires have occurred within
the past year than in any previons one since
Nashville has been a city. Has Mr.. ScovEL
any superior qualifications over the present
Mayor in experimenting this branch Of pub
lie business2 If so, the public have yet to
see it.
The same remark may be made of the
Water Department, the custody and disposal
of Public property, the Cemetery, etc, etc.
These, a well as the matters of Finance,
and Fire and Schools, are in the immediate
chargeo of capable committees, but the Mayor
is the head Of the city government, and is
supervisor over the general execution Of
laws and ordinances He is responsible to
great extent, and is entitled to credit when
the duties of municipal government are ac-
ceptably performed.
There are, however, two features connect
ed with city affairs which are worthy of
special notice The first is the streets and
alleys. All that has been projected and
contracted for in this respect, as a system,
by the present administration, is not COM
pleted, but it is within the observation of
every one that Nashville to-day has more
scientifically and more solidiy constructed
streets than it has ever had, and that the
work Of improvement is in progress all
over the city This is due to the vigor
and enterprise of the present city gov
eminent Carping critics and local fault
finders may object to certain measures,
but the streets Of Nashville are an honor
to the officials now in Office, and no
man can gainsay the fact The sec
ond feature is the police organization. When
Mayor BRowN came into authority it was
unsafe to be upon the streets at night. The
city press teemed with accounts of murders
and robberies. Life and property were alike
insecure. In three months his energy had
organized police corps and his vigilance
had punished and repressed crimes of this
sort to such an extent, that from being one
Of the most lawless cities in the country, our
fifty thousand population can scarcely af-
ford material for more than petty misdemean-
or trials before police court. The excellence
of the police system Of this city was borne
witness 10 by the most strenuous advocates
of the Metropolitan system, and indeed has
been the chief means Of thus far preventing
that imposition on the taxpayers of the city.
These are considerations to be weighed by
sensible and conscientious voters, and we
trust that no citizen, whatever his political
feelings may be, will pass them by. Mayor
BRowN has done his whole duty He has
displayed no partizanship or favoritism, and
known no distinction among localities or
citizens in the discharge of his duty.