The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1866-04-12
Message Of The Mnrnr.

a.
such information rs he may see proper, t.
the end that your legislative action may b
for the best interests OF our fellow citizens
deem it a duty, at this particular time
to recapitulate our labors for the past SIX
months. We came into Office in October
last, soon after q wasting and destructive
war, and while the city was the head
quarters Of a very considerable portion o
the United States Army, with police part
~ military and partly civil-with our pub
he fchools closed, and streets in dilapi-
dated condition. Il is proper, therefore, e
take Retrospective view Of our work. the
better TO comprehend what is necessary 70,
the future.
The large amount Of work now going for
ward on various streets, with a school sys-
lem in full and successful operation, with
however, inadequate means OF support, save
| BY the use Of portion Of the funds of the
City Treasury, makes it apparent that some
extraordinary means will be required 10
raise the nsces airy amount Of money 10
complete the work.
The vast amount Of labor now being ex-
| pended on the streets, is an effort to MAGE
] good and durable thoroughfares in portions
Of the city where they are mostly needed.
Owing to the constant and heavy hauling
done by immense numbers Of army wagons
during the war, and the passing to and fro
Of heavy artillery, ambulanees and other
appliances pertaining 10 the army, our prin-
clple streets were necessarily worn out to a
considerable extent, and were in such q con-
dItion as TO render a large amount Of labor
absolutely necessary.
Il therefore became an object Of impor-
lance, Immediately after our Induction
into Office, either 10 undertake to make
good and durable streets, or to continue
patching on q large scale, and yet have
nothing satisfactorily accomplished.
Your Street Committee, by order Of the
City Council, determined to ct least attempt
10 make a. once good and permanent streets
Is the cheapest mode, in the end, for the
good Of all.
Contracts were accordingly let out to tho
amount Of one hundred thousand dollars,
while your honorable Council has ordered
enough more to cost the sum Of about forty
thousand dollars.
A briet reference to the Jobs already done
or now in progress, viii satisfy you and the
public Of the necessity Of the work or
dered.
The Lebanon Pike, in the Southern part
OF the city, was, when the present Mayor
and City Council came into Office, in a very
bad condition; while Cherry street, south
Of the cemetery, was impossible.
Both streets have been newly McAdam-
lied and are now in good order. South
Union street, between High and Spruce, has
been thoroughly put in passable condi-
ton, while the same may be said Of South
and North Market, Spring street, Watkins
Avenue, and other thOroughfares.
Wooden sidewalks have been put down
on South Market, Cherry and Summer,
across the Wilson spring branch. A bridge
on North High street, across the Lick
branch, similar to the one on Summer, has
been ordered.
On Cherry street, between Spring Tor
church, and Cedar, an experiment is going
on 10 test the value and use of the NichOl-
ton pavement. This is a portion Of the city
very much Travelled, and if this species Of
pavement answers the expectations Of its
Hiends,i similar ones can be put down in
O. her streets. If these expectations ars not
fulfilled, the system can be at once aban-
dOned. The length Of this pavement is
lO4O feet, and viii cost the sum Of $4,000
for the entire job.
A considerable portion Of Union street
has been McAdamized and graveled. Col
lege street, from Broad 10 the Public Square,
is being newly metaled, and will soon be in
an excellent condition.
A large sewer is in process Of construc-
ton on High street, running from Spring
street south--an improvement long needed,
ane one that wall be of great service in a
sanitary point Of view.
A new and more substantial bridge is now
in process of construction on North Market
street, which is an Improvement greatly
needed and long since demanded.
In addition TO this and other work not
mentioned, new and superior stone tagging
has been placed upon most Of the streets
named, and the pavements relsid, confor-
matOry 70 a regular grade at the expense
Of the property holders Immediately con-
cerned. The ordinary tax levy will not
produce sufficient funds to complete the
public Improvements now IN progress. And
this makes it necessary for the City COAncil
TO adopt some other mode Of raising revenue.
can myself only suggest the plan of issu-
ing bonds to q certain amount, with coupons
attached, for the payment of interest semi
annually, and 10 DC payable twenty years
after date-placing the same in market with |
the understanding that they shall not be |
sold for less than minimum price, (Which |
may be fixed from time 10 time by the City |
Council.
The amount Of these bonds is an item of
great importance.
Not a dollar more than is absolutely nee
essary should be issued, 10 accomplish the
purpose, as large public debt is not at all
desirable.
Hence, this measure, suggested by the
Finance Committee (whose labors and serv-
ices have been worthy Of all praise) has
already engrossed your closest attention,
and you have decided upon issuing Corpo-
ration Bonds to the amount Of $4,000 the
least possible amount required.
This will not be a very large addition TO
our comparatively small funded debt, and
need not be increased unless circumstances
Of the most imperative character shall in
future demand it. At present no necessity
81 srT Ia prnnnr lauia-
lauve action on the part Of the General As
sembly of Tennessee is now only necessary
TO put the required amount of bonds on the
market, when we can offer capitalists a
safe, sure and profitable investment Of their
means. The rate of taxation for the pres
ent year, which you will have to fix by law
ct an early day, is a matter worthy Of your
serious attention. Our people, as general
thing, are not in a condition TO comply with
any unreasonable demands in this respect,
end the burtEen should be made as light Is
possible in view Of all the surrounding cir
cumstances. The rate of taxes last year
was fraction over two per cent. which is
more than our tax payers can afford TO pay
this year, burthened, as they will be, with
other taxes imposed by the General and
Stute Governments, and by the county Of
Davidson.
therefore respectfully recommend that
the rate Of taxation for the year 1866 shall
not exceed thirteen mills COBB in the dol
lar for corporation ard school purposes
combined-say ten and half mills (I01zl
for corporation purposes and two and half
mills .OO2) for school purposes.
Ny estimate is made up after careful
consideration Of the subject in all its tear
ings, in view Of our present condition, and
after consultation with gentlemen presumed
TO be well informed on this question. In
order 10 see how this amount Of $500 taxa
ton on each 100000 worth Of property
will work practically, and to show its rela-
tive standing with rates for previous years,
il will be proper to examine former rates,
and herewith annex the rates for the pre-
ceding six years: