Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1867-07-28

NASHVILLE, July "A, l867.-W 4.
GIeqpes, Esg.-Dear SIR TX reference to
the proposed examination Of the books Of
Mr.. Burns administration Of the affairs of
the Nashville and Chattanooga Railroad, /
have by my article published or sent to the
press for, publication, terminated my con-
i nection with that matter. [ went into the
thing upon your assertion that yon did not
believe the books would be opened to us for
examination.
Ny article shows the position am now
by the facts compelled to take, and it is due
TO you to say that your suspicious were cor
rect, and that l was wrong. / confess
frankly that l was mistaken in my man.
am yours, etc,
JOHN CoLTART.
In his letter of the 20th, Mr.. Burns
opens with this remark, "My attention has
been called to publication in the Banner
| of the 18th inst, wherein you desire the
privilege of examining the books" Why
! does Mr.. Burns begin his letter with such
language? except 20 create the impression
upon stockholders and the public that he
| had never heard Of the matter before, when
we had been for four daystrying to get access
to the books, as shown by Capt. Coltart's
letter, an extract from which l here insert
for republication:
"On FIRST application for this examination,
Col. Bosom was set apart by Mr.. Burns,
more than week ago, to go into the ex-
animation. Capt Anderson and myself
went to the depot at the hour appointed,
and were informed by Mr., Burns hat it
was impossible to proceed, as Col. Bosom
was examining the accounts of the
Treasurer. We were, however before we
left, assured by MIR. Burns that Col. Hill.
Claiborne would 60 into the examination
with Capt. Anderson at 8 o'clock next
morning. Punctual to time, we called on
| Col. -, who for reasons giyn to the pub
| lic he, etofore, declined the investigation.
after waiting for hours on that day, we
we're informed b. NJ. Burns that "pe
must cdiL" VI did, nd have waited to
the present hour, and Notwithstanding
every effort to get an investigation of the
| particular operations Of the road, ] have
been sent and referred, first from one man
to another, aud finally to iagyers; aud men
only resort to lawyers when in difficulty"
Until the appearance of this letter of
Mr. Burns, We had heard nothing OF
placing uecoaatplis ander oath, Or commehc-
ing the examination of the books from
1861 10 the beginning OF Mr.. Burns admin
istration, before that administration could
be Investigated, nor any reference to
lawyers. These conditions Of Mr.. Burns
were after thoughts, cunningly devised, but
50 shallow in conception and so trans
parent in purpose, as to render them sim
| ply ridiculous. From the same letter | ex-
| tract another morsel. "Mr Gleaves / pre-
sume knew the motives he had for making
the request, and therefore was aware of its
unreasonableness." / believe Mr.. Burns
honest here, and while il never was by any
other previous manager Of the road, con-
sldered unreasonable TO give stockholders
access TO the books and papers Of the com
| pany, vet he proves his sincerity by the
very conditions and obstacles he placed in
the way Of the investigation. lie must pre-
sume largely upon the credulity or gldli-
| biiity of the public and the stockholders
when he asserts in his last paper now be-
| fore me, that Capt. Cotart is in error, in
stating that no obstacles had been thrown
in the way, when in fact, he has done
nothing else. And after the publication o.
Capt. Coltart's letter, to deny it, is only tC
render the fact more apparent.
Mr. Burns in referring to his letter O
the 24th, says The proposition in that
letter uls accepted" That Mr.. Burns should
make such an assertion is most extra.
ordinary, when he must know, and a
moments reflection will convince him, that
so Car as | am concerned such is not the
case.
| 1 addressed the following letter to Mr.
| Burns in reply to his communication Of
the 20th, and it was delivered into Mr.
| Burns own hands And vet not a ,U0rd IN
| repiu has been reoeiusa from Il, and the pub.
lie is left to decide who accepted or de
clined
NASHVILLE, July 20, lS67.-M Burns
ESq., PreS't Of NashCiiie and CAQtdaoogc
| Rairodd-SIR: | sent you a note yester
day requesting information as 10 the
amount paid and unpaid for wood and Goa
purchased during the twenty and hal
months, and the parties and corporation
from whom the same was purchased. Thi
note was signed by me alone. You, il
what you term a reply to il, address Mr.
Coltart in connection with myself Mr.
Bumes why did you do this? Mr.. Collar
had nothing 10 DO with or any knowledg
of the communication sent 70 you over m
own signamre-beside this--your reply i
not a response to he specific information
sought at your hands In your communi
cation you said shat your attention ha
been called 70 a communication in the Re
plHiodR Banner the 18th inst, express
ing a desire 20 examine the books OF In
Nashville and Chattanooga Railroad Com
panv Mr. Burns, be frank, was not you
attention called 10 the same fact By priyat
communication before any publication
was made in the BaEaer, aud did You nc
excuse yourself upon the ground that yO
had not time etc And | now suhml
to Won Sir. ID il had not been much NOR
liberal on your part 90 have furnished n
every facility desired in the examinatlo
of vour books, especially as You we're issu
ipg campaign documents, based ostenslbl
on facts aud figures contained IN the book
These documents as / insist, were onl
, 5arble8 extracts from the books No
mast remember Mr.. Burns that You seal
tered those documents broad cast sever
days ago Wonld it not have been bette
ior YOU 10 have furnished me the informs
! tion from your books as requested IN "a
private communication above alluded q
\ | which have become public by your aoiIo
aud by your action alone This informs
4 tion would have enabled me 20 meet YOU
. documents, assertions, etc, in time Tor Oh
election. Notwithstanding this, 1 acceI
!. your proposition, and viii attend al one
u With Mr. Anderson, with the distinct al
s der7tandipg that all your books, paper
70 etc, not only IN your general Office, 5g
those OF Your shops etc, are submitted an
that the book-keepers elected by Us has
! the right not only 10 examine your bool
) and accounts but 10 interrogale any oificii
6 from Ehom information is desired
Respectfully,
W. A. CLEAN ~.
Mr.. Burns has been scattering his doc