Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1867-08-10
THE RAILROAD WAR-ORDER Oh
SECRETARY STANTON.
To The Editors Of the Union and Dispatch.

To the Editors Of the Union and Dispatch
There are just two points of any impor-
lance, as the writer apprehends, in " the
railroad imbroglio," Of which we now read
so much in the daily papers. The first is:
If the friends Of V. X. Stevenson should
succeed, will such Board withdraw the
heavy suit against Stevenson, Cole and
Gleaves? This is question as important
as delicate; but, as il savors much Of per
sonal pickering, the writer would prefer to
avoid il. The other question Is much
more important than the first namely; Ii
change should be made in the present
officers of the road, what course will the
War Department take concerning the lien
Of the government upon the Nashville and
Chattanooga railroad for the purchase
money due for machinery and rolling stock
purchased from the United States at the
close Of the war? And what course, as re-
CARDS the claim Of the Nashville and Chat
tanooga railroad company against the gov
ernment for three and half Millions
claim which the present President, Mr.
Burns, brought to light, and is prosecuting
with his usual zeal and ability? II must
be understood by the stockholders, that
there is still debt due from the road to
the United States, as above referred TO,
| which amounts to about fourteen hun
1 dred thousand dollars-ihat for this
| debt lien rests upon the road
and the War Department claims
the right 10 seize the road at any time for
the enforcement of this lien. 1t is further
known that President Burns has, by his
skillful negotiations, sustained by the conh-
dence reposed in him by the War Depart
ment, obtained a continuance Of the indul
gence Of the department pending the resdii
| OF the prosecution of the claim Of the road
for the much larger sum above-named; and
until, by reason of the restored prosperity
Of the country, the money could be paid,
| even If the claim Of the road should not be
allowed But it is equally well known
that the Railroad Company is absolutely
dependent on the good will Of the Nar
Department for a further suspension of the
enforcement lien, and for the ultimate pay
ment of the claim Of the road. The none
tary interest involved in these two sums, 4
sufficiently large itself 80 induce reasonable
men TO consider what may be the etemper anc
disposition Of the War Department towards
each Of the contending parties ia this "Rail
road War" but, when we consider further
the possible seizure and holding of the roaC
by the War Department, the interest is in
creased. What then is known of this ques
lion? Why simply this That The War De
parimeBt has issued orders 20 ten Ihoma
commanding him 10 seize the Nashville
and Chattanooga railroad, for the enforce
meni Of she lien Of the government n
case Of the election Of Stevenson to piac
in the control CT the road And although
this order does not in words speak Of th
3 election Of Stevenson's friends, yet it !
well understood that whenever necessary
Wlli be 50 modified as to apply not L
J Stevenson personally, but to his party
hls order Is not based upon any party con
= sideraiions but upon these Tie Seeretar
n Of War naturally thinks, that if the rail
road Is 90 be put back into the hands ofth
= pa-iy who stand under accusation befor
tn, courts Of having run OF the rollin
!. stock Of the road daring the war, and use
0 il iraudulently for their own private pui
e poses-in that case il is time for the de
. partment to look alter the interest Of Ii
government BY enforcing its lien. To NAL
i short, the department which holds Il
road and It's interests completely IN ]