Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1867-08-04
MORE OF THE RAILROAD CON-
TEST.
Another Gard from Mr. GIeaves.

Mr.. NJ. Burns says in note published in
| your Fridays issue, eff there had ever
| been any doubt of the moving cause of the
fierce contest which certain parties have
been actively waging against the present
| Board of Directors Of the Nashville and
Chattanooga Railroad Company, it would
be removed by the letter, or rather series of
letters inserted in your paper Of the 18th
inst, oyer~the signature Of Mr.. Gleaves."
l am at loss to know what is meant by
the above paragraph. The letter or series
of letters referred to, certainly show no
purpose on my part to do more than get
glance at Mr.. Burns books. When | ask to
see them, he replies, ooh, that terrible law
sui" Will Mr.. Burns explain to me and
the stockholders what the merits and de-
merits of that case have to do with the
books showing the management of the road
during his administration, and which
bears no connection with the law suit ?
If there is not something behind the screen,
the deformities of which are unsightly,
why Is he endeavoring TO keep il c)resaled
and covered up? Why does he not tear
away the veil and show what he has been
doing? He has all the books of the old
Board he had them carefully scrutinized
at cost of $1,000, and has published the
result to the world. This examination was
had by gentlemen of his own selection, and
who were engaged in the examination for
months Should not this be sufficient 50
far as the books of the old Board are con-
cerned Now | am refused an examination
OF, or access TO, the books of the Burns ad-
mnistrdtiOn, except upon terms dictated
IN | RI lv-a ftar
animation is gone over, similar to that of
the above named committee, which would
postpone the examination of his books I'M
til long after the election. My purpose is
TO have them in time for the election. Mr..
Burns purpose is to defeat that object. In
asmuch as he had had the books of the old
organization examined, wethought it proper
TO commence with his first, so as to place
them on equal footing with the books of |
the old Board. This he has uniformly and |
persistently declined. Upon what grounds |
Mr.. Burns alone can tell. 1t certainly wOuld |
be even handed justice 10 give persons in |
opposition to him the same access to books |
that he has himself | have no objection to |
an examination of all the books, but only |
want themexaminedin manner that would |
furnish proper information IN time for the |
election. He is publishing statements
which purport to come from his books, and |
from the books of the old organization,
many of which | insist are garJIed, and
with the purpose ofinhuencing the ensuing
election for directors. This we should not
do without giving those in opposition to
him the same privileges. He seems to be
as careful of his paper progeny that have
assumed the size and shape of railroad |
books as a tender mother would of her first
born. Should he not shOW his offspring to
the world, lest there may be some questions
of paternity raised And whilst | admit
they are still in their swaddling clothes,
they are old enough to have some marks
of family tdyor Then let us see whether
they are your books, or the books of some
other person, or any books at all. Let it
be distinctly understood that | have never
seen Mr.. Burns books, and it is not my
fault.
Mr.. Burns says in the same note, "No
bill in chancery shall be necessary to pro-
cure information from him. etc. Now,
Mr.. Burns, every dollar | made when
down South, unaccOunted for in my settle
ment, was made on my private, individual
account. This fact have stated-stated
under oath, IN my answer 10 the bill OF
the company against me and others de-
INJURED to the bill for various reasons, I'M
der the advice Of my counsel Among
other things, it is insisted in the bill that
my whole time should have been taken up
for the interest of the road, and that / had |
no right to devote any portion of it to
speculatiOns Of a private character. For
these and other reasons | demurred. Now |
let me ask you a question. You were
President of the Nashville and Chat
railroad for eighteen months before
you got possession of it, and before you
could be Of any possible benefit to the COM
pany as President. For this ! am informed
y0n pot $4,000 in greenbacks and l under
stand You made large sums of money
during that time in pirate speculations,
which | think you had the right to do.
Now, after you are turned out by the new
Board should they be so illiberal as TO file
a bill against you, asking an account Tor
what You made in private enterprises, by
selling goods on personal account, and
various other ways too tedious to mention,
would you not demur to the BILL and
would you not appeal to the Supreme Court
if your demurrer We're not sustained
w. A. GLEAYES.
August 3 1857.