Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1868-11-11
IMPORTANT MEETING OF TAX
PAYERS.
They Declare against the .'Usurpers.'
A Bill to be Filed EDiOinInS the
Present City Council from
Issuing Checks.
Another Meeting to be held at Masonic
Hall Tonight.

Present City Council from
Issuing Checks.
Another Meeting to be held at Masonic
Hall Tonight.
Every taxpayer Expected 10 be
Present.
An enthusiastic meeting Of a number OF |
.he taxpayers was held last night. On
motion of Isaac Paul, Esq, Maj. B. S.
Rhea was called to the chair.
Col. A. S. CoIyar being present, was
called upon to state the objectS of the meet
ing. He said that within the past few days
he had found a large number of persons
talking about the enormous taxes, and 1t
had been deemed advisable to hold pub
lie meeting, with a view of taking some
steps, looking to the protection of the rights
of our citizens. There were many in the
city that doubted the practicability OF at
tempting any movement to oust the present
city usurpers, because Of their doubts that
it could not be done legally, but those that
had doubted most, nov since the decision
of the Chancellor, believed that sub
ssantial relief could be had, and
those men were now loudest in their de-
mands for the overthrow of the city ring.
1t was not doubted by any of the legal
gentlemen that had been consulted, that
the tax had been levied illegally. Some
had hitherto believed that as they were
regarded as the officers in fact, that moth
ing could be done, but the Chancellor had
decided that they were usurpsrs-thst the
Court had the power to displace, enjoin
them and put them out of office. They
were usurpers upon the state OF facts, in
not being the owners of the real estate re-
quired by law. No doubt the Court would
also enjein them from issuing checks,
when it was shown how they were squan-
dering the peoples money. If anything
can be done to overthrow parcel OF men
who were literally bankrupting the city
and the people, it should be done immedi-
ately. They had recently paid some
judgments in the Federal Court. It had
been done by issuing checks, and putting
them on the market, and checks would
continue to be issued whenever it was
necessary. For one he could not MAN.
tain his seIf-respect, and remain idle
in matter which so deeply
affected the rights of the citizens. He
never yet saw a united people fail IN
lust cause. The Judges on the bench
would not dare 10 deny the peoSle their
rights if appealed to. He had hoped 10
see a larger meeting than was present
tonight. Unfortunately some of the lar
gest tax payers had already paid their
taxes, thus giving these usurpers the
privilege of stealing the money and rob-
bing the people. He for one was deter
mined to pay his taxes when he was COM
PEELED to, and then he would be relieved
from the humiliation Of the thing. lie
thought the Finance Committee of last
year should be held responsible for all the
money they had made upon the sale Of
checks. That money which had gone into
one of the banks properly belonged to the
CITY. He did not desire TO put himself
forward in this meeting. He expected to
do his whole duty 10 the State and Federal
government, bat could never bow his knee
to the miserable scamps who had control
of the city government.
DR.. Hoyte remarked that il had been
suggested that there had been consulta'
ton between some of the leading attorneys,
with view of taking the matter into COZ.
sideration, and if so he would like Colonel
Colyar to submit the plans if not prema'
ture.
Colonel Colyar remarked that there had
been no general consultation. He though
he knew the opinion of the legal gentle
men Of the city, and was Satisfied frolr
what he had heard that relief could b'
had. His suggestion would be the appoint
ment of a committee to canvass the city
and get the consent of the taxpayers t:
file bill.
Captain Driver made some spicy remark
on the subject, and moved that resolution
be drawn up, and those present be allowed
the privilege of subscribing their names
He was a poor man, hut would contribute
s. to aid in filing bill.
The motion of Captain Driver was thel
put and carried, and the following paPe
drawn up, and signed by those present:
ave the undersigned citizens and tax
PAYERS Of Nashville hereby authorize anC
direct the policy of bill or bills agains
the present acting corporate authorities e
prevent them from collecting taxes, anc
from wronging the citizens by the imprc
per issue of checks and otherwise to pro
tect the rights of the citizens"
The Chair then announced the folIowin
Committees from the respective wards
wait upon the taxpayers and solicit thei
names in accordance with the above pa
per:
First Ward-John Coltart, r b Cssll,
man, ThOs Farrell.
Second Ward-J c Wand, Henry Am
broSe, B H Barkhorn.
Third Ward--K J Morris, Phineas Ga
rett, DR.. Richards.
Fourth Ward-O Noel, NJ S Bcantley
81 Sigman.
Fifth Ward NJ Hawkins, T D CraiG
head, W NJ Brown.
Sixth Ward W Wilson, James Hay
ME, VIM Dews.
Seventh Ward-Isaac Paul, J B Lind
ley, Philip Breen.
Eighth Ward-M c Cotton, John Taul
sIey, G J Zautchell.
Ninth Ward-D II Ware, A KarscI
DR. + ManlOye.
Tenth Ward-LK Spain, P L Nicho
Nc d A Nolen.
Central Communicable J W Hoyt
Robert Thompsoa, ThO3 Halle.
On motion, the Chairman, Maj. b.
Rhea, was added 10 the Central Commi
| tee.
Dr.. J. w. Hoyte then made some a
rropriate remarks, suggesting that a
other meeting take place at Ma'onic Hal
A motion vas then made authorizir
the Central Committee TO procure Il
Masonic Temple for the meeting to-nigt
when an adjournment took place.
deduction in cotton Tariff.