Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1868-08-15

| Michael Burns. Esq, and the Nash
vile and Chattanooga BSiIroAa-
We uabiish this morning With unmixed
pleasure the appended resolutions, adopted
! at their meeting on the LIST inst, Of the late
Directory Of the Nashville and ChattanOo-
"a railroad in compliment to their Presi-
dept-Michael Burns, Esq. The terms in
which they alluae to bis services do no
more than jHstiee 10. Mr. Burns, and win
be indorsed By al who are Informed IN re-
gard TO The administration Of the affairs Of
that company while under his control. Il
is a just tribute 70 a philosophical citizen
who, for the past three years, has lsbored
faithfully, and in the midst Of various and
extraordinary einbarrassfnents, successfully
TO liberate great enterprise from the wreck
Of war, and make it useful to the public
and remunerative TO its stockholders. Ii Is
proper, in explanation Of this action of he
Board, and in view Of the recent transfer
Of the road to 4 new Directory, to state that
Mr.. Burns rendered his resignation Of the
Presidency some three or four months since,
but it, acceptance was declined by the
Board, and he was solicited 10 retain the
position until the annual meeting OF the
stockholders on the 12lh instant, when il
was known he would positively decline
10 seek reelection. OIL
When Mr.. Burns assumed the manage
ment Of the road, it had been, for three
wears. Ia possession lof the coRtendihg
81 d Il
fer most Of the time in its whole extentin
that Of the Federal army. Asa safe and
serviceable road it was in ruins, having
suffered the fate Of all roads 80 used, and
| only passable for trains by such patciling
as military exigencies made necessary. Its
rolling stock and most Of lis Workshops
were dismantled; its depot buildings and
Offices in dilapidatiOn and confusion; and
its whole condition requiring complete re-
Mobilization, With Characteristic energy
Mr.. Burus proceeded 10 repair the road
and It's appurtensneesg and re-stock i for
the uses Of commerce and travel, and in a
brief time, this was accomplished; and the
work Of the road for the greater part of
his administration, has been successful
in every respect In addition TO difhcnl-
ties of this character, the road came into
the hands Of Mr.. Burns and his Board with
heavy Indebtedness to the United States
government incurred by the stringent terms
Of the Federal War Department, and to
meet these engagements, and those due the
State government, and the current ex-
penses Of its operations, has been task,
the successful performance of which has
required administrative capacity of the I
FIRST order, and unlagging energy.
This is not the proper occasion TO refer
TO other complications and troubles which
have euyironed its management during the
past three years, growing out Of internal
differences aud litigations, and the forma-
lion Of two parties among the stockholders.
OF the merits Of that controversy we have
no right or desperation 20 speak, and only
refer 10 it as one of the difficulties which
has attended Mr.. Burns administration,
and taxed his capacity TO successfully con-
duct the road. All Of these, too, have been
forced upon him while engaged in the man
agement Of another line Of road, surround
ing which, troubles even more harrassing
have continually lowered.
We have deemed, in publishing the reso-
buttons Of his late associates in the Direc-
tory, bearing high testimony TO his skill
-
public journal which has been the chroni-
cler of the leading events in Mr.. Burns
administration of the Nashville and Chat
tanooga road. BY vote of its owners, it
has now passed into other al.l capable
hands, and will doubtless, under The vigor-
GUS and experienced management ofPresi-
dent Cole and his Directory, who have the
entire confidence Of the public, be success
fully and proftably conducted. We are
sure, however, that Mr.. Burns carries with
him, in his retirement, as the sentiment
and wish Of this community, that expressed
in the following resolutions:
Resolved, That as our official connec-
ton with NJ Burns, Esq, now and for three
years past President Of this road, is soon TO
cease, we deem il but an act of justice to
express our high appreciation Of the inter
est, integrity and efficiency which he has
constantly manifested in the discharge of
his official duty, in directing the varied in
terests of this company. under embarrsss-
ments unequalled in the past history Of the
Nashville and Chattanooga Railroad Com
pany, and we tender to him our good
wishes for his continued health and pros
perity.
Resolved, That a certified copy Of the
above resolution be delivered to Mr..
Burns.
The foregoing resolutions We're unani-
mously adopted at meeting Of the Board
Of Directors Of the Nashville aud Chatta-
nooga Railroad Company, August LIST,
1865, and are correctly copied from the
minutes of the board now in my possession.
+. A. GAINES,
Sec'y. and Treas. N. q G. r. Il. Co.