Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1869-05-30
rAx-PAYERs IN COUNCIL
Large and Enthusiastic Meeting.
The KnormasIes of the Hing Exposed

wss called TO the chair, and Robert
Thompson appointed secretary.
The chairman returned thanks for the
honor conferred, and said that he sup
posed the meeting had been called TO
adont snch means as would relieve this
people from oppressive taxation and MUM
cipal Encouragement and corruption. He
regretted that thousands of The hesviesttax-
payers that should be present had seen fit
TO absent themselves on such an important
occasion. The chairman then suggested |
that as Col. Colyar was present, and as be |
had devoted considerable time to an inves-
tigAtion Of the affairs of the corporation,
be be invited to come forward and explain
the condition of things.
Col, Coylar responded TO the call, and
said that he believed that relief could be
obtained from the euormities that now
exist by moral power. There was nobody
who could sustain the city officials 10 their
outrages except the man who had put
money in his pocket. He referred to the
recent transactions of Allen with SAKE,
and wanted to know if that was not direct
robbery of the peoples money. He was
glad to say that large majority of the
party to which this municipal clique be.
longed openly denounced their outrages.
Col. Colyar then referred to the evil
dence brought out by the examination of
Allen and SAKE as witnesses in the suit
now pending in the Circuit Court. where
it was shown that $735,0OO had been
swallowed up in checks-that Aliens tes-
timony was that $4,000 had been depos-
tied as collateral for $50. 900, and that he
ALLEN had afterwards given his con-
sent that these same collateral checks
could be sold. That on Friday he
asked SAKE 10 file a memorandum
Of the numbers of the checks deposited, and
he ex cused himself on the ground that he
did not have his books, but that be could
do 80 next day. But in court on Satur-
day, he refused to answer, saying that it
would expose his private business. Every
lawyer, said Col. CoIyar, knows that can
compel him 10 answer. This was only
temporary, and he might as well have
answered to-day as at any future
time, as he was determined
that he should develop the
whole facts. Can any man say, after this
smuggling that this was a bon aide honest
transaction. He would call things by
their right names-it Was robbery-dOwn
right stealing. 1t did not do him any
good to use epithets, but he was deter
mined that his property should not be
stolen in open daylight, without attempt
ing to prevent it. Let any man, without
using any harsh language, just meet
Allen in the street, look him square in the
face and ask him If the transaction with
SAKE was honest, and be would be COM
PEELED TO answer no, and ask him how
much was divided in the little affair Of
Sl99, 900, and he might tell you that.
The smallest portion of the proceeds had
gone to the corporation; the bulk
had been divided. The time was
when if charge was made that stealing
was going on the only answer was "Rebel,
but that time was past, and he was glad to
repeat that the decent men of the Repub-
lican party were acting with the old citi-
zsus in exposing and denouncing the
enormities of this municipal ring. There
was no party in this movement.
He called on those present to give one
or two days TO the investigation of these
outrages. Why toll from morning till
night in your stores, workshops and Offices,
when your money was being swept away
by these thieves He had the start Of
Allen in the lawsuit, and there was no
difficulty in getting at these transactions
Allen was bound to tell the truth, because
if be attempted to tell lie, he knew be
would he caught.
Mr.. Colyar said that no one could enter,
tain the idea for a ment that these check
issued by the finance committee were valid
no matter TO whom they went. Allen had
been compelled to acknowledge that be
had no books. If there was nothing but
recklessness here, we should not bear it
Neither Allen as present chairman, or
Ogden, the former chairman of the
finance committee, had made any report
showing what had been done, ><although
the transactions amounted to millions
Stand by me, said the speaker, and Mr.
Ogden will be compelled to make a show
ing, OF leave this town. Notwithstanding
this people had been the types of forbear
Ance, there is point among men wher
even severity is justified by the whole
country. Allen had voluntarily
at the last meeting, told foul
hundred of these tax payers tina! IL
would take pleasure in answering any
question which he might PROFOUND, but
when he wanted him TO give these an
swers, he hunted all over town for him
sent after him, and finally had to send the
sheritTfor him, and when he did get him, be
entered objecticnsto nearly every question
Just imagine Allen walking up to the
Recorder Office, with as little ceremony as
broiling a chicken, and saying, Mr.. Re,
corder, issue this man $4,000. Ask the
Recorder afterwards what il was for, and he
don't know. Ask him il it was 10 pay
any big debt, and he would tell
you, no. AK him if lie saw
John Smith, Bill Brown, Dick
Brunt and others to whose orders the
checks were drawn, and he would say
no. Ask him again who got the checks,
and lac would tell you SAKE Col. Colyar
concluded by suggesting Monday night
for another meeting. A day longer would
make but little difference. There was
only mortgage of So, 400 per day Oh the
property Of the city.
DIR. J. D. Winston moved that a CON-
mittee of five be appointed to bring up the
whole business and suggest what is best 10
be done, aud report to the meeting on
Monday night such resolutions as the
nature of The case may require.
Judge Whitworth opposed this motion
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