Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1869-08-12

road to the government in The suppression
OF the rebellion, being used more than any
other road, and to that extent of NOR,
Denehi; IN this particular it has no paral
lei. Of the above item Of 1926. 900. there
was paid In cash SOL 900, and In tIanspor.
tation Of persons and things $I74.0OO
which If tie service had been performed 70,
private parties, would have amounted TO
about three hundred thousand dollar,
making in all a total credit, on
that account, of about 1891 900 90, instead
OF $265, 900 90, as stated above, at rates
named by the government. But do not
parade these statements and calculations
for the purpose of insisting upon them as
basis of settlement, but merely to show
the equity side of the matter from our
standpoint, and to conclude with slch
propositions as we feel able 10 comph
with, and rest the whole matter with the
government, trusting TO its liberality and
magnanimity. But it has been reported
that the expenditures Of the government
on this road, during its occupancy, amount
to $4,O79,5l1 80, while the benefits de-
rived from the road, in pecuniaAy point
Of view, amount 70 only $3,766,915 81.
Now, while theae is no data in the pos.
session OF the company upon which to
form an opinion relative TO the expendi-
ture Of S4,O79,5ll 80, we may admit its
correctness with these exceptions, that
much Of the expenditure was occasioned
by building the road, not for permanent
purposes, but for temporary uses, and to
suit the movement Of the army, and the
strategy of generals, and, in fact, never
came into possGs ion Of the company. 10
vindication Of these facts, we appeal, if
necessary, to the honorable gentleman who
commanded the Union armies. Another
PIrt Of the expenditure was made by TAX
ing the iron rails from other roads and
placing them upon this road, and for the
value Of which the company may be held
responsible at law hereafter. Again, the
expenditures charged against the road are
put down at war prices, while il will be
seen that its credits are rated at less than
peace prices-two cents per ton Of freight
per mile, and two cents per mile per per-
s)n. Would it not be juat to allow the
same rule to operate in both cases, or at
least to increase the credit rates one
third, and allow the company a further
credit of a reasonable amount for the use
Of the road, for the time in which no
estimate has been made-the year 1862
and part of 1863-the authorities man
aging the military railroads having kept
no accounts of the service for the
periods named, as we are informed this
being done, we feel sure the balance in
favor Of the company would be sufficient,
with the amount already paid by the CONF
pany, TO more than meet the amount of the
bond. In this argument, we acknowledge,
TO presume upon the liberaliiy and msg-
nanimity Of the government. But we re-
specially submit, that 80 great a govern
ment may not act less literally toward its
citizens, il you please, its erring citizens.
| think the principle applied by the Quar-
termaster General, in his statement Of the
account, the correct one, and is certainly
in compliance with the spirit of The order
Of the Secretary of War of August s, 1865,
and il is forthe government to say whether
or not the same principle shall apply to
the credit side that is made to apply to tie
debit side in rendering the account. That
the government intended that full state
menls Of receipts from private freight and
private passage and government trans
portation, should be made is clearly shown
by the order of the Secretary of War
dated August s, 1865, directing these roads
turned over to their owners, and it, from
any cause, full statements have not been
furnished, the order has not been complied
with. al lH- -a
The following named Board of Diree-
tors were unanimously reelected for the
ensuing year: ...--. ... .... s..-...T
Z w Cole, John NJ Bass, G. NJ Fogg,
John Frizzell, c l. Jordan, w Hunter
Smith, Thos. @ Whiteside, a L Lands,
Anderson Powers, w Huggins. John +.
Anderson, John b Hawkins, f Patton,
jackson Pryor and Ben May.
There were 1929 votes cast and not
\ single name erased from any ticket. Such
unanimity Of action ID rarely seen.
The Stockholders' meeting after iranss
acting some other unimportant business
adjourned until the next regular annual
meeting.
At q meeting Of the Board of Directors,
last night, the following officers we're unan-
imously elected for the ensuing year
E w. Cole, President.
w. A. Gleaves, Secretary and Treasurer
Jno. w. Thomas, Superintendent
K. G.. Morris, Resident Engineer.
r. c. Bransford, General Book. keeper.