Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1869-08-11
To the citizens Of NASHVILLE.


municipal officers, and to restore, if possis
BILE, prosperity and order to our happy
city. Yielding to the persuasions of many
cherished friends, and prompted by some
desire of my own, I have determined to
be candidate for Mayor at the ensuing
election. / seek the Office, because l
believe / can be useful to the city and its
interests, and because expect to be bene.
fitted myself. L am also, not insensible
to the ignominious circumstances, under
which l was thrust from il BY the
memorable hand of power. After all that
transpired on that memorable occasion, an
Endorsement by people for whom would
make any sacrifices, short of honor, would
gladden. me in my retirement. As have
record, as chief magistrate of the city,
l may be pardoned for making some
reference to il in this communication, and
l am also justified in doing go, by the
assaults made upon my administration on
the part of those. lately in charge of the
corporation, in their late struggle in the
Chancery Court. They have sought 10
mitigate their waste and extravaganza, or
TO divert attention from themselves, by
casting reflections on me and my COL
leagues. came into Office in the fall of
1865, just after the termination of the war,
and under great difficulties. The streets
of the city, as all will remember, were In
deplorable condition. They were almost
like waste country lanes, cut up in every
direction by the tread of war and military
occupation. To repair them was inevita-
Bile at any expense. Such was the sense of
every member of the Board and the uni-
versal sentiment of the people.
The consequence was, that during the
two years in which | was in Office, more
than fifty miles of street were repaired, at
great cost and labor.
Besides all this, in the beginning of my
administration, and for some time there
after, though the war ended, the evils
Incident to it still existed, a widespread
decentralization pervaded our community.
Crime stalked abroad at MONDAY, and
reveled through the night. To correct
this state of things, and protect the people
and their property, required no ordinary
exertions, and imposed no ordinary ex-
pense. A heavy police force became a
necessity, and how that department was
conducted is to be found in the safety as
sured by it both TO persons and property
and of which, every map, woman and
child, 10 Nashville, were witnesses.
do not mean to intimate that ! did all
this; but | co-operated in il, and
upon me devolves my full
share Of responsibility. was aided, in
council, by The very best men the city
could furnish, and it as admitted that
Nashville never had a better and more
Fviu al &C.
department. And | appeal with pride and
gratitude to these different departments,
and challenge the strictest scrutiny into
their acts and department, as well as my
own. / am aware Of the depressed con-
dition of the city finances, and some of the
responsibility has been attempted to be
cast on me and my friends. We may have
errors, and who has not? But
can say we met the crisis boldly and
fearlessly and disinterestedly, and no stain
of corruption has been left upon our gar
ments. And | will say further, that the
credit of the city, before the expiration of
my last term, began 10 suffer and depreci-
ate, lot in consequence of extravaganza,
but from a general apprehension of a
change of rulers, and under most unfavor-
able auspices. No wonder checks declined
in the market, when the storm of military
power began TO threaten the city and
overawe and silence the ballot box. |
feel morally certain, that could and
my friends have been reelected in the
fall of 1867, instead of being expelled
from the polls, the city would to-day be
in different condition. However all this |
may be, should now be reelected, i |
hope to meet in council the very best and |
wisest men the city can furnish, and i
promise the committees of finance and
street shall be filled with the most eff |
icient and reliable members.
i further pledge myself TO a rigid |
in the public expenditures, and |
his will now be an easier task, as the con-
1itioR Of the streets will require but little |
outlay for some time to come; and we are /
IN no condition to embark in new schemes |
Of improvement, however desirable. Fur
her. let ME say, will discountenance and |
oppose the raising of money in any sums,
great or small, by the issuance of checks
o be sold or pledged in the market. If
money must be borrowed, let it be Done
,pen-handed and under undOubted au-
hOrity; otherwise, creditors must bide
heir time and await the legitimate flow
If revenue.
To preserve the credit of the city un-
TO pay all its Just debts, and at
he same time mitigate as far az possible
he burdens of the people, will constitute
he chief duties of the next administration,
'esides aflording prompt protection to per
ons and property.
But | am extending this communication
'eyond proper limits. | would be wanting
n candor did | not express a desire to be
lected. / left the office penniless, haVi &
pent most Of my perqnIsiies and salary
pom objects of necessity. | was besieSed
y military force in my last efforts TO pro-
ret the people and city. | was escorted
ut by bayonels and rudely expelled
hank God, the days of bsyonets and
are over and the baIlotbox is
nee more in the ascendant, and ! have
Dme ambition TO he escorted back by the
eopIe, in their majesty and power.
Ii elected, | shall serve but one term in
ny event. But | see there are several
sndidates 10 the field, all worthy and
ipable men, and others may still announce
lemselves. This state Of competition may
,Hder it necessary to hold convention,
nd ia such 4 mode Of settlement | shall
leerfully aoquiesce. There is too much I
stake for the city of Nashville and its
aople to Justify me or any other man in
d obstinate perseverance in his own
ygrandzement. Bat, whether nomi-
,ted or not, elected or not, | shall ever
ell grateful TO the people Of Nashville for
eir past confidence, and to my colleagues
ID coadntors in our joint sff,rts to serve
e public Respectfully, s
w. MATT BRowN.
NASHVILLE, Aug. 8, 1869.
S--------s-- l
MARRIED.
Monday evening. 9th ,