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

To the Editors of the Union and American:
Some days since there appeared in your
paper a communication from gentleman
who is a candidate for Mayor, in which he
makes sundry suggestions as to the course
to be pursued in order to get suitable
candidate, which suggestions in the main
struck me as sensible and TO the point. l
do not propose now TO enter into any con-
troversy with the gentleman on any Of the
subjects discussed or referred to; but there
are some other subjects connected with
new Mayor and Board which ought TO be
discussed and fully understood before the
people give their support to any man for
either Of the position referred to. Each
candidate should be scrutinizsd and his
position understood, so as to know whether
he is really in favor of retrenchment and
reform, or whether he simply bowls for
economy so far as the balance of those are
concerned who put their hands in the pub.
lie crib, while his dear self is to be let alone
and regarded as a hard-working and poorly
paid man for his exceedingly valuable ser
vices, that no one may be able TO appre-
ciate but himself. The Office Of Mayor
now pays, or is understood to pay, from
five to eight thousand dollars per year.
Now, sirs, take the ground that it will
take no greater man 10 fiil The Office OF
Mayor of our city, with credit to himself
and us, than it would to fill a position on
the Supreme Bench of the State of Tennes-
see. The Judges of the Supreme Court Of
the State get for their services, l believe,
three thousand dollars, and formerly did
when they were, without disparagement,
much greater men than now, get only two
Thousand dollars per year, and no perqui-
sites, and, now, is it reasonable that a
people should be taxed TO pay Mayor
more than the Governor or the highest
judicial officer in the State? We are now
at a period in our history when we should,
as a people, take proper views and frown
down all attempt at eating up our sub
stance in the payment of large salaries
even to necessary officers, much less to I'M
necessary ones. would inquire whether
the offices are made by the people for their
benefit, or for the sole use and benefit Of
the persons who may be chosen TO fill
them? The theory OF our government is
that the office-holder is the servant of the
people, and as such, to be useful to them,
with reasonable compensation for his ser
vices, and all above that to be taken out in
the honor and position it gives him among
his fellows. Whenever this idea is lost
sight Of either by the people or the man,
who seeks to gil public Office, the public
interest necessarily suffers, and the office
is sought alone for the loaves and fishes,
and not for the good Of the community.
We have been loud in our denunciations
against those who have wasted our sub
stance and involved US in debt almost to
bankruptcy, large portion of which was
done in the payment of large salaries both
to necessary and unnecessary officers. 1t
is painful TO think of the increase of offices,
and the increased pay demanded by them.
have often heard Gen discant upon their
peculiar fitness to discharge this or that
high trust, and with great parade try to
show how much they could or would save
for their fellow. citizens when in office, but
do not remember that L ever heard one
of these gentlemen who already filled or
desired to ell an Office urge upon his fell
low-citizens the propriety of cutting down
the salary or perquisites Of the office he de-
sired.
call on all good citizens, both rich and
poor, who, as / verify believe, have a
III Jul HlOoPCAAhy1 " oSO
to it that none but first rate man shall
be elected Mayor, or Alderman, or Coun-
Gilman, and if we will try, like honest
men attend to their own business, we will
succeed, and the people will triumph and
teach their would.b be rulers that they mean
to control.
l know, sirs, that it is not reasonable
that any man who wants an office by which
he expects to get his support, should be
expected 10 advocate a reduction in its
emoluments; poor human nature is too
weak on such points as this. Yet, we are
now in the night Of great trouble fnanc-
tally, and every useless expense should be
Topped off at once, 80 that all should bear
the burden alike, but if all are to be
pressed that few may be rich who are
simply more lucky than their neighbors,
|, in the name of common Justice, enter
my protest. JUTSICIA,