Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1869-09-05
A CARD FROir MR. BASS.

The fact that have taken no part in the
canvass for Mayor is, IS l am informed,
being used against me, and | have been
held up before the public as an imperialist
and aristocrat, not to say other hard names,
and unwilling to associate with my fellow
men or give public expression to any
views as to the affairs of the city.
In reply tn these charges wish to say
that at q public meeting at the courthouse,
on the 2lst ultimo, called for the purpose
of discussing the best mode to secure una-
nimity in the election, a resolution was
passed by the citizens that the delegates
should 90 to the convention without in-
structions or pledges. Without intending
to eensure others, | have been of opinion
that the whole matter should be lett to the
citizens of the several wards in their
primary meetings without any agree
ment from me, or attempt to bias them
and / still think so. Besides there
are no issues to be discussed, ali agreeing
that retreuehment and reform must be the
| leading objects of the incoming admins
tration. Ga this subject the public has
already sufficient guarantee as TO my
views. Moreover, the Mayor has no pow er
| to originate any measure OF legislation.
| He can only recommend, and the mode OF
settling the present financial difficulties OF
| the corporation must be finally determined
BIZ the City Council. Finally, were the
above reasons not sufficient 10 prevent my
engaging in the canvass, my duties as Re.
ceiyer being constant and onerous, would
forbid it. Et+F 4aEtssE
1t has been also charged that l am one
of number who proposes to sell to the
corporation the Academy grounds fol
$250,000. This statement / deny, and &C
far as / am aware, no proposition of the
kind has ever been entertained by any O
the Trustees. / did say that if the Nc
Gavock Park had not already been bough.
and the city had been in a condition Il
buy, the purchase of the Academy woult
have been a wise measure, but that tn
corporation was in no condition to buy an!
thing; and TO this opinion still adhere
never thought or stated the property wa
worth $250,000.
1t is also said that / am to be paid fiv
per cent for collecting and five per cent
for disbursing the corporation money. L
this need only say that am, as Receiv
err. acting as an officer of the CHANGER
Court, and will receive whatever the Chan
cellor regards reasonable compensation
This rests entirely at his discretion, and q
far as know he has not indicated 10 an
one what the amount will be; outsid
statements that say am to receive $40
600 are without authority and entitled
no credit.
Equally without foundation is the accu
| alton that have been ideRti6ed with th
(. Radical party or contributed means
further its views; though no politician,
, refer to my political record as one
uniform consistency. 1t may be propl
before closing this communication, to IS
! in relation to my course as Receiver, tn
I at my request the Chancellor authorize
|. me to disburse to the day laborers of Il
corporation in preference to the lar
g creditors, their back pay, of which th'
had been 80 long and unjustly deprive
and of which many stood in much Dee'
, these payments amounted to about $50, OO
This refer TO to show how far am q
b. friendly to the poor man and disposed
f deprive him Of his rights.
This much have felt impelled to 81
in justice to myself and as due to the pu
:. lie, to meet the charges brought agair
IS me, bat would have preferred to rema
silent. JOHN M. BASS.