The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1871-08-10
Our Chattanooga Letter.
CHATTANooaA, Aug. n. ]

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think, shutting his eyes and only hear
ing, that the place was bound to 60 I'M
DER But open yowr eyes, and what
sight meets the vision? On almost ayl
the vacant space handsome brick build
ings are being erected, and improve
ments of every Kind are going on. A
great financial misfortune has befallen
the place, but it does not seem to have
crippled anybody very seriously. In
fact, walking down Market street the
casual observer would say "these are
flush times" But these are not flush
times; for although, as stated above, no
one be "mortally wounded" times are
comparatively dull, SO far as trade is
concerned.
The Alabama and Chattanooga Rail-
road Company does not now run trains
through, but only follows a portion of
its line. Gov. Lindsay, of Alabama, was
here few days since, and had CONFER
ence with major portion of the credi-
tors, but nothing was effected towards
running the road again. That is, one
portion of the creditors are willing to
take hold Of his propositions, while an.
other portion, having been humbugged
so extensively and often, are reluctant
to trust his promises. Some few still
have confidence in J. G. Stanton; but
on what their confidence is based can
not conceive, unless it be multiplied
broken promises and pledges. They, the
creditors, employees and all, certainly
have cause to remember him with feel
ings of anything else than kindness. It
is said he "ses back" in New York, rev.
cling in all the luxury and splendor that
wealth can command, while stern want,
if not starvation, is making inroads up
on the victims of his cunning schemes.
Stanton no doubt had his whole heart
in this ponderous railroad enterprise,
and was himself deceived by the Conn
pdny, yet, when he discovered that he,
too, was the victim of misplaced conf.
dence, why did he not suspend opera
tons, insteai of building the balance of
the road on profuse promises?
That contemplated trip of yourself
and Several other distinguished Athe-
mans to Birmingham" had best be de.
ferred for awhile. You may not know
that there is one hundred miles of the
A. and e. Road only temporarily built.
Such is the case. Gen. Clanton, Attor-
ncy for Alabama, so stated here the 9TH
er day; and he said that trestles, fifty
feet or more in height, had been hur-
riedly built of pine poles. 1t was con-
dition precedent with Alabama that the
road should be substantially construct
ed. This has not been done, neither has
the Company met the interest on the
bonds of either the State Of Alabama
or Georgia. Under the contract Gov.
Lindsay is authorized to replevy the
stock which has been attached, take
charge of the road and run it in the in
terest of the State. The same is the
case with Georgia, and Gov. Bullock
has already issued his proclamation de-
claring the road from the Tennessee to
the Alabama line in the possession of
his State, and orders all State officers to
ren6er any and all necessary help in
holding the same. Gov. Lindsay, it is
understood, will replevy tomorrow all
stock attached, and no doubts are enter
tanned but what the road from the Geor-
gia and Tennessee line to the Alabama
and Mississippi line, will be put in ope-
ration at once.
/ said in the outset that nothing was
done towards starting the road. I meant
the creditors in Chattanooga refused to
cooperate with Alabama, and now Gov.
Lindsay performs his duty by taking
charge of the road as authorized under
the contract. 1t is great pity that one
of the most important lines on the con-
tinent should be allowed to lay idle and
60 to decay right in its incipiency.
There is misery of the most appalling
character all along the line, and this is
why the road was stopped running. No
one can blame the employees. True,
they have not obtained their money, but
they thought to get it by the course they
have pursued. Gov. Lindsay will, no
doubt, deal fairly with all creditors,
and they should give him their hearty
cooperation. The road must be started,
and will be, for the gentleman last nam
ed has announced his determination to
taSe charge of it. The creditors here
are committing suicide, financially, and
will find it out in little while. Better
judgment may prevail when it is seen
the road is to be run anyhow. d
In all matters of public interest phases
change here every twenty-four hours.
To-day we go-ahead, tomorrow our
hand is on the reverse lever. Such is
Chattanooga; but we will get on the
right track presently, and then whistle
off brakes and clear the way, for we're
going straight through, with head up
and tail over the dashboard, into the