Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1871-07-30

citizens of the gallant State Of Tennessee.
that has given to the United States two Of
her most distinguished Presidents-ons
gallant soldier and the other an accom-
piished statesman-Andrew JacksonH and
James 4. Polk. 1 know you are reasona-
bic men and do not expect anything but
what Is reasonable.
This road has been built at a cost To thu
State of $50, 600 per mile. The COMPANY
received bonds to that extent. although
our railroad laws only authorize the en-
dorsenent Of bonds to the extent Of S16,-
0 per mile, but this road rsosived 81
600, 900, or about $50, 900 per mile in
bonds Endorsed and issued by Alabama,
bearing per cent interest
The people of Alabama were opposed 20
going so much on this road or any other,
butt mus: be plain with you--the State,
as testified in New York before the Ku-
Klux Committee, and have published in
the newspapers, was under the control of q
Legislature composed Of strangers in the
State not friendly to our people, who vsrs
bribed to extend this additional aid In
fraud and corruption.
Notwithstanding this, We in Alabama are
people who have always paid cur debts.
Before the war, when We were terribly op-
pressed BY the bank robbery debt, We re-
fused to repudiate, for the people Of Ala
bama are brave, honest and Intelligent
And when a new Legislature was elected,
representing the people, and We we're sail
ed on to say whether We would psy or re-
pudiate this debt thus forced upon Us, We,
for the second time, declined to repudiate,
and refused to ia nish our good name.
Under the present circumstances the
matter seems farther from adjustment than
several weeks age. The longer this state
of affairs continues, the worse il viii be
for all, for you in Chattanooga, for Ala
bama, and for Georgia and Mississippi
The STATE has waited for q month since
it paid the interest on the bonds, hoping
Stanton would pay the laborsrs and run
the road, but in vain.
As matters now stand no one is bene-
fitted by the road, but all are injured.
Nothing is lefs but for the State Of Ala
bams to take possession Of the road peace
ably and quietly, and run the road, pro-
tectiDg herself as far a she can; thereby
beneftting Chattanooga more than aay
place in Alabsms, for the trade all comes
here; repairing the road and putting il in
good ORDER employing the old employees
80 far as possible under good wages, while
10 OOStAuCtAOu ID RlnCc0 II IL wy VI AHo
legal rights of any one. Nothing is left
bat to avail herself Of he rights under the
mortgage. This will injure no one, bnt
will benefit all as far as possible.
The State Of Alabama has seven mill
ions at stake. II We lose it We lose more
than all others put together. Tho ques-
ton is, shall the road run and give en-
ployment to the suffering lsborers.
rThara u No ror-ar in Alabama a. kharc
is none in Tennessee to pay any money
without an appropriation. We will ask
the Legislature to deal generously. l
would promise more if l ceuld, but in
view of what has happened, think it
is well to be more particular how We keep
them.
If any company can run that road and
pay 1 shall be glad of it. am here TO
protect the road from men who cannot and
Will not do it.
We hold the road in Alabama and will
run the road to the State line We ask
your permission to run into your town and
give you our trade, give employment to
these men aud enable them TO make pro-
vision for their families. II this is not
done, your condition viii be worse. We
can't run it without your cooperation.
We ask you TO let US run il, and if you
have attachments on the rolling stock, We
will give bond and receipt for i. II you
think you have a len upon the road, the
courts are open for you to enforce il. We
don't propose to compromise any Of your
legal rights. The bond Of Alabama has
never been dishOnored and never viii be,
though millions nov are wrung from the
toll and sweat Of our people to pay
frauds and bank robbers.
What il to be done? We mean 20 ran
the road from one State line to the other
in Alabama, and to protect and make tray
elers secure if it takes FIVE hundred men
with guns to every mile. That Is what We
will do. and our trains are nov flying over
the track
Now will you let us run through?
II this proposition Is rejected, the road
will 90 to ruin. II the track Is not CON-
pleted this summer, there will be no track
this winter. If you do not accept now,
there will be no road here for eighteen
months 1t rests with you. Ieannot con-
troll it. If you wish q connection with
Alabama, you can make it On good terms,
and We will do the best We can
think the name Of Alabama should in
spire confidence. Her name il good on
Wall street for all the money needed to re-
pair the road. With her managing the
road, there viii be no laborers clAmor-
! Gus for money to feed their starving fami-
lies; there will be no trains stopped be-
cause she owes money she cannot or will
not pay. She meets her obligations
promptly, and she las the ability, and in
tegrity and honesty to do so. hope you
will cooperate with rs and trust to the
honor CT Alabama.
Tne crowd was next addressed by Gov.
Patton, making some timely suggestions
and giving some interesting facts and fig
ures touching the history and present con-
dition OF the enterprise. It would require
81, OOO,O 900 to finish the road He desired
that the rights Of the employees and all
Others should be fully secured under the
new arrangement, and that the faith of
Alabama, hitherto untarnished, would be
freely pledged to that effect Before the
meeting adjourned the following resolu-
tons were adopted and signed BY q major
iiy of the employees present:
Resolved, That the lsborers Of the Ala
bams and Chattanooga Railroad have been
deceived by false promises from time to
time for the last SIX manths by J. O. Star
ton. In regard to oar pay for labor done on
said road.
Resolved, That by such deception we
have been indaeed to continue to labor on
said road without pay until cur families
are in absolute distress and want Of the
necessaries OF life, and that we not now
afford to join in the forcible resistance Of
the operation Of said road; but that We be-
leve our best interests prompt us to say
to the representative Of the state Of Ala
bams, the Hon. ]. II. Olanton, tnat weare
ready and willing, as heretofore, TO work
on the Alabama and Chattanooga Railroad
under promise and guarantee from said
representative for our pay.
Resolved, That a committee be appoiGt-
ed to present these resolutions to Gen.
Clanton. -