Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1871-09-27


yourselves at 81 South Market street, Nashville.
Department had cost an average of 1885,
900 per annum, during Mr.. Browns sd.
ministration and q large, uncertsin
amount during the two years next follow
ing. We reduced this 10 about $29, 900
per snnum, and yet the streets are in as
good condition as we found them. The
current expenses of running the city
government during the first two years sf-
ter the war was on an average more than
5000, 900 per annum. We have reduced
this to about $500, 900 per annum, ex-
elusive of principal and Interest on the
public debt.
LEaAL ADvIsKRs-
But while these measures of economy
were being prepared, it was indispensable
that the promptest and best advised legal
steps should be taken to put stop to the
confscaiion of the city property by the
rspacity Of judgment creditors. By the
unanimous Uote of the City Counci,
| the two offices of First and Second City
Attorney were dispensed with, and the
Finance Committee directed to employ
legal advisers by contract fully sp-
proved the Finance Committees selection
of Judge w. T. Cooper, and it was unsni-
| mously ratified by the City Council.
| They acted as wise men in an hour of the
greatest peril would act. The result has
been in an eminent degree satisfactory.
OF the $4,000 in judgments standing
against the city in the Federal Court,
more than $50, 900 were set aside, and
none of them since have been recovered
against us. Most of these claims have
since been compromised at discount
on the former judgments, which it
is estimated fully equals the whole
sum which has been paid to the sttor-
| news under this contract. But this
was only small part of the services rem
dered. Nearly half of the remaining
judgments in the Federal Court have been
held up under litigation still continued.
! The school houses, water-wOrks, and
other property sold have been redeemed.
The judgments for over $3.50, 900 standing
against US before Magistrates were all
enioined, and have been 90 held until this
day. Most of these, too, have been
compromised at saving Of tens of thou
sands of the city treasury. The execu.
tions which had been levied upon your
property have been removed and your city
saved from the disgrace of utter financial
ruin. No judgments have been obtained
against you upon the myriad OF checks In
circulation, unless it may have been in the
way of compromise. Utter confusion has
been replaced with order. We are pro-
ceeding systematically to iquidate the
debt, Confidence is restored. We hsVe
paid in cash, during my administration,
S344,01O e8 of the past due debt OF
the city, besides the $64, 543. 06 paid by
the Receiver, altogether $40S, 553 .16.
We have paid in bonds at par about
$44O, 900. We have paid in cash all the
current expenses of the city. The Ia
borer has received-not promises to pay,
but pau in cash. The old Check Mill
has not been heard. 1t has not been per-
mitted to make one revolution; and SC
long as your present public servant re-
mains in charge of your affairs, it shall
never be set In motion. will never sigu
one of It's papers. 1t may rust, andcome
to be ons of the horrible memories of the
past. We owe no man anything for the
past two administrations, and If contin
ued, we do not intend to go in debt. Oul
motto is "Psy as you CO."
1t is now proposed that you change
your public servants for others whose Il
naDcial skill has not been tested in you
service.
FALSE AND SINISTER CHARGES.
But perhaps have said enough OF
these matters for the present purpose.
find myself asssiled by my competitors
and their supporters in q manner which
perhaps calls for defense in this address
The charges made agsinstme are SO vague
and indefinite, for the most part, that i
is difficult to state them But there are
few which l may mention First, 1t Ii
said that in addition to my salary (ol
$S, ,OOO) as Mayor, receive the perq1i
sites in the way of fees which have here
tOfore been given to the Mayor, anC
which amounted to $4,000 per annum
! This is untrue. l myself recommended
to the Council the ordinance which strip
ped the Mayors Office of its fees. | woulC
not then, will not now, nor ever VIII re
ceiVe those perquisites.
: Again, | am charged with appointing
|, to office my relations, or dispensing Il
! them the patronage of the corporation
, This is a SANDER. The fact is, that NJ
relation of mine, either by blood or mar
, riage, has at any time during my sd
3 ministration held any office in connection
with the city government. And no re
la;ion of mine, either by blood or mari
age, has been by me appointed or sssigne'
> to any position in the service OF the CIT.
government. John Lellyett, my brother
, in-laY, was in the service OF the city q
= an attorney st law, when l entered up0
7 nv first year as Mayor, and had the
been in that service for three years.
= did not interfere to drive him out of tht
service, and | should not do so agsir
, The city, as l have before said, was
. that crisis in the utmost peril in Tespe(
to its law business, and Mr.. Lellyett Ws
well known TO be more familiar with tht
: business than any other man. l advise
r with him often, but not 81 any charge
the city. He has given his legal sdviC
"a since very often to me as Mayor, and
n other corporation officers, and TO membel
II of the Council and to committees. BI
. he has never made any charge for his a
. vice. Bill amounting to hundreds dollal
;. at a time have been paid by former al
!. minis,rations, simply for Optnfons an
% ddujce, such as he has given Wltho'
- charge. have often explained that
3 did not employ MIR. Lellyett with Judt
= Cooper; but if 1 had, should have I
N apology TO offer. think Cooper d
II right in securing his assistance. The ci
r could not safely spare him at that time
70 Again, l am charged with having Ell
a ployed q LaWyer Of Martrees6oTO
,e assist in our legal business. This ''Mu
freesblro lawyer" is Hon. Edwin !
~ ~ Ewing, born with US, and identified wi
10 us for half century. There is no ab!
n lawyer in the State, if one so able. tt
r complaint is exceedingly sm II; it is Co
a temptible; yet it has been hinted at
n. electioneering speeches! Well, did
10 employ him, TO be sure; but suppose
N did. You may hold me responsible
\ il; and ! say emphatically / would do
Of sg ain
ct con tTact was an extravsgspt one. No
u. Cd.