Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1871-04-19
The Proposed Lease.

Both Boards of the City OouncI met
yesterday in special session.
CoNudoN COUNCIL
The Board was called to order at $3.50
P. NJ, President Craighesd i'll the CHAIR,
and quorum present.
The following papers were then read by
the Recorder:
To the Hon. Z. J. Morris, Mayor of the
City of Nashville: The undersigned citi-
zens having large interest in the welfare
and prosperity of this city, respectfully
ask you to call at as early time as you
may deem proper a meeting Of the Ooun-
Gil of the city of Nashville to take into
consideration the expediency of leasing
the Nashville and Decatur Railroad, and of
making terms therefor, and submitting the
same to a vote Of the people.
Signed by FRxD. 81. FRENCH,
President Nashville Board of Trade,
and about eighty others, including many
prominent citizens.
MAYORS OFFICE, April 18, 1871.-Gen-
tlemen of the Board of Aldermen and Com
mon Council: In compliance with the
wishes of citizens, 1 have called you to-
gether that q petition herewith transmitted
ject will receive your calm consideration,
in regard to its legality as well as its feasi-
biity. Any other pressing business may
be taken up. (Signed K. j. MORRIS.
IN CONVENTION.
President Craighead then directed the
other Board to be notified that the Com
mon Council was ready to go into conven-
ton. The members of the other Board
then came in, and President Hurley took
the chair by the side of President Craig.
head, and presided. On call of the roll,
seven Aldermen were found to be present
and eighteen Oouncilmen.
The following communication was ther
read:
NASHVILLE BoARD OF TRADE, April Is,
1S71.-To His Honor Z. j. Morris, Mayor
Dear Sir: At meeting Of this Board,
held this day, committee was appointed
to meet you, together with the City Coun.
Gil, to confer, if necessary, with them on
the subject of a lease of the Nashville and
Decatur Railroad by this city. The solicit
tude manifested by every class of our citi-
zens in this threatened calamity, by the
transfer of a road running through the very
heart of our State, makes Us look to your
action with unusual concern. Assured oi
a responsive interest, believe me,
Truly yours, F. II. FRENCH,
President of the Board of Trade.
On motion of President Orsighead, the
| gentlemen of the Board of Trade present
| were invited to address the meeting.
Mr.. French said that he did not intend
| to make any extended remarks, but Mr..
Gentry, the Secretary of the Board oi
| Trade, had familiarized himself with tht
whole subject and could present all the
| facts to the Council.
SPEECH OF MIR. GENTRY.
The Secretary of the Board of Trade
then addressed the Council at some length
| He said
| Mr.. President and members Of tht
Council You have been called together
| presume, at the instance of a number o
our prominent citizens, to consider the
propriety of the city of Nashville leasing
the Nashville and Decatur railroad. II
this matter the citizens Of Nashville ar
deeply interested.
At called meeting of the Board o
Trade this morning at IL o'clock, ther
we're as many present as could gain admit
tsnce into the room. There are 173 mem
bers of the Board, leading citizens of Nash
| vile, and there is not one of them, VIII
if he had been present would not hav
| acted as we did.
They appointed committee to b