Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-07-02

| order IeVylng a tax Tor Inc purpose OF Duliu-
ing a free bridge across the Cumberland
river, and also one over Mill creek, and Or
dered said question of taxation to be sub
mitted to the people for ratification or re-
| lection at the August election, said order
being made at the April term of this Cour5,
1872; and whereas the county is largely
| indebted on account of various unpai d
| county warrants, which, by an order Of this
| Court, are drawing interest, in order to
! prevent suits from being brought by the
| holders thereof; and whereas, this county
will have to provide an asylum for the pau
| per, lunatics and the poor Of the county,
and will also have to provide for the pay
ment of the county's bonds falling due IN
| 1S73-74 and rs, amounting to the sum OF
| 100000; therefore, in consideration OF the
premises, Be itordered by the County Court
of Davidson county, majority OF all the
Justices being present, the said order Is
hereby rescinded.
Mr.. Ewing said the resolution embodied
what he intended to propose.
Justice Maxey thought the court had 10
right to rescind the order by virtue of which
the people now had the right of acting ON
the question. He thought Mr.. Ewing's eX-
cuse for opening this question, viz: that he
was absent when the court acted on the
resolution, was not sufficient to renew this
subject. Ii members were allowed to open
questions that had been acted on when
they were absent, the question would be in
terminable.
Mr.. Ewing stated that be was not absent
merely to avoid the question, but had been
called to Franklin on urgent business.
Justice Maxey said he thought the gen.
tleman would have a good excuse, he al
ways had good excuse.
Justice Walsh said all he had conversed
with were opposed to the free bridge--the
City Council had refused to act on it. He
thought it the grossest outrage on the tax pay
ers of Nashville to force bridge over the
river at the cost of S150,000 when the in
sane poor were running at large and uncar-
ed for. A free bridge here was farce-he
had been to Pittsburg where there were
five bridges over which every passer, whe-
Their rich or poor, had to pay. The poor
man and the rich man here can walk over
the bridge free and without cost or charge.
Justice Campbell said he thought the
court had no more right to rescind the or
der now than it would after the people had
voted for it in the AUGUST election. If the
people were opposed to it why was Mr..
Walsh unwilling to let tie people express
their Wish-it seemed to him mere child's
play for the court to pass resolution and
then rescind it.
Justice Maxey called for point Of order,
stating that the resolution was out of order.
The court ruled that the point of ord er
was not well taken, but that the resolution
was in order. The resolution was read for
the benefit of Justice Wilkinson who had
just come in, having been detained in the
trial of State cases.
Justice Meacham thought the County
Court had no right to tax the people five
years to Luild bridge; if the County
Court had the right to levy the tax, there
was no necessity to submit the proposition
to the people. He did not intend to exert
himself to defeat this question, because he
did not pay much tax; but if be owned two
or three hundred thousand dollars worth of
property on the other side, or the Edgefeld
side, of the county, be would
take an interest in the adoption OF the
measures. But oh, you cannot by the
votes Of the "Dear People" Yet, MIR.
Chairman, man of this worth can in
fiuence votes. Why are you separated?
Why does the Cumberland flow between
US? You got over there to get rid of the
tax burdens of Nashville. You complain
that Edgefeld has voted tax of So on the
81 200; and yet you want Nashville and the
rest of the county to be taxed heavier.
Mr.. Campbell asked if Edgefield had not
voted $4,000 for the free bridge.
Mr.. Meacham replied that they had and
wanted to tax the rest Of the people over
this side of the river $4,000. The only
argument made in favor of the free bridge
was contained in the six words: "DOnt
be afraid TO submit 1t to thepe0ple." 1t had
not been shown that it was beneficial to the
county-only three or four dis
tricts in the extreme north and beyond
Edgefield would be benefited, and
very few people from the northern part of
the county would be paid to ride around to
get here.
Mr.. Meacham was now rigidly cross-ex-
amined by member who asked variety
of questions relative to the benefits tax
payers having property in Edgefield would
receive by the free bridge.
Justice Maxey thought the people of the
county would not thank him or his friend
to tell them what they desired. The slur
of the :sdear people" thrown out Just now
was due to the people, to cast this slur on
them? Such slurs might do for some mem
bers, but he would not indulge such re-
marks. Not being disposed to dictate to |
the people how they should vote, or what |
they sho lid vote, he was willing to let the |
people vote for it. The country members |
were liberal and voted for the proposition |
10 fence in the courthouse, while members |
from the city voted against it.
Justice Walsh-Do you mean me by the |
,emarkS
Justice Maxey-No, you stuck up to the |
question and voted for it. The court has
submitted the question to the people, and |
here is no civil law prohibiting the people |
voting on the proposition. The friends of |
he measure will vote for it, which has been
egally submitted to the people, and if IFS
opponents do not vote for it the measure be
,arried and you will have to be taxed. The
,ourt has made contract with the people
Ind cannot rescind it.
Mr.. Ewing-Let me read you section of
aw on this.
Justice Maxey-"C ertainly, let him rip"
Justice Ewing then read section 1912 of
he Code: "Bridges that cannot be built by
he oVerseer, his ASSISTANTS, hall be county
barge and the County Court shall make
evy on the taxables to raise money for the
purpose and shall contract and agree for
building, keeping and repairing the same"
This knocked Squire Maxey's law in the
lead, said Justice Ewing.
Justice Maxey said he was glad to know
his; if the county builds the road and
ridge it would be county road. He
would say few things, but knew remarks
Eould be made about them. Gen. Jackson,
vhen he said the second sober thought of
he people was always right, never said a
ruer thing; the people had had their second
ober thought.
Justice Ewing asked Justice Everett if
d his advertisement the bridge subject was
Mentioned therein.
Justice EVerett,-"Yes, sir"