Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1873-11-29
MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS,
Meeting of the city Council Thurstla,

h0SesHS OA tAt lily GOIlHcil TnurSffay
Both Boards of the City Council met in
Convention Thursday night, with Alder
man Cheatham in the Chair, for the pur
pose of electing a City Attorney and three
members Of the Board of Education.
CITY ATTORNEY,
The following are the nominations made
for the Office Of City Attorney, with theil
respective votes, only one ballot being had
Player Martin, II; j. W. Ewing, 9; Bailey
Brown, 3: L. w. HALEY, 2.
BOARD OF EDUCATION,
The balloting for members of the Boarl
of Education stood as follows:
A. D. Wharton, 10: L. G. TaxhoS, 20
Geo. Kinney, II; James Chamberlain,
w. B. Reese, 9; T. A. Atchison, 10; Sam.
Watkins, 4; G. G. Giers, 5.
Messrs. Wharton, TarboX and Kinney
were therefore declared reelected as mem
bers of the School Board for the ensuing
three years.
The covention then dissolved, the Boart
Of Aldermen adjourned and the Board o.
Common Council took up their regular
order of business.
The various reports were read and re
ceived.
4 lively discussion was had with refer
ence to the bill (of which mention has
been made in our previous repots) author
izing the Finance Committee to compro-
mise certain outstanding claims against the
city. Mr.. Luck took strong ground against
the bill, he said:
I When first heard this bill read in COM
mittee it raised my dander, it is still upand
will remain up, until it has gone ''Where
the woodbine twineth." | desire that
every voter in Nashville, may know that !
was, as a member of the Finance Commit
tee, opposed to its recommendation to
the City Council, | opposed its
passage in the Board Of Aldermen, as much
as could, by punching one OF them in the
ribs, not to vote for it, and l now rise to
argue against its passage by the Common
Council. As the President did not APP
point me on the committee to whom it was
referred, at the last meeting of the Board,
quietly appointed myself committee, took
copy of the bill, went through it, and am
here to report what discovered while go
ing through. | discovered, gentlemen of
the City Council), that this bill, as amend
ed by the special committee. gives six men,
d f.,
at any regular meeting, to compromise aud
settle the whole contested Indebtedness of
the city of Nashville, and before the sun
sets the next day, the bonds can be exc
cuted and the money paid, without the
concurrence of the City Council, and fIom
their action there can be no appeal.
| discovered that it entirely ignores the
advice and consent of the Attorney in these
cases, employed by the city at large COM
pensation, and who is regarded as one of
the most able in the State.
| discovered that ii empowers six inem-
beIs of the Finance Committee to recog-
Mise, compromise and settle any claim
against the city, notwithstanding such
claim may have been decided in favor Of
the city by the courts.
| discovered that it appropriates and
places at the unrestricted disposal of six
members of the Finance Committee, to
compromise an Indebtedness of not less
than 100000. Put this in your pipes and
smoke it, ye members of We City Council,
while the teachers in your public schools
are suffering for their salaries, long due and
unpaid.
In fact, gentlemen, discovered so many
extraordinary powers delegated to six mem
bers of the Finance Committee by this bill,
that have not time to Gnumerate them.
Gentlemen Of the City Council, are YOU
ready to delegate these powers? l hope
not.
This bill provides for the settlement of
the Alden indebtedness. | was i'll this city
during his administration, and | do not be-
lieve this city received an equivalent for
much (if any over half the amount Of this
Indebtedness.
Since have been on the Finance Com
mttee ! have thought much, and said but
little, about IFS settlement. now propose
to give you the result of my thoughts, as to
how it was created. and how it should be
settled by an illustration:
Suppose a foreign enemy should invade
our country, and take possession of this
city. Shortly afterwards coIporars guard
enters my store, and introduces to me "AIr.
Grab-All," with the statement that the
powers that now be- regard me as an en-
envy, and have selected Mr.. Grab All TO run
my business during their occupation. As
the bayonetS back Grab All, light out, and
he lights in and runs my business two
years, and then leaves the country with his
friends. re enter my store, and commence
looking around. but am interrupted by a
stranger who introduces bimsef as Alden
Bonds, Esq, stating he has two notes OF
mine, issued by Grab All, for 100000
each.
L.-What are these notes for, Mr.. Bonds?
Bone is for goods, which YOU see in
that corner.
L.-All right. ] see the equivalent,
Il, =,
B-I don't know; security for Grab All,
perhaps.
Wont pay it sir.
Exit Alden Bonds and brings suit.
Another gentleman-Mr. Park Bonds
enters and presents my note for $4,000,
issued by Grab All.
L-What S this note for, Mr.. Park
Bonds?
p. B-For park, sir; Mr.. Grab All
could not bear your nasty streets and
nreak-neck pavementS, and SO bought a
park to promenade, boat, skate and air
himself in. All cities have park, sir
,ome, pay this note, sill; l am in hurry,
;ir
Ii can't see it, Mr.. Park Bonds. If
Mr.. Grab All bought a park let him pay
or it: | viii not,
Exit ?. i. and brings suit.
Shortly after, in walks an old friend,
Corporation Checks, Esq.
,L-Ah, Corp, how are you? What's the
news?
Corp.-Hi L., l have news that will |
make your eyes bung out like peeled onions |
II a basin of fat. | hold your checks for |
100000 issued by Grab All, and want the |
money, old fel. Half of them are for this |
All right, here's the money, what's
he other half for?
Collaterals, and SIGH like, you
NOW.
Ii won't pay EN-.
Exit Corp and brings suit l go out on
he street, meet my old friend Judge Touch
En- Light. The Judge agrees, as l am
ard up, to go into court, and fight A. b.,
,. b. and G. c., till judgment day, for the
riAing sum Of $4,000. So | say:
''It's bargain, Judge. Your daddy wa
Mighty right when he named you Touch
En- Light"
SO into court we go, and while sloshing
round there, / conclude TO compromise
ONE of the claims, and select my friend
lilly Litterer to act for me, with instruc-
ions to squeeze 'em, Billy
Now, gentlemen, this illustration gives
~ view of the present status of the Alden
and how it should be settled.
/ understand our position as Councilmen,
nd if the Court knows herself, which she
kinks she do, we are the ''squeeZe 'em