Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1873-02-28
THE TENTH WARD.
Both sides OF the Question discuss

4 DStsAA OAdoS VI INC 4uSstAOH OABCtAsHe u
We give plsce this morning to two COM
munications relative TO the Tenth Ward
the first of which advocates the policy of
accepting the recommendations contained
in the recent message of the Mayor, and
the other sayagely spurnlng anything look
my to such q proposition. The communi-
cations referred to are as follows:
| To the Union and American:
The recent decision of the Supreme Court
| in reference to the 10Th ward and the ac-
ton of the City Council have created much
excitement on the future OF that interesting
| portion of our city. 1t Is q fact that many
| citizens who at first were in favor of annex.
| alton afterwards became opposed to it on
| account of heavy back taxes, which a de-
| cision in favor Of the city would entail on
them. The question of back taxes
is now settled. Some members of
the City Council have permitted
| their feelings to become aroused when they
should have the courage to look the ques-
ton square in the face and leeislate fof the
present and future, and not with the view
Of doing indirectly what they failed to do
by an appeal to the highest court of the
State. The Mayor, in his well-timed and
sensible message, takes a practical, COM
mon sense view Of the question. His sd-
vice is to let the 10th ward in and then tax all
the taxable property, beginning with Janu-
airy, 1873. This is the true philosophy. But
some say, ''Put the 10th ward out and let her
stay out in the cold" 'sWithdraw police,
cut off water and gas and school privileges,
and they will be glad to come in and pay
back taxes" Now this is all nonsense.
The Tenth Ward don't scare worth a cent.
She is populous and has considerable
wealth, and i pei fectfy able to take care of
herself. As mere question Of finance the
Tenth Ward can better afford to organize |
her police, schools and fire departments
than to go into the city and help pay TIE |
heavy debt which now hangs over il. So |
it will be seen there are two sides to this |
question. Open the doors and let us in, |
and we are willing to pay our taxes for this |
year on all property which is taxable by |
law. Spurn us, and we will organize for |
ourselves. Which is the wiser policy, oh /
ye city fathers? Let judgment, not passion,
rule in your deliberations, and then give
your decision. CITIZEN.
THE TENTH WARD BUSINESS.
To the Union and American:
The recent decision of the Supreme Court
AROn bnO 4Onbu w SJlk3 Will ZIG 4
mendations of our Mayor upon the subject,
has excited much thought among the tax
payers of Nashville, and devolves upon the
present city government grave problem.
II / understand the facts, they are substan-
tally these: Some six or seven years ago
4 proposition was made to annex to and
incorporate with the city of Nashville, GER
tain territory designated as the Tenth Ward
ho oft 7bs. 4 Il
and "by the noise" that territory was voted
INTO the city. Some dissatisfied persons
bought it illegally or fraudulently done, and |
suit to test the question. L. sp-
Iears by the decision that il Was unlaWf I'll. |
In the meantime, during the tendency OF
he suit, the Tenth Ward is recognised as a
,art of the city of Nashville. 1t sends rep
esentatives to the city goyernment-it as
lists to levy taxes upon the city, and refuses,
With few exceptions, to pay them. l. has
water pipes and gas pipes laid and the latter
lighted at the expense of the city. 1t sends |
IS children TO school at the expense of
Nashville, and every payment is volun-
airy. These payments are honor
bic, but few. l am informed that
be city, since the annexation of this law
nit, has expended in this territory, fondly {
ut foolishly styled "The Tenth Ward" !
ne hundred thousand dollars 1 learn !
lrther, t at these Tenth Warders, since
his decision adverse to the city, are anx-
Jus to be part of the city Of Nashville,
nd are unanimously willing to come in
nd pay taxes from the beginning of the
ear 1873! and our Mayor recommends
lat this desire on their part be gratifed :! {
Now, to man who has hy-d in the city {
n thirty years, who receives the calls of | 7
lie tax-gatherer, as he hopes in the end, to | I
,ceive the call of Fate, neither to be avoid !
or disappointed, it appears to surpass
osurdity that, after receiving in various
avs one hundred thousand dollars, these
entry Of the Tenth Ward, being declared
1t of the city, should come forward and
~: ave have beat you out of 100000;
t US now strike hands, and pay equally I
ereafter." 1t is like the man on the high |
az, whose only language is, "Ssand and
sliVer!'
Nashville already has more unproductive
rritory than its business requires. The P
x-payers have built country roads enough.
its present streets and sidewalks were .
,pt in repair, and the hundreds Of shanties a
its heart were torn away, and genteel
ructures put in their places, and if the a
uatters around the city were properly in Y
rmed that the extension of corporate linn r
J and advantages were accorded to them c
a privilege, and not as a benefit to the a
~, we would enjoy greater prosperity, be
IS burdened with taxes, be more comely v
a city-and more than all else, we would u
It be constantly endeavoring to annex d
aw Suits, and paying taxes for the benefit j
Dead BedLS. AQUILLA. o