Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1873-06-15
CHATTANOOGA.


The Mountain City and Local Topics.
To the Union and American:
CHATTANOOGA, June IL, 1S73.-The
generalities in the past history, present as
pect and future prospects CT this growing
little city, have lately been so well and fire.
quently written up by the press of the
North as well as the South and brought to
the CONSPICUOUS notice of the whole civilized
world by the well directed efforts of bis ex-
Exellency, Gov. Samuel Bard, that scarcely
anything new is left to the item seeker,
that would be of interest to your readers.
Your correspondent must therefore con-
fine himself entirely to matters concerning
the local interest of the place.
THE FINANCES
of Chattanooga are in q very low condition,
resulting, it is said, by those who ought to
know, from a lack Of confidence in the
present municipal administration. To
eorrOborate this, a. recent election held
for that purpose, the issuance of school,
fire department, street and current
expense bonds was overwhelmingly defeat
ed, although the great mass of the citizens
are in favor of continuance of the public
schools, are DESTROYS of having an efficient
fire department and are well aware that in
order 70 enhance the value of real estate,
the streets must be put in better condition.
The result of this defeat has been the re-
duction of the police force to six men (only
think OF it, city Boosting population of
10000, being guided by such contempti-
bic array of numbers) while scayenger work
on tine streets has been entirely done away
with, the public schools closed and the
mayor and board of Aldermen are made 10
serve without getting their just pay. Why
should such evils exist? If the people knew
beforehand that the men who are in office
were net Trustworthy, why did they elect
them; and if on the other hand, they did not
know it, why not Give them fair trial and
not let the rnost material interests of the
city suffer by mere suspicion?
The prospects for CT sttlnooga becoming
the southern terminus Of the
CINCINNATI SOUTHERN RAILROAD
are very fattering, and the people knowing
the advantages to be gained by having
the road built TO this point will turn out
in full force on the 18th OF July next and
cast an overwhelming vote in favor of
donating 100000 bonds Of the city to the
Trustees of the road upon its completion,
for, to the credit of the citizens it must be
said, that they are az live and energetic a
class of people as are to be found in any
country. A new enterprise is scarcely
when it is undertaken and COM
pleted with zeal that is both astonishing
and commendable. The cotton factory is
under way ami will be eompleted in few
months, and the car factory has already a
portion of its buildings erected and some
work is turned out daily. The new blast
furnaces will also be In operation by next
fall, sll these being enterprises projected a
fe months since.
This city compares very favorable, with
others of its size for
HEALTH.
The deaths for the month of May being
but IL out of population of 10000; and
of these we're infants, and died of old
age. During this month there have been
but deaths-2 infants and coasumptive.
Very few localities can make as good
and as for cholera, this place has
thus far escaped that dreadful scourge. The
climate in the valley is delightful, especially
in summer, as the days though hot are pre-
coded Iby cool nightss as for instance last
week, the thermometer during mid day,
stood at IS degrees, and at midnight fallen
to go de Trees. After a session of four
the
PUBLIC SCHOOLS
were closed last week. The term closed
with very satifactory results, and much
credit is due to Prof. 81. d. Wyatt, the tSu-
for the manner in which the
schools we conducted. The attendance
was very large and proves the experiment
Of opening public schools TO be perfect
success. 1t will, however, depend entirely
upon the state of the city's finances, wheth-
Or the same are reopened.
In one respect this city is poorly situated,
that is regarding its
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
There is but one regular company here,
the "Look Out, No. ]" and though num-
really strong, the main thing is wanting
an engine. A hose carriage with couple
reels of hose, is not sufficient for the pro-
lection of city Of this size, and though it
is highly commendable in the company hsv-
ing accumulated sufficient funds, by dona-
lions, pic-nics, and what the city allows
them monthly,to purchase an engine house,
it seems ridiculous to the most casual OBJ
server that the house should be bought be-
fore the engine.
Another company has just formed, styl
ing themselves tbe"Roekwood, No. 2, ;" also
without an engine. The fire lsddies, how
ever, are jolly set and in for fun, and have
arranged for the celebration of the
~ DAY GLORIOUS FOURTH"
IN the good old style. There is to be grand
procession of aye Anciente and Horrible
Artillerie," in which some four or five hun
dred persons win take part, something in
,he style of the Mardi Gras festival. Many
visitors are expected, and good time gen
orally is anticipated.
The Turner's here are making extensive
prepaI ations for the meeting of the
LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN TURN BEZIRK,
which convenes at Knoxville on the Esd.
The Chattanooga Turner'S expect to carry
off every prize. The Nashville, Memphis,
Atlanta, Decatur and Little Rock Turner'S
will remain here a day while on their way
10 Knoxville. Kirby, of the Times, is look
ing over his "German Wi hout Master"
and preparing for another instalment Of
shat lager" while Ben Nicklin il almost
hoarse from practicing to say with the
proper accent: Gut Hell. Yours, truly,