Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1873-04-23

being so delivered by him. As an eV
dence that my confidence had not bee
misplaced in Mr.. Adams, he has deligere
the stone ~ per Contract, and mir. -Haslar
has now used upon Shankland street 2, a
bushels OF these stones; the balance al
now on North Spruce street, ready for US
when needed.
This committee further states that MI
g. w. Smith, former Chairman ofthe Stree
C0njulitteey repres f,ted to them that ht
had 52,605 bushels of stone on hand, lyin
in various parts Of the city, at the time
bis being superseded by myself MI
Smith never reported any rock on hand Il
me; in fac, never gave me any informs
ton IN regard TO the department. I dono
believe be had these rock Oh hand, notwith
| standing his sworn testimony to the contra
ry, for they have never been reported b
me either by him or Mr.. Haslam, Stree
| Overseer.
/ would here take occasion to state tina
the purchase of stone from the lessees o
the State prison, was made to McA damiz.
the streets of the Tenth Ward, as the sui
pending In the Supreme Court was antici
pated to be decided in favor of the city
that was informed by several city officials
that the trade with the lessees ofthe prison
was good one. ef
This answer was made from the testimo-
ny adduced before the first committee a
investigation. :.
The committee further state that I have
blasting done on Bell street, and that
the street is blocked up by such blasting
and obstructed. / answer to this charge
would refer to Maj. Foster, City Engi-
neer's certificate, in which he states that in
order to get the grade of the street, il would
have to be excavated foot lower than it
is. As for prospective damage suits az ainst
the city, Ii, Is simply ridiculous and farciful
to seek to hold me responsible.
The committee further state that I am
making contracts and expanding
large sums of public money with
out the action or sanction of the
committee of which 1 am chairman.
This is charge without proof or specii-
cations; which l most emphatically deny
and defy the committee to prove it. The
committee further stated that l have used
the public property for private and personal
ends; that have directed the use of mules
and carts used in the department to the
advantage and profit of private individuals;
and that they have learned these things
from sources which they deem reliable. 1
say ia answer, that denounce the state
ment as UNANIMOUSLY false, aud demand the
proof. These last charges are after thoughts.
Finding that the charges relative to the
broken stone could not be sustained, this
Committee appointed for the purpose of re-
viewing the testimony taken by the SUBJ
Committee of the Finance Committee grs-
tuitously travel out of the path de-
scribed by the regulation, and
without the least shadow of authority;
and then, too, without giving me
any notice whatever of these last charges,
met, in fact, clandestinely, trump up these
charges and present report to this body,
based upon no testimony. They absolutes
ly take no testimony, but say they have
learned these things from sources which
they deem reliable. What sources do these
charges come from? suspect some of the
Committee themselves, and L have no
doubt but that if the truth
were known, certain member
of this Committee would be found the
father of these hidden charges. That they
were conceived in malice and spite cannot
be doubted. Because Mr.. G. w. Smith
was not appointed Chairman of the Street
Committee has given rise to these troubles.
| will simply call the attention of the Board
to the loose and reckless manner 10 which
this Committee has made charge without
any proof, and embodyiDg them in what
they are pleased to term report. No tes-
hmony, no witnesses-not single witness
named-no specifications, no dates, no
places assigned in what way public proper
y has been appropriated. or where, when |
and how the public carts were used
for the benefit of private persons.
In conclusion, wou d say, that there has |
been from the commencement of my ad- |
as Chairman of the Street |
Committee, a concerted plan to force me |
o resign the position, in order to make way
or another person. In fact it was suggested |
o me by member of this committee, that |
would resign, the whole matter would
70 at an end. Knowing that charges had
'een preferred against me, which involV-
ID my honor, declined to resign,
rusting to my innocence for my vim
lication. l knew that such course would
rand me with dishonor, and had all con-
dence that an impartial investigation could
My terminate in one way, viz: the vindica-
ion of my honor and integrity, and am
ow willing that this whole testimony and
eport should go before candid and impair
al public, and let it say whether am guilty
r not. This report is falseand shows q
egree of spleen and malice which can only
e found in minds as small as ignorant.
j. F. PENTECosT.
Alderman Douglas denied there being
ny malice towards the Chairman of the
treet CommiCtee ay any member of that
Committee. He then gave a review of
lie investigation made into the acts of the
hartman of the Street Committee.
Alderman Pentecost said he had endeay-
red to fulfill the duties of Chairman to the
est of his ability. He challenged proof
the accusation that he had used
he city teams or property for private gain.
8 for the mistake in the number of cubic
ct of stone required to make bushel, he
I'D acted upon information received from
le street overseer, and when he found he
I'd been misinformed in that regard, he
I'd so reported to the Finance Committee
I'd offered to shoulder the loss the city had
CURED by reason of said mistake.
The question being upon tho adoption of
e report of the Special COMMITTEES, censur-
9 Alderman Pentecost, President McCrea
ID Alderman Wilson begged to be excused
ON voting, the former because he was J
vt acquainted with any of the facts in the
after, and the latter because by reason of
ing connected with two committees ap- 1
tinted to investigate the subject, he was l
Interested party. Their request was I
anted. g
Alderman Pentscost declined to vote. /
The yeas and nays being called, Eae vote
)od: I
Yeas-Aldermen Douglas, Linck and S
lamberlain-3. c
Nays-Aldermen Breen and Blanton 2. s
Before the result was announc I'd by the | q
air, Alderman Pentecost rose and protes- '
against the adoption of a report s
damaging to his character, by 4
small majority, in the face of 4
} explanation of bis official acts IS fur e
he'd in his answer, and said that, rather s
IN have the report adopted, he would lay v
de all feelings of delicaey in the premi- II
!, snd vote, and he therefore voted "nay." .
Alderman Chamberlain gave it as his .
nion that it would hardly lie proper for 0
member to vote upon question involv- $
!. his own character. U
Upon reflection, Alderman Pentecost U
d that be would allow the public to judge q
N the published reports as to his guilt or q
locence, and be therefore withdrew bis a
q.
The Chair then declared the report of the a