Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1873-02-26
MUNICIPAL.

MeetsAg Oh the ks0kra or aldermen.
The Board Of Aldermen held their regu
Lar messing last evening, President PUNK
EFT In the chair. The following
MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR
was read:
MAYORS OFFICE, Feb. Is, l8T3.-Hon
City Council of Observation-Disclosures
would BOW be pleased 10 eall your attention
and consideration to the s'tenth ward cues
tion," and to state in this connection that,
In my opinion, it is ! grave one, worthy oil
serious and calm elaboration at your hands.
You are doubtless aware that after long
delay and much anxiety from our citizens,
the Honorable Supreme Court of our State
has rendered its decision in the case; and
while the decision was not such as I had
hoped for, and possibly not such as you had
good reasons to anticipate, yet the goal has
been attained, and the case disposed of SO
far as the Supreme Court Is now concerned.
You are all aware Of the question de-
cided, which, in my opinion, as
also that of the attorneys for the
city, virtually determines the tenth ward
| not to be in the corporation or in any way
forming an integral part of the city. By
the decision of the Supreme Court the
| judgment has been reversed and the cause
remanded to the lower court, for the pur-
pose of taking additional testimony and for
| further litigation. / beg leave to state
that it is matter of very serious doubt to
my mind, and also the opinion of some of
our best lawyers whether or not the corpo-
ration can now at this late day obtain the
necessary proof, which would enable its
being any moro successful in the case
than has already been determined. The
question now remains for you, as the
representatives of the people, to
decide whether you win instruct
the attorneys on behalf of the corporation
to contest the case to the extent Of thelaw,
or to withdraw the answer and pleadings
already fled by the city, thereby putting an
end to the suit, and allow the Tenth Ward
to go her way and be no longer part of
the corporation. Should you determine,
under all the circumstances, that it would
be better in order to harmonic and forever
settle the question, to let the ward depart
in peace, then of course all the privileges of
the fire department, common schools, DO
lice, ETC., would be withdrawn. / have ex-
amined the question to some extent, and as
it presents itself to my mind, / am of the
| opinion that the city has nothing to gain in
| 144O EAOoC(0h1OnOA b4lC o0lts Anu W
all due Difference to your opinions and
views ufon the question, / would advise
that the Council, by bill or resolution, in
struct the attorneys for the corporation to
withdraw its answer and contest the case
no further. Should this be considered the
proper course and the best policy to be pur-
sued under the circumstances, / am clearly
Of the opinion that it would be bat short
Tina hafOro tho r,oor,a IF % 90
make application for annexation of the
| be correct in my supposition on this
point, then the question would arise, as
upon what terms and conditions would the
that too much feeling has been
engendered on the part Of some
members of the City Council to view the
understand the facts, that the city has ex
pended more than double the amount of
taxes received from the tenth ward in the
way Of street improvements, gas, water,
common schools, etc, but in the event you
should concur with me in my views and
the tenth ward should petition your Honor
able body for admission into the corpora
ton, then in my opinion under all the cir
cumstances, would receive it upon the
condition of legal and valid election being
held, and upon the further condition, that if
readmitted, the city would refund none
Of the taxes already collected from the ward
and provided they are admitted during your
term of Office, that the people Of the ward
should only be required to pay taxes from
the first day of January, 1878. In my
opinion this is the only fair and equitable
way in which the question can ever be set
tied. Gentlemen, these are in brief, my
views upon the tenth ward question, take
them for what you think they are worth,
acting upon your solemn obligations to
yourselves, and the best interests and
protection Of your constituents. Very re-
specially. (Signed)
THOMAS A. KERCHIvAL, Mayor.
REPORTS.
The reports of the revenue collector,
showing that he had received the sum of
$6,236 since his last report was read. Also
that of the water tax collector, showing q
collection Of S4,706 %.
The Committee on improvements and
Expenditures reported in favor of the ap-
preparation Of the sum of $4,000 for the
erection Of a schoolhouse in the ninth
ward.
The City Attorney reported that he found
no legal objection to the establishment of
building department.
The committee to whom was referred
the matter ef increasing the pay Of the po-
lice force, presented bill in lieu of the one
referred to them.
The reports were received.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS.
A resolution providing for repairing
Lewis street, between Lafayette and Fill
more, was adopted.
A resolution to repair South Cherry
street, near Smiths drug store, was adopted.
The bill appropriating the sum of $500 to
connect Demonbreun street with College,
was rejected.
The bill instructing the Gas Committee
to erect six lamp-posts on High street be-
tween Demonbreun and South Union, was
referred to the Committee on Improve
ments and Expenditures.
BUSINESS FROM THE OTHER BOARD.
The bill defining the duties of the over
seer of the streets was rejected.
In the matter Of granting to the Nash
vile Infrmary the same privileges as those
enjoyed by the st. Vincent Hospital, a
committee of conference was appointed, |
SOLSlotlbS Vi nCoSIbs 3Qu |
Douglas, on the part of the Board OF Al |
dermen. .
RESOLUTIONS.
Instructing the Street Committee to put |
High street between Lincoln Alley and De- |
monbreum street in good condition. |
Adopted and referred to the Street Com
mittee.
Allowing J. 81. Needles g. Co., to lay gas
pipes in the streets of Nashville. Referred |
to the Gas Committee. ..,
Appointing committee to inquire into |
the qualifications of the present board of |
Police Commissioners and ifany member of |
sNid board is found not qualified for the po-
sition to request him to tender his resigna-
ton. Adopted.
Inviting President Grant and those ac-
companying him on his proposed Southern |
tour to visit Nashville, and extending to |
them the privileges Of the city. Adopted.
THE TENTH WARD MATTER.
In relation TO the matter of the tenth |
ward, the following was read:
An act to suspend Corporate Jurisdiction yer
the Tenth Ward, and other purposes.
Whereas, Under recent decision of the
Supreme Court of Tennessee in the cause
of w. II. McNairy and others against the
Mayor and City Council of Nashville, the
question as to whether that portion of the
l.