Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-01-13
NEW MAYOR OF EDeEPIELD.
ais Inauxurai Messnre.


1t has been customary heretofore for the
Mayor elect to submit his views to the
Board in detail, which l take pleasure in
doing. Before, however, entering into de-
tails, permit me to express nv heartfelt
thanks to my constituents for the honorable
position you have elected me to fill. as
sure you, gentlemen, that / feel doubly
honored after having triumphed over such
popular competitors, either of whom would
have filled the position worthily and to the
interest of the public welfare. / repeat.
therefore, that any man may well be proud
Of snch victory.
As most of the present Board are new
members, and inexperienced in munieipal
affairs, / would suggest that you make YOUR
selves familiar with the condition of the
corporation, so that when you are called
upon to cast your vote, that you can do so
Understandings, keeping at all times in
view the success and prosperity of our
city.
The past year has been one of sorrow and
disappointment. First, the epizootic. and
then that dread scourge, the cholera, Wis
tied us during the months of June and Ju-
ly, and upon the heels of this came the
great monetary crisis, the effect of which
was keenly felt by all classes, high and low.
rich and poor. And let me here say that
we are not unlike other cities. We have
our poor who have been supported chiefly
heretofore by the different churches. socie-
ties, and few charitable persons, and |
believe il to be right that this corporation
should bear her share of this burthen 10
support the poor, more especially at the
present time. | trust, therefore, gentle
men, that you will take such action in the
matter as in your judgment may seem best
TO accomplish this end.
Out of an assessment of about $4,000
for 1873, the tax collector has been unable
to collect but about one-half of this
amount. At the beginning of the year
the country was fourishing, and money
was plenty. The Board of 1873 passed a
bill TO have certain streets graded and
metaled, and commenced work upon them,
and would have finished them, had not the
dread crisis above alluded to come upon US.
This, gentlemen, was all unforeseen, and
for reasons that have stated, is the cause
of our treasury being embarrassed; and it
is now for you TO take warning and be BEN
lifted by past experience.
l would recommend that YOU ascertain
NAAS N-NttNN VI AildI
come due during the present year, and set
aside that amount from your assessment as
sinking fund to be used for no other pur-
pOse whatever only to pay those bills as
they mature. BY doing this you will read
lily ascertain the amount you will have for
ordinary expenses. The entire debt of the
city amCun.s to Sl1,S5O 50.
For full report Of the uncollected taxes
in detail, / refer you to the Collectors re-
port. must insist that you take steps to
have this amount collected at the earliest
day possible. If our laws are deficient, as
certain in what respect, and have them so
amended that We can collect the delinquent
taxes with the least possible delay. Great
injustice is done the prompt taxpayer.
He not only pays his own taxes, but is
compelled to pay interest upon the
amounts due from the delinquent Taxpayer
to keep the wheels of the corporation
moving. would not advise an increase of
taxation, but ON the contrary a decrease.
As regards the street Improvements, /
would say, improve no new streets until
your man thOrOughfareS have been put in
firSt-class condition, and never commence a
new street until you can complete it. EX-
perience Though dearly bought) has taught
us this. We need good sidewalks
on all our graded streets, and if our
charter is not adapted 10 the necessities Of
the case, | would recommend that YOU petit
ton the Legislature TO have the charter so
amended that it will meet the emergencies
of the public.
Gentlemen, to YOU iSentruSted the power
to make such laws under our charter as in
your opinion is calculated to promote the
greatest interest and general welfare of the
different wards which you represent. My
duty as an executive officer is to see
that the laws are faithfully exc
cuted, with power to veto such measures as
in my opinion are not calculated 10 ad-
vance the best interests OF the city, and l
trust that l will not be compelled to eXer-
else this authority.
Our public schools are in a flOurishing
condition, save the Russell school building,
which is poorly adapted to the wants and
comforts of the pupils, and some repairs on
the building will necessarily have to be
made if the present building is occupied
during the winter. l would recommend
the completion OF the new school building
at the earliest day possible. With the
present efficient Board of Education, we
llldN IGiSOlls>AlN uOpc IllsA1 OIi SCllpolS " III
become the pride and glory of our beauti-
full city.
would call the attention of the Board to
the great advantages to our city of intro
ducing gas, especially on the principal
of the city. do nos expect.
neither do | desire YOU TO have gas ON all
the streets this year, but on one or more as
we are able. We can then extend il in
different directions. Gas is nearly self
sustaining, and we must hold out some in
ducements to increase our population, and
by doing this we increase our revenue. Our
taxable property now amounts to 4 million
dollars; and by building good side
walks, and crossings, and by lighting the
streets, We can, in my opinion, increase
our revenue to double in five years without
our assessment. And | most
desire you to take action on this
matter at an early day.
herewith give you a list of standing
for the ensuing year, subject to
a change or alteration at any time, and l
trust that you will give me hearty coop
Grafton in enforcing the laws. l will en-
deayOr 10 aid you In carrying out any meas
Ures that are to the best interests and pros
perity Of our city.