Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-01-23

certain CLASS OF clblLellS lHNdrldDiy pciitlOl
for a reduction of taxes on general prin-
cipleS.
WATER WANTED.
The petition of Patrick Cleary and others,
praying that water pipe be laid upon Cedar
street, was reported upon favorably by the
WaterwOrkS Committee.
IMPROVING SOUTH CHERRY STREET.
On motion of Councilman Gaut, the
rules were suspended in order to take final
action of the bill providing for the improve
ment of South Cherry street from the
north corner of the city cemetery to the De-
catur depot. The bill calls for an appro-
priation of $3.50 and provides that the
work be let by contract to the lowest bid
der. The bill passed third reading hy
unanimous vote and was at once trans
mitted to the Board of Aldermen.
WANTS A REDUCTION.
The petition of J. 5. Beadle, praying
that the rent of his stall in the market
house be reduced from SIPS to S75 was re-
ferred TO the MarkethOuse Committee.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS.
The bill providing for the taxing of meT-
chandize brokers passed second and third
readings under a suspension of the rules.
PAYING FOR A BROKEN ARM.
The bill appropriating $50 as a dOna-
tion to L. b. Varona, on account OF his
having his arm broken while on duty as
engineer of one of the city fire engines,
passed third reading.
NOPE WATER PIPE.
The bill appropriating $500 to lay water
pipe on Wharf and Sycamore streets, and
the one appropriating 500 to lay water
pipe on Melvin street, from High to Vine,
passed third reading.
EAS-HoRB Gas.
The petition which excited so much dis
custom in the former Boards, praying that
the Peoples Gas Light Company be grant
ell the privilege of laying gas pipe III the
streets and alleys of the city, was again
presented with additional signatures, max
ING a total of 5000 names. The bill was
referred to special committee, consisting
of Councilmen Gaut, Lindsey, Fogg. Am
brose and HALEY.
BUSINESS FROM THK oTHkR BOARD.
The bill appropriating s25 per month to
nav for clerical assistance rendered the va
rious standing and special committees,
passed three readings under a suspension
| of the rules.
FILLING CENTER STREET.
The bill appropriating S222.cO to repay
Mr.. NestOr for money he expended in
making NIL Oh Center street, passed first
reading.
EXTRA wATCHMEN AT THEATRES.
The bill repeating the ordinance which
requires theatrical managers to pay extra
WatchHien at theatres, passed flrst reading.
INTERESTING 70 THEATRk-GoERs.
The bill passed at its last meeting, by
| the Board of Aldermen, repeating the ordi-
nance which fixes the privilege tax on the
| atrical exhibitions at Shopper annum, came
up on first reading.
The effect of this bill being that it would
leave in operation an ordinance which pro
| yides for taxing theatrical exhibitions SD
| for each performance, Councilman TOSieS
strongly opposed its passage. He said that
| il is a well known fact that first-class the
| atrical performances constitute a great at
| traction in cities. They are an in
ducement to country people to visit
| cities, where they spend money in
numerous ways, and increase business gen
orally, and thereby increase the amount OF
taxes collected by the city. They benefit
| hotels, street railways, and indeed, all ave
nues of trade. BY the repeal of this law
| another is re-enacted which taxes theatre
I Nlt NeAlAA III
| stead of taxing the owner of the building
| 500 per annum.
Ii has been said that the owner of the
| building taxes the companies the Slj per
! night. but this is mistake. Mr.. AllOway
rents the Opera House TO theatrical com
! panies for $50 per night, and this sum in
cludes the amount he pays out for gas, city.
county, and State tax, hired help and all
the running expenses.
He has been offered rental of $1,000
per annTun for his theatre, by parties who
wish to convert u iHio a iirst class livery
stable, but as it is really.
THE ONLY THEATRE IN THE CISY
he will not accept the Offer, notwithstand-
ing the fact that his profits from renting
the theatre amount, on an average to only
about 400, per annum, the property being
valued at 5000.
He makes no charge for the use of the
building when occupied for charitable
| purposes, and he should be afforded some
| protection in his rights. If this bill passes
Nashville will be entirelyayOided by theat-
rical companies, as the tax will then be too
| OnerOus to warrant them visiting our city.
| ~ present.
TEN COMPANIES
are booked for performances at the opera
house, and | am informed that al these
\ engagements will be cancelled il this bill
passes. | consider that its passage would
| be a '.penny-wise and pound foolish
measure, and would move to amend the
bill SO as to leave the law as it now is, ex-
cepting that 500, be stricken out, and 500,
as yearly tax be inserted.
The amendment was agreed to and the
bill as amended passed first reading.
INTERROGATION.
The resolution instructing the School
| Committee to inquire why the Board of
Education do not report quarterly to the City
| Council, was adopted.
WHAT ARE NASHVILLE CHILDREN BEING
TAUGHT?
The resolution instructing the Superin-
tendent of the Public Schools of Nashville
to report to the City Council the number of
teachers employed in said schools, the
| branches taught, and the amount paid each
teacher for any particular branch of study,
was adopted.
STREET RAILWAY COMPANIES TO BE
LOOKED AFTER.
Bv Councilman Edwards-ResOlutiOn in
structing the City Marshal to enforce the
ordinance which requires Street Railway
Companies to keep their tracks in order.
Adopted.
Bill apprcpriating S297 for the benefit of
Alfred Kane, passed second reading.
ADDITIONAL SCHOOL BUILDINGS.
By Councilman Gaut-ResolutiOn in
structing the School Committee to inquire
into the expediency of erecting additional
school buildings in the Hume district.
Adopted.
To LAY WATER PIPE.
The following bills were introduced and
referred to the Waterworks Committee and
the Committee on Improvements and Ex-
penditures:
BY Councilman Moore-TO lay water
pipe on Gleaves street.
Bv Councilman Reddick-To lay water
pipe on Shankland street and also on Gay
street.
SEVERE ON THE LEsSEEs OF THE PENI-
TENTIARY.
By Councilman Berline-Bill providing
for the cutting off of the supply of water