Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1859-07-20

MAros's o~rrle5,l

Mra1FHIs, July 10, 1859. !
10th Honorable, the Board q -sidcmen Of he
city ef MemPhis-
CrSrIEMEE; The individuals elected to hl
the various Offices under the CITY government
for the s3d corporate year, having been duly
/ Installed In the various Offices for which they
were elected-the organization being compile
ted, and you about to enter upon the discharge
OF the higher duties assigned you, that Of leg
islating for the government Of the ethyl pro-
pose to call your attention to a few subjects
which I think should be promptly and mature
~ considered by your honorable body, and
such action taken thereon as Their importance
demands. The duties Of your honorable board
are begun under a state Of things more auspi-
cious than existed at the beginning Of The year
Just past The embarrassment in trade re-
sultng from the rsvuision OF 1851 which still
fingered at the ommsneement Of The past cor
porate year, have passed away, and trade and
the pursuits Of labor are now established upon
a basis more healthy than has perhaps ever
been known in the history OF our city lndi-
yidaal prosperity, and . general progressive
Improvement are everywhere apparent
REVISION OF y REvENuE LAWS
Under the existing revenue ordinances,
the psvment of tax cannot Be enforced
until the end o. the year for which The
levy was made consequently no means
can reasonably be expected from that
source to aid IN defraying the necessary ex-
penses Of the city government unless a large
discount is held out to tax payers, TO induce
them to come forward early and pay. To ef-
feet this, the rate Of discount held out mus; be
greatly beyond the market value q money.
/ would recommend that an ordinance be pass
ed, fixing the time OF payment Of all tax with
IN a period Of sixty OF ninety days after The
levy shall have been made. Alargs sum might
thur be saved to the city which now has to be
paid for the use Of money TO carry on the city
government and meet liabilities constantly
due. Il is for your honorable body 10 deter
min whether the present, almost Uinous PTae-
tiee shall be continued, or a better one insti-
tuted for the future
I would also recommend a revision Of the
Ordinance regulating the license tax to be paid
draws, carts, wagons, etc. Think it bad
policy to tax labor, il it can be avoided
Would il not be more wise and more Just TO
make the tax only sufficient to pay for issa-
ing the license, and for the numbers furnished
for the vehicles, and raise the revenue for the
Of the city government, BY taxing the
actual wealth owned in the city. II the OWL
srs OF all heavy vehicles were required to use
the Tkrss Ineh Tie, the saving to the city in
diminished street repairs would equal the
Of the tax now collected, and our
streets paved with gravel might, with little
expense, be kept in repair, and a more eKPen-
siye system Of street Improvements be found
unnecessary. Drsys, carts, Wagons. etc,
used BY individuals in carrying on the business
which they are engaged, if taxed at all,
should be taxed lightly.
RAILROADS..
The subject Of a loan to the Mississippi and
Tennessee Railroad, to aid its completion to
Grenada, Mississippi, thereby sfeeting a con-
with the Mississippi Central Railroad
at that point, viii, in all probability, be
before you at an early day. I would
earnestly recommend aid, in some shape or
,ther, to effect 50 desirable an object
A railroad to extend from the western bank
# the Mississippi river opposite this city, and
o connect with the Iron Mountain Railroad
to the Missouri line, would be work
II great value to our city, as it would secure
% US a trade from the great west, the value Of
cannot readily be estimated. / would,
bsrsfors, recommend that your honorable
BODY take such action in regard thereto as will
,ring the subject directly before the citizens Of
he city and country adjacent, that The interest
+ all directly interested may be enlisted, and
II induced to come forward and lend their aid.
The work so began as to insure its esupletion,
be mischief now plotting against US sill have
zen defeated.
WATER WORKS.
Icannot urge upon your Honorable Body too
the necessity fortaking some steps to-
yard the erection Of water works, to supply
be city with water. The necessity for it is
ally Increasing. Everyloss By fire is a strong
in favor Of the measure, The IN
wholesome stencil arising from the cutters
long every sidewalk in The city calls loudly
or some arrangement By which water can be
eeured for their purifcation- I am persuaded
hat when completed the water rents viii very
con give hack the cost to the city, and that the
to the owners Of property would be
nnually greater, perhaps double, the cost Of
the works. u~epropriety Of attempt
lg the erection Of water works at this time, is
DIT your Honorable Body to determine. !
%srERPRETER FoR R~EcoRDER's oUET.
To aid the Recorder in the administration Of
and facilitate the dispatch Of business
the Recorders Court. does not sound policy
equire that an interpreter should be employed
0 interpret for those who cannot speak our
He could perform the further duty
{ taking charge Of those who fail TO pay their
mes, and deliver them to the Captain Of the
h~ain-gang-
ECRETARY FOR THE al Of ALDERMEN AND
III ~EECoEDER's COURT
I would suggest for the consideration of
om Honorable body the prOpriety Of creating
Office Of Secretary Of the Board Of Alder
len and Of the Recorders Court. This would
shsvs the City Registrar OF a large amount Of
duty, and enable him to devote more
inc to the legitimate business Of his Office,
hereby securing desirable dispatch in the bus
ness Of his Office.
DIsFESsARY.