Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1861-07-17

On th4 action OF Aid. Dupree the board Of
aldermen has appointed Aldermen Dupree,
Morgan and Farmer a COMMITTEES to draw up
amendments to the city charter, to be propos-
ed at the next meeting Of the State Legislature.
This committee has met, and among the re-
concentrations at present considered by them
is enc to the following effect:
= That all that district of country embraced
within the following limits be included within
the corporate limits of the city of Memphis, to
wit: Beginning at q point in the middle Of the
Mississippi river which the south boundary
line Of the HoPefald Land company would
strike if extended west thence due east three
niles; thence due south to a point oPpo-
site the eastern end Of Walker avenue; thence
west with the line of Walker avenue to the
middle of tue Mississippi river thence north
ward With the middle of the Mississippi river
to the place Of beginning.
This district Of three miles square would in
elude within the city limits the town Of Chel-
sea on the north, a strip Of country extending
to a distance beyond the fair grounds On the
east, and Chickasaw city on the south. As
the latter place has a charter of organization,
a clause is added repeating that act. The
question Of enlarging the city limits embraces
several important considerations that ought to
be maturely considered. By extension prop
erty is brought within the city that derives its
vaIse chiefly from its coutiguity to the city,
and those who dwell upon it draw their sub
- ~ a. TVfg establishes 2
lust claim for intending such territories within
the city limits. On the contrary, while the
city would by such extension of her limits eX-
tend the amount of property from which rev
enue could be derived, she contracts certain
obligations as to opening streets, making pro-
vision against fires, exercising police super
vision, and other ways, all Of which involve
outlay. We have received the following com
munication upon this important subject:
EDITORS AFPEAL:' Among the proceedings
of our board Of aldermen at its last meeting,
we have noticed a resolution, introduced
and referred to the appropriate committee,
providing that such amendments as may be
thought necessary to our city charter should
be prepared and submitted to the board toE.its
action preparatory to laying them before the
Legislature of the State, which will convene in
October next. We deem this a good movement
on the part Of our boatd Of aldermen, as cur
city charter needs amendment in several very
important particulars, and in none more than
in relation to the extension eff our city limits.
Our corporate limits are now too contra cted;
our city is largely in debt; and millions of dol
lars worth Of property adjoining her bounda-
ries, and owned by parties who claim
to be citizens Of Memphis, is now exempt
from taxation, because it is not embraced
within her limits. The parties who own this
property enjoy all the advantages Of the city
Just as if thew were living in the corporation.
And while this is the case they are freed from
bearing the burdens Of taxation to sustain the
city government, and carry out the purposes
Of her charter.
We think that our candidates for the legi5-
lature should be called on for their views on
this subject, and the people Of the city should
refuse to vote for any aspirants for legislative
hoROrs unless be declares himself in favor of
the extension Of cur city limits.
EXTENSION.