Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1867-10-25

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The CASE OF THE CRY ENGINEER.
In message to the Board Of Aldermen
yesterday afternoon, the Mayor refused
to comply with the order of that body to
reinstate Mr.. Francis Foster, City En-
gineer. According to the message, the
committee appointed to investigate the
charges had declared themselves satisfied
of Mr.. Fosters incompetency, and he
understood a report would be made
against retaining him. One member
went so far as to mention the name Of
a distinguished engineer as his successor.
The Mayor had large number of COM
petent witnesses ready to testify to the
engineers un6tness for the position, if it
had been known their evidence was
needed. The Mayor proceeded to show
that the engineer had been unable to give
the correct measurement of the dimen-
sions of three cisterns ordered. He dis
claimed any personal ill-will toward Mr.
Foster, but deemed him either incompe-
tent or careless, or both. This portion
of the message provoked discussion of
the character which has become one of
the Boards chief characteristics. Ele.
CANT epithets were ventilated in the
courtly manner for which some of our
aldermen have become distinguished,
and which has done so much to restore
the public cofdence, and elevate scrip to
such dazzling altitude. In public
meeting the taxpayers should return a
vote of thanks to the Board for the cour-
tesy the members have uniformly shown
each other and the Mayor in debate, for
their Chesterfeldian bearing generally,
and for the incalculable benefits accru-
ing to the public therefrom. 1t
is sweet to see brethren dwelling
together in unity; and the constant il
lustration of these gentle courtesies and
amenities which so adorn the official
walk and conversation of some of our
city fathers seems to herald the speedy
advent of that blessed period when the
lion and the lamb shall lie down to-
gether. The utter absence of partisan
ship in the deliberations of the Board
and the classic, ornate oratory of differ
ent members, cannot fail to have pro-
duced profound impression on the
pnblic mind. All, why cannot all bodies
of public men illustrate the noble at
tributes which our municipal authorities
possess, and which are fitting them for
so dazzling a position in hstory's pam
theon2 But our enthusiasm for the
Board has drifted us from the finale of
the engineer question, which was at last
settled by the Mayor being ordered to
reinstate Mr.. Foster The absurdity of
Aldermanic committee investigations has
been so often shown that no one dreams
of attaching any importance to them.
Aldermen know little if anything about
engineering, and their decision relative
to question of competency, whether
pro or con, carries no weight Serious
charges have been made against Mr..
Foster, and as the Committees report
specified nothing, he still suffers in pub
lie estimation. His department is one
of vast public Importance, now involving
the expenditure of millions of dollars
annually. Why not have the question at
issue forever determined by, thorough
investigation made by competent civil
engineers under the direction of the
Board2 This would mean something.
New MEMPHIS THEATER.-The natural
result of the very large attendance
Wednesday and prospective beneht
this evening, produced a rather small
audience at the theater last night But
that did not prevent Little Barefoot
from being played with much spirit, nor
those present from evincing their plea
sure with the performance by frequent
and hearty applause, Miss Melville's
Little Barefoot" was very engaging
personation, though by no means equal to
her Fanchon," which was decidedly
the best of her efforts this week. Her
radiant face, ever wreathed with smiles,
and her charming freshness and girlish
righteousness would place her high
among favorites even were she not brim-
full Of merit. She sang a couple of songs
last night, which were well received, and
produced another bouquet shower. This
evening Miss Melville will take her first
benefit, and in contemplating the at
tractive programme to be presented, our
theater. goers should remember that she
...i,o,aared ma night this week in the