Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1867-01-14
TO TAX.PAYERS.
Exposition by Judge Leonard
What he has to say Regarding
Charges made against him.


l am a plain man and have ne desire to
handy either words or wit with editors or olli-
cial gentlemen. 1t gratiiies me to know that
have the confidence Of many men of all parties,
who have known me for over twenty years
and in justice to myself and friends. propose
to respond to numerous recent attacks by
making brief statement offacts.
THE PRESENT ATTACKS
In the newspaper press and in the County
Court, I was during last week grossly assailed,
and abused number Of times, the primary
cause Of which was my unwillingness to pay
out twenty thousand dollars to Mr.. Powers
the Jail Contractor, (who. by the by, is very
clever gentleman, } from the county treasury,
until / was satisfied that he (he Jail Con.
tractor) had justly earned that amount, in ad-
dition to twelve thousand eight hundred dol
lars previously paid to him. ! proposed that
he should wait from Saturday until Monday
when the architect could make report OF the
work done, and then the Quarterly Court could
take action on the matter This originated
the recent attacks on me. AS such attacks
made by sworn guardians Of the public. would
strike the public as odd If not there
is an effort to Justify them by unfounded ale
cations that in other cases have done some
thing wrong.
T have been but q short time in Office, and
had done nothing TO merit either praise or cen
sure, when, as you will remember. was sub
iectcd to much ridicule and abuse because !
had been appointed by the only government
in existence in our State. The feeling IN
spring these attacks gradually gave place %
better counsels, and public business was pretty
harmoniously conducted when the Jaw trans
ferring the county seat Of Shelby county from
Raleigh to Memphis, was, as belieye' APP
proved by popular vote. l was ready to
comply with what / regarded as the wish anu
interest of the great body of tho people Of
Shelby county. and especially OF all lawyers
and clients having either probate or other bnsi-
ness before the County Courts. Some OF the
magistrates differed in opinion, honestly no
doubt. and the breach occasioned thereby has
been widened by the influence of parties who
dislike that the chairmanship OF the County
Court, which was held for many years prior TO
my term, by resident Of the county, should
not still be so. | have thus been, contrary to
NV wishes, where, in addition to taking care
of public interest, / have had to meet the Jeal-
ousy of political partizanship, OF local feeling
and of personal aspirations. l regret If 1 have
shown at any time discourtesy to those OPP
posed TO my views, but defy any one to show
where have done one act that was illegal OF
corrupt, or contrary to the interests of the pub
lie. say this in the broadest and fullest
sense.
CITY IND COUNTRY MAGISTRATES
There are six magistrates, members of the
County Court who are supposed to take espe-
cial care of Memphis. There are :wenty-fouI
magistrates, members of the County Court, who
are supposed to favor the interests of the rura
districts when these interests are made to ap-
pear contrary to Memphis.
have no desire to question the honesty OF
purpose of any member Of the County Court
lint il is obvious that gentlemen have been to
some extent influenced by that supposed antas-
onism Of interests
If l am wrong in this, it is al error shared bS
n large majority of the citizens OF Memphis
who had business before the County Court.
THE BULLETIN CASH.
To the recent attacks in the Apalaaehe ant
Co,auaereial, relative to the Balteha work fol
the county, and advertising for myself, and thu
suhseoucnt lame confederation Of unjust anC
malicious charges. by the statement of an Off
cial. that he thought had done something
wrong and tsld the reporter so, have only Thu
to say: Tho Official knows even less law thar
I supposed, if be imagines that his regrets. be
cause after paying out 1850, hesitate to pay
$40 600 more. until assured that 1t had beer
earned; his profound sympathy with persons
who can't get pay until it is known they have
done the work iorit; his denuneiatiOn Of myself
or his confdeEt assurances to the reporter, arr
more proof tasn bosh.
70. ss =.sEs:sii expected &c guard .he s-s.:;
treasury, he is wonderfully zealous that Mr.
Powers should be lsid. and because Mr.. Pow
ers was not paid. he is wonderfully certain thai
did something wrong in the Buliefin matter
FULL ExPLAxAfI0N.
This Bulleiia matter is lusged in to S~ssif,
the attacks which are inspired by regrets thal
I would not take money out Of the CountS
Treasury without Investigation.
The facts in the Balleiin case are simply these
In April, 1855. The County Court allowed. boif
70 the magistrates who had served three
months. and % those who have terved year,
one hundred dollars each to pay for blanks.
For the 20 magistrates. this would be $50
for the previous year tW@suppOsed that II
would be cheaper Cor the ensuing year to set al
the blanks printed and kept b. the County
Court Clerk, to be given out to magistrates A.
tbey desired them. The BsHsfia niihted blank