Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1867-10-24


wheat, rye, oats, corn, barley, etc, ETC.,
are relieved from the payment Of even
nominal per centage. This, il would
seem, can scarcely be a wise policy for any
just Government 10 pursue. II can
hardly be fair to make any one class Of
producers pay all the taxes for the other
classes. And remembering, too, that
the producers OF cotton are generally OF
that class recently emancipated from
slavery, and wholly unable to bear the
terrible burdens which this tax imposes
most directly upon this particular class,
we respectfully submit whether an en-.
lightened and wise policy would not
dictate not only the removal Of the tax,
but also in its stead, substitution OF
such other legislation as will tend TO
stimulate rather than retard its produc
ton. In view, therefore, Of the foregoing,
we, the merchants and business men Of
Memphis, beg to submit the following:
Resolred, That the growth, greatness
and credit of the United States demand
from her legislators such wise laws as
will stimulate the growth and encourage
the production of her great agricultural
stainless t r4
Resolced, That believing the increased
culture Of cotton to be directly allied
with the prosperity and credit Of the Gov.
eminent, and reaizng-as we do now
most painfully-the utter impossibility Of
producing it successfully under existing
laws, we respectfully but earnestly re.
quest from Congress such early action by
their honorable body as will speedily do
away with all these disabilities which are
now actually entailiDg ruin upon all per-
sons engaged in its production.
ReSolred, That in order to enable that,
by far, larger class Of cotton producers,
the lately emancipated slaves, to realize
something like fair compensation for
their labor-which is now simply out Of
the observation-disclosures reasons of the
greavest character--appealing directly to
our humanity-present themselves for
the early repeal of this burdensome tax.
ReSolred, That it is our deliberate con.
viction that the interests Of the Govern
ment would be greatly promoted by such
generous assistance as would rebuild the
wasted levees along our great Mississippi
river, thereby reclaiming the many mil
| lions of the most productive cotton lands
now lying idle, and thus assisting to
stimulate as largely as possible the
growth of American cotton.
Resolued, That copy Of the action of
this meeting in pamphlet form, be sent
to the various Chambers of Commerce
throughout the United States, with o
request that each of them join with us in
presenting this subject to Congress.
Resolued, That copy be sent also to
the Secretary of the Treasury, each and
every member of the House Of Congress,
before converting, so that the subject
may be prominently kept before them !;
that copy be sent to each of our imme-
date representatives at Nashville, and
that our merchants be requested to for
ward copies to their various correspond
ents in the Northern and Eastern cities.
On motion of Mr.. Charles ]. Phillips,
the memorial and resolutions were re-
ceived and reported.
Mr.. W. S. Pickett moved that three
thousand copies of the committees re-
port be printed in pamphlet form for
general circulation.
The chairman regarded the language
of the memorial as too general in some
portions, and thought Congress should
be plainly told that all engaged in cult
waiting cotton were being ruined by the
tax.
Mr.. Pickett agreed with him, re-
marking he had so stated in the COM
mitteeroom. On his motion, Mr.. Moore
incorporated into the memorial an
explanation of the effects of the tax
Mr.. A. Hitzfeld called attention to a
circular of Cincinnati firm, urging the
Southern people to petition Congress to
repeal the tax.
On motion, the meeting adjourned.
Our JOE OFFICE. The PUBLIC LEDGEl
job printing department has been lately
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Our prices viii continue to be the mos
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Call at 215 Main street, corner CT
Adams. 7
CHILLs NO MORE may now be said for
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MANSFIELD & HIGBEE,
Sole Projectors
Silk undershirts and drawers at
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It robson, sNBBD & co.
GENTLEMES, ifyou want shirts, under
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