Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-05-18


The drsymen Of the city, who have
formed themselves into nm association
for co.operatiye resistance Of the tax o
ten dollars for State and ten dollars fol
county, imposed on their vehicles pnde'
recent enactment Of the Genera Assem-
bly,, reassembled in the City Hall on Sat
urday evening, pursuant TO a previous
adjournment, and were presided over by
| Alderman 7. W. O'Donnell, the regularly
appointed chairman Of the organization
A report Of the committee, instructed
to wal. on Judge Archibald Wright and
other legal gentlemen, with view ia
ascertaining their opinions as to the
proper construction Of the law imposing
the onerous tax, being called for, Mr.. g
j. Hargan, on behalf Of the committee
represented that he, with his associates
had called on Judge Wright and had
been informed by that gentleman that
in his opinion, Mr.. Wallace and Mr.
Woodward, County Attorney, had con-
strued the law improperly. He did moi
consider that drays were liable TO be
taxed, as they were not mentioned in the
act, and that so far as carts were con-
cerned, the law only referred, in his opin-
ion, to express wagons. He also said
that, if the drsymen intended to try a
test case in the courts, he would be glad
to be one Of the counsel, but he did not
intend to give his services for nothing.
This report was received with manifest
qualification by all present The
committee appointed to solicit funds for
defraying the expense Of litigation,
should the matter be taken into the
courts, being called on, reported collec-
tons to the amount of $64 rs, and
asked for further time, which was
granted. A motion was then carried
that Mr.. Fox, the treasurer OF the asso-
citation, be required to give a bond Of
$1,000, and Messrs. Sullivan, Ford and
Larkin were appointed committee to
receive the same. Mr.. Moffet being
called on, made some well-timed re-
marks regarding the question before the
meeting, in the course of which he urged
co operation among the working men Of
all classes, as means of not only re-
dressing their present grievance, but
conducting to their interest and welfare
in all time to come. He saw no reason
why the working men of Memphis, like
those of other cities, should not have
their own building associations, and il
necessary, their own banking, insurance
and kindred institutions, as a protection
against the monopolies which are
detrimental to their interests. He
approved the movement inaugurated by
the draymen, and hoped to see their ex-
ample initiated by the laboring men Of
every trade and avocation. Gen. Wal.
lace was also called on and addressed
the meeting briefly, in the course of his
remarks proposing, if it was the wish oil
the draymen, to address note to Mr..
Thorne, his successor as Attorney Gene.
raj, and obtain his opinion as to what
should be the construction of the law
touching the taxation complained Of
An opinion was then read from Judge j.
T. Swayne, in which that gentleman as
sumed the ground that, as drays were moi
| mentioned at all in the act of the General
Assembly, the draymen were not liable
to taxation. This was received with
much enthusiasm, and thanks voted
Judge Swayne for the interest he had
taken in investigating the matter
Messrs. C. j. Hargan, Thomas Ford, Tim
Foley, John Larkin and J. Strader were
appointed a committee to correspond
with Attorney General Thorne and
report at the next meeting. President
O'Donnell vacating the chair, stated that
as the colored drayman seemed disposed
to be backward in their contributions, he
wished to inform them that their money
would pass into none but honest hands
and be used only for the common well
fare and interest. The meeting then
after disposing of some business of minor
I
importance, adjourned
trimmings and buttons, the latest