Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-02-05
CITY MATTERS.
Meeting OF the Board Of
Mayor and Aldermen.

Mofiet and Ellis
A message from the Mayor was road
relative TO various matters. IL recon-
mends the faithful carrying out of the
agreement relative 70 the Navy Yard
property; and suggested that the Navy
Yard books be turned over to the City
Treasurer; notified the Board that the
contract for furnishing slop carts, which
cost the city from $500 to 5000 per
month, had been ordered terminated (;
said the appropriation at late meeting
of $500 for the poor was imperative and
cannot be carried out; recommended
that the salaries of firemen yet to be
elected be as follows: Engineers fire
steamers, sl25 captains Of com
panies, 500; and privates, $50 each
reduction on the present rates OF
$1,000 per month-recommended, rela-
tive to the 100000 due from property
holders for the Jefferson street pave
meut, that the City Attorney be in
structed to bring test suit that both
parties may know the law in the prem
Uses, announces that the Street Commits
sioner has been ordered to pay the street
force as follows Captain of changing
per month, SIS; Assistants, $50; Car
penter, $50; Cartmen, 40; Night Watch
men, $50; Stable Keeper, 65; Laborers
per day, 81 so; and recommends the
suspension of the waterworks and sew
erage preliminary survey, which has
already cost $4,000, and the discharge
of all the employees. The message
closes with recommending the following
proposition relative to the financial con-
dition of the city:
l. That noapplications or propositions
for improvements or work or labor, not
absolutely and imperatively required,
and involving an expenditure of over
$3.50, will, for the next twelve months, be
tolerated or couEtenanced by this Board.
2. That the Mayor and Controller, un-
til further orders from the Board, are
0tTtU1 hOb w ioouC ohJ mOAO
city scrip or warrants on the Treasurer,
except the cash is actually in the Treas
ury to pay the same, or except to reve-
nue. officers on orders received by them
in payment of debts due the city.
3. That is the sense and determination
of this Board that the current expenses
of the city government for the next
twelve months shall in no event exceed
$4,000 per month.
4. That all the resources of the city
government be rigidly applied with the
exceptions mentioned of current ex-
penses, to the payment of the liabilities
of the city.
5. ThatHisHonor the Mayor be request
ed to recommended from time to time
such other and further retrenchment
upon the part of the city authorities as
may be desirable in the premises, and
that he be required to enforce by law
Immediately the collection of all claims
and debts due the city.
6. That this Board solicits propositions
to fund her past due debts upon fair and |
suitable terms, and will expect her citi-
zens so disposed, and able to do so, to |
cooperate with the corporate authorities
in the reduction of the city debts, and |
the restoration of her credit, but relies
mainly upon the policy of economy and
retrenchment for final success, aud be-
lieves the resources more than ample to |
meet, at an early day, all the liabilities
of the corporation.
7. That for the purpose of suspending |
the affairs of the city for the time being, |
except for the collection of its debts. and |
the payment of its liabilities, this Board |
will hereafter meet in public session,
only on the first Tuesday in every month.
Dr. j. M. Keller reported lib patients
now in hospital, and sent in a requisi-
ton, which was granted.
Colonel J. L. Chandler, Tax Collector
on Privileges, reported collections
amounting to $8,368 so, from the 9th to
the 25th Of January.
The North Market collections were
$62 rs; South Market, $73.
The expenses of the Fire Department
in January, were 1866 81.
The Wharfmaster's collections from
January 9 to February l, were S2,8l7 10.
The City Inspectors collections from
the 10th ult. to LIST inst, were S72 %.
1t was decided to transfer the indi-
vidual ledger from the Controllers to
the Registers office, and the Navy Yard
books to the City Treasurer's Office, thus
tightening the Controllers duties. The
latter's request for an allowance for
clerk here was refused.
A report from the Finance Committee,
relative to finances, says:
Letters received by the Chairman of
the Committee from Mayor Leftwich
and +. II. Cassett, saying to him that
the credit of the city of Memphis has
got in such condition in New York,
that to attempt to borrow money in that
city until we improved our credit at
home, and showed stern determine
ton to retrench in every possible
way, would be utterly unavailing. Your
committee, in view of the credit of the
city and stringencies of the times, APP
pealed TO the solid men of the city for :
loan from them, of funds enough to pay
monthly the current expenses Of the city
government, which we have strong hopes
will result in good. There is a commit
tee of three citizens, we are informed, |
now projecting plans for our relief, which
will be presented to the citizens meet
ing at Odd Fellows Hall tomorrow.
evening In conclusion, permit your
committee to urge the cutting down OF
every expense that is possible.
The Committee reported that the city J