Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1868-07-30
rnEDRAYmEN AND CARRIERS.
Great Demonstration Of the
WOrkingmen.
A Procession I've Miles and a
Quarter in Length.

The public have been kept posted by
reports from time to time in the daily
press Of the city, of the progress Of the
organized resistance on the part Of the
draymen, carriers, haekmen and Others
Interested, against the act Of the Legis-
iature, or rather the construction put by
Mr.. John Losgue, County Clerk, upon
the act OF the Legislature levying tax
upon their vehicles. This resistance has
been going on for some three months,
and the best legal talent of the city has
been consulted on both sides.
A few days ago notice was published
in the daily papers, stating that distress
warrants had been issued, and were in
the hands Of the proper officer for en-
foreement, and calling upon all the drsy-
men, carriers, and others interested, in
the city, to assemble on Wednesday
morningan and march ia procession through
the streets.
Accordingly about o'clock yesterday
morning the majority of the drivers of
sllsorts OF vehicles in the city, assembled,
with thsir tuTnouts, on the bluff, between
Madison and Monroe streets, and we're
arranged Ia procession in the following
order: At the head of the column was
the Marshal, Thos. Ford, Esq, assisted
by T. w. O'DonnelI, Esq, President
Drsymen's Association, G. J. Hargan
and Thos. Madden, Esqs., as assistants.
A large band wagon, covered with can
vass, came next. On the sides Of this
wagon was painted a design representing
a donkey with an enormous bale, or load
upon his back. The load was labelled
tax" with the legend, " Hard to tote"
On the one side OF this was inscribed,
"Give the poor S chance" and on the
other, "No taxation on labOr.n The
bard was followed by seventeen hacks
in which were seated the Mayor, Alder
men and city officers. These were fol-
lowed by about two hundred and fifty
carts aud drays, and some fifteen or
twenty parcel express wagons, making
in Rii about two hundred and sixty-fve
or seventy vehicles. Allowing only
thirty-fve feet spsee, (which is small
estimate) it would make the procession
the very respectable length Of two miles,
nesrly.
After forming, the lins of march was
taken up, and the procession passed
down Front to Vance, through Vance 10
Main, up Main TO Sycamore. through
sycamore to Second, down Second to
Madison, through Madison to Front
sgain, and thence TO the City Hsll-at
which point they were addressed by
Mayor Lsftwich, Judge Swayne and
Attorney Morgan. After the addresses,
the ssssmblags broke up, and most Of
the participants returned to their daily
avoeations,
To form some idea Of the grievances of
which these sons Of toll have to com
plain, we will simply state fact brought
to our notice by one of them yesterday.
The city tax on single drsy is eleven
dollars on double drsy, seventeen.
The State and county tax, in addition to
that, is twenty-one dollars, making
tOtsl Of thirty-two dollars. The amount
Of money represented by horse and
dray is hundred and fifty dollars. So
here We have yearly tax Of thirty-two
dollars on one hundred and fifty Was
anything ever more iniquitous or bur-
theusOme7
The whole sffIir was most admirably
conducted, aud the order maintained
was marvellous, considering the number
Of men engaged in the demons tration.
Such an uprising as this of the bone and
sinew Of the people, cannot fail to have
great effect ia urging upon those who
have the power an abatement OF their
grievances.
In conclusion, We are requested to in
seFt the following:
Aessrs. Editors: As there is an opin-
ion prevailing that the Drsymen's AssO-
citation is political organization or that
it can be used for that purpose, the Off
GERS of the Association want it distinctly
understood that there is nothing proscrip-
tive, partisan or political connected with
it. Tney would, also, wish to state that
they are under obligations to Messrs. J.
G. Hoist and others, for furnishing must
cal accommodations
In behalf of the officers,
JAMES 3. SCOTT. Sec