Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-12-07

i H@tNN|f a" '~*~-""' ~ ""~'t
EpIroas LrD0KR: Sinoa the Quostio
has been acitated In regard 10 tho sale I
The city stock Of $3.50, 900 in the Missi
sippi and Tennessee rAiload TO the 10
sees Of the Mississippi Central RAILROAD
and others, i have carefully read III
comments Of the city press, and Of VI
rious correspondents, upon the suhjec
aud have also given my attention 70 th
discussion before the Board Of Alder
men. regret exceedingly, MI: Editor
that instead Of discussing the fru
merits Of the question, editors and cor
respondents have descended 10 person
alities. received on Saturday q com
municAtion from one OF our mos
public-spirited citizens, who is at pres
ent in Nashville, expressing surprise m.
constituent that there should be sucl
opposition to the sale Of the eity's stool
for the purpose OF forming the consoli
dation as proposed by Gen. West ant
Col. Tate. Much has bsen said abou
Tate's opposition to Memphis, about hi
having sold out his interest here, etc
There is not word Of truth in thes'
assertions; Tate has and still owns
large real estate interest in this city.
have known Sam. Tate for forty-ons
wears, and truer friend to Memphis ant
her interests have never known, and
defy your correspondents aud hnancia
editor TO show the contrary. The Missis
sippi Central railroad has always, until
Col Tate's connection with IT, been run
10 the detriment Of Memphis, and how
Is Il working now2 Ask Frank White,
the President of the Mississippi and
Tennessee road, il the cars on his road
are not run through every day between
Grenada and New Orleans. Ask him
and his excellent Superintendent, Liver
more, il Tate has not granted them every
facility for the transportation Of freight
ana passengers over his road. They
will tell YOU he has. Ask M. j. Wicks,
President of the Memphis and Charles
ton road, ard he will also inform you
that Tate is not working his road to the
ipjury of Memphis. Now, i will ask you
the question, is not this the FIRST Presi-
dent the Central road has ever had, who
did not run this road entirely sutago-
nistic to the interests Of Memphis and Of
Frank Whites road. Now, sir, doesthis
look like Tate was working against Mem
mis- and her interests. / mention the
above facts to vindicate Tate. know the
man: he is my friend; and Memphis
has always had a strong ally in him.
Iwant to say something myself in re-
gard to the proposed railroad consolida-
ton, and what effect, in my opinion, 1t
will have upon Memphis.
In the FIRST place, my information Is,
that the lessees of the Central road are
gentlemen of large means and fully
able to carry out any enterprise
which they undertake. They propose
TO the city to take her stock in the
Mississippi and Tennessee road at
ten cents in the dollar, which is more
than it is worth; in fact the stock IS
worthless-and / mean what | say
for it is only matter of time, and that
not far of, before the road will pass into
the hands of the bondholders. The OBJ
iect of the above mentioned gentlemen is
to get control of the city's stock, so that
the consolidation may be effected as
soon as possible. for it is a question that
will not admit Of delay for, as ] under
stand from some of the interested parties,
that if this connection cannot be effected,
they will be compelled, under their con-
tract. TO push forward as fast as possible
the Central road from Jackson, Tenn,
Re Paducah, KY, thereby making a
line that will always of necessity
be antagouistic to the interests of Menu
mis-. / hope, however. that wiser couns
sells will prevail with our city suthori-
ties: for as ! believe Memphis has
ii now in her power TO get back all the
trade she has lost. Make this proposed
connect all orr roads at
one central depot, remove all restrictions
from trade and travel; and, if necessary,
run your roads through the center OF the
city' rather than make no connection at
All. You will then BE on the shortest
line of travel BY rail; you can then have
no competing line-the Mississippi Gen.
trail and this road being controlled BY the
same parties; and tais route via Mem
ubis. Paducah and Vincennes will be the
shortest route for all through travel. Fhe
Central road will have an outlet at Nash
vile and Louisville; consequently there
can be no antagonism between routes
By this arrangement and the completion
of the Memphis ard Little Rock road,
which will be finished in time for next
falls trade, ss am assured by its OH
cials. think Memphis then will occupy
the position to which she is properly
entitled. Il
/ cannot bat believe that this is one of
the most important matters the city mas
ever had presented to her, and ] hope
she will not let the golden opportunity
pass by. :,
In making the sale / would throw all
proper guards around it, to which the
purchasers will not object, think,
As to the donation Of the 1890, 600 city
bonds, upon the completion of the road,
! would oppose.
Something has been said about Presi-
dent Mitchell, Of the River road, having
not been consulted in regard to this con-
solidatisE, was surprised at this, for 1
had understood be was in favor Of the
project. ! will guarantee be viii throw
no obstacle in the way of the enterprise
when he Is satisfied the parties have the
means to put it through In & short time,
but will lend his influence thereto,
In conclusion wosld recommend to
the Committee of Aldermen to whom the
matter was referred, to give it their calm
and careful consideration, for / feel con-
Gdent that if they consult the wishes Of
their constituents, and those whose all
is identified with Memphis and her vel
fare, their report will be in favor of the
sale and consolidation referred to. ]
have taken considerable pains to inquire
into the sentiments Of the psople, the tax
payers, and have not been able to find
the first one opposed to the scheme pro-
yided the proper restrictions are thrown
around it. Very respectfully;
VIZ, B. GREESLAw