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

General West and Colonel Idfe-Lef
Us Reason Tdgefher.-0wing 10 the
feeling that now exists in the public
mind rs regards the proposition Of Gen.
West and Col. Sam. Tate, caused US 10
make inquiry as TO the real proposition
made by these gentlemen TO the City
Council, and the objects aud intentions
to be carried out should the city agree to
dispose of the Mississippi and Tennessee
railroad bonds as proposed. We think
great injustice has been done these gen.
tlemen in supposing that they would for
one moment entertain a proposition to
lay scheme whereby to injure the inte-
rests Of Memphis. Col. West is gentle.
man who is deservedly popular in his
native State, Mississippi, 10 which he has
been State Senator for ten years, and
has held almost every position Of
honor and trust within the gift Of his
people. As for Col. Sam. Tate, he has
been identified with the interests Of Mem
phis for twenty-five years, and has always
endeavored to promote the welfare OF the
city. No movement for years has been
attempted for enhancing the wealth and
greatness Of Memphis, that has not in
some way, either by counsel, labor, or
money, received the support Of Col
Tate. Is there man in this community
who is so lost to shame and self-respect,
that would further blacken his own name
by slandering the honest integrity Of
such a gentleman. We emphaticslly
deny that he ever intended to do the
people of Memphis wrong, but upon
the contrary, he is to-day the great
friend OF. this people in building
up and enhancing the value OF the city.
We understand the proposition to pur-
chase the city stock in the Mississippi
and Tennessee road was the only one
made to the Honorable Board of Mayor
and Aldermen. Gen. West and Col.
Tate both said, on the occasion, that
they would have nothing whatever to do
with the matter if they could not procure
the full and hearty CO. operation of Col.
White, President of the Mississippi and
Tennessee railroad; Mr.. Flournoy, ofthe
Paducah road; Mr.. Mitchell, of the Mis-
sissippi river road, and the people Of
Memphis. IL the city would sell their
stock in the Mississippi and Tennessee
railroad, as proposed by these gentlemen,
it would enable them to bring in other
parties with the capital to aid in the
completion of the link of road be-
tween Memphis and Troy. They have
already obtained the cooperation of Mr..
White and Mr.. Flournoy. Mr.. Mitchell
was absent at the time, but they have
assurance of his hearty cooperation in
their project. 1t was so manifestly the
interest of the two ends to complete the
middle and last link that the people
need have no fears Of its being done,
and then a great consolidated through
line from the Northwest to Memphis, and
thence to New Orleans, would be finished.
Paducah has already, through her most
prominent citizens, pledged herself to
give 100000 to the enterprise
in bonds, to be delivered on the |
completion of the road, and Memphis
might be called upon and should
give an equal amount in the COM
pletion of Mr.. Mitchells part
of the road. That was all that was said
on the bond question, and no one was
asked to subscribe one dollar. The pro-
position to control the roads North and
South was for the purpose of placing
them in condition to open inducements
to capitalists to come in and aid us to
build the wanting link in great through
line to the North and the West, as well
as the Northeast. Prominent citizens of
Paducah were invited TO combine
in the movement, and would do
so at the proper time. Prominent
men here were invited to come in
on an equal basis. Prominent
men of the Mississippi Central were in
vited in with their capital, which was
wise, as by interesting them in this line
it would neutralize any conflicting
interest there might be bstween these
two great north and south lines, and
have Memphis at least on one of the
great through routes, with an equal
chance for business, and leave the two
lines under control of the same parties,
whose interest 10 involved in the success
Of both.
LEW. WExLER removed to 2l3 Main 80
1