Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-02-06
COUNTY MATTERS.
Protest Against Chsnging the
boundary Lines Between
shelby and Upton
Counties.

The following petition was read In tho
citizens meeting yesterday afternoon,
aud Is now circulating for signatures:
To the Tennessee Legislatures
We, the undersigned citizens Of Shell
BY county, would respectfully represent,
that we have read, with surprise, that
bill was on its passage before the Legis-
lature OF the State, 70 alter the dividing
line between Shelby AID Upton coun.
ties. We presume the object OF that bill
is to surrender portion Of the county
Of Shelby TO Upton. As this is a mat
ter which deeply concerns the county OF
Shelby, we beg leave respectfully, but
earnestly, to protest against the passage
Of that bill as q measure OF great in
Justice to Shelby county.
1t will be remembered by many OF
you, especially the older members who
have for many years resided in the State,
that in 1885, 1886 and 1887, in many
parts Of the State, there was mania for
cutting up the larger counties and
making sew counties, with their court
houses, grog- shops, town-speculating
scheme. Against this policy Shelby
county earnestly and respectfully pro-
tested, and asked, with uplified hands,
that they should not be molested, or
county lines disturbed. All men of all
parties, from that day TO this, have con-
Cured, with scarcely dissenting voice,
in that line Of policy.
In 1885, Upton county-one OF the
largest and best counties in the State
quite as large as Shelby-was seized with
the mania for making new counties, aud
her representatives, to make a new
county, gave up all that part OF the
county north Of Hatchie river 10 make up
Lauderdale county, giving rs pretext
for her action that il was inconvenient to
cross the bottoms OF that river.
The adjacent counties, Haywood and
Hardeman, had causewayed tho same
stream, and Madison and other counties
had causewayed streams of equal magni-
tude, and had not found II necessary to
break up their counties and destroy their
influence.
The then representative Of Upton was
warned against the suicidal policy he
was pursuing.
He was told by that act be would ruin
his county, that she would probably lose
her representative, and hereafter would
dangle on the skirts of other counties as
a foater. At the same time he was no.
tilted that if he did persist in destroying
his county, that Shelby county would not
consent to ipjure herself by giving up
one square inch Of territory.
Tipton county, against these warnings
and representations, adhered to her
suicidal scheme, gave up half Of the
county, and the consequences are before
| you.
From that day to this they have, ct AL
most every session of the Legislature,
in some form and under some pretext,
been endeavoring to cut up Shelby
county, thereby attempting to throw their
misfortunes, which they voluntarily
sought, upon another, who warned them
and counselOd them against their course.
Thus far, with every legislative body, we
have found it necessary to make this pro-
test ADD statement to defeat their scheme.
We indulge hope that q sense OF
Justice will cause your honorable
body to do likewise. In addition
to this statement, we beg leave to say
THAT the strip of four miles, which they
have for thirty-two years been attempting
10 take from us, is about the best, riches,
and most productive part of the country
that, if we we're compelled to give ny
this strip of four miles, Immediately
south of the same there are two streams,
Loosahatche and Big Creek, which
require safe river bridges, all of which
would fall upon the citizens of Shelby
county, while they would lose the benefi
of their taxes.
In addition, we beg leave to say tha
the citizens of Shelby, for the purpose o.
aiding in the construction of O railroad
through the heart and center of the
county, some years ago, by unani'
nous vote, voted county subscription
of 100000 to build the Memphis ant
Ohio railroad.
This road has been built, and for ter
years they have had the use and benefi
of it.
For seven years no interest has been
maid. The debt is now about $40, 900
For this year taxes have been leyied t.
nav part of the interest, and very soor
will have to be levied to pay the princi
pal.
This effort to get themselves attached
to Upton is dishonest trick to be re-
lieved from paying their share of pub
| lie burden and for public Improvement
of which they have heretofore and viii
hereafter receive their full share.
Respectfully submitted,
j. T. SwAYNE, Chairman.
Resolced, That our Representatives IL
the Legislature are hereby notified that
whatever differences there may b.
amongst us on other questions, on this
we are unit, except few tricksters who
are unworthiy attempting to get rid o.
their due share of public burden; ant
that they are hereby requested to lay oul
memorial before the Legislature, and tC
vote against and oppose all propositions
at any time or under any circumstances
TO take from us one acre of our territory
Our hats and caps are of the latest
STYLES and ofthe best qualities Miller
a. Leidy, $50 Main street, opposite the
square. Isl
CITIZENS MEETING.-Judge Swaynt