Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-07-29
n, r,col,on Pavement Matter.

The Board oil Aldermen nave com'
to their conclusion that they have thu
power and the law for enforcing 40 IN
just and oppressive tax on a part Of thu
citizens Of the city, and that they will do
Il. We are not disposed to question the
Integrity Of the Board in this matter
nor TO treat any member with disrespect
We have no doubt these gentlemen have
acted in accordance with their views o.
duty.
But the fact, nevertheless, remaini
that they have taxed part Of the citizens
to pay the debt Of all; that the part Sc
lected is taxed, some Eve, some ten, some
twenty, some fifty, and some n hundred
per cent. on fair valuation of their
property, and that they are attempting
to enforce law, which amounts, in some
instances, to complete con6scation, and
| in all goes TO an extent unrivaled in this
country, and not surpassed by the most
exacting Of despoiisms. Whether the law
| is on the side of the Board, as is con-
tended for by the City Attorney, is new
likely to be inquired into by the Courts,
and those of our citizens who intend re-
sistiug should at once combine in order
to employ counsel at joint expense. We
suggest an early meeting for that pur-
pose.
The present Board Of Aldermen de-
serve great credit for their zeal for the
interests of the city. Especially the
Alderman for the Ninth Ward should be
praised for his energy in controlling the
Board and having things his own way.
He will never have them any other-that
is certain. If the city owes money, its
credit must be sustained of course, no
matter how great injustice may be done
to any citizens of the city. The credit OF
despotisms is usually good, and we have
no doubt the Ninth Ward Alderman will
raise the city's credit as to due ebhga-
tons, so long as its resources hold cut.
As he is the Board, and the credit of the
city demands it, and the law per-
mits, he will do injustice to some,
tax some unexpectedly, wrong an in
dividual here and there, and violate
a principle of equity, on which all taxa
ton should proceed, at the expense of
destructive taxation TO some few-and
grind the face of the poor, because the
debts of the city must be paid, if it takes
the home OF the widow and orphan.
Look, he said, at other cities, where they
are doing the same tbing-at ST. Louis
and Chicago, where, with five times the
population, and ten times the value OF
property, and where the value of prop
erty is so uniform that it makes little
difference whether the tax is by the front
foot or otherwise, and where payment by
that plan amounts only to two or three
per cent of the value Of their property,
which men will bear as though inequita-
BILE, yet endurable.
The citizens of Memphis have not
asked their masters, the Board of AL
dermen, to repudiate debt. But to
provide fair and equitable mode of
paying the cost of public improvement,
which they should have done at first.
They have not asked an injury to the
city's credit, but justice to all, which
will induce population and capital,
prove the best basis of credit and pros
perity. And the sum of the matter, and
the answer of the Board is that they have
the legal power, and that they will en-
force previous legislation, without refer
ence to consequences, and without SO
much as inquiring whether there is any
way by which justice may be done to all
and insufferable injustice to none. So it
is by the strong hand that the hash OF
the anti-Nicolsonites is settled efectual-
ly.r Property holders should understand
that this Board, like Mullins on the
salary question, regards it as a conscien-
tons duty to keep all the law will give
then, and enforce such iDiquitous tax
alton as was never even heard of before,
without inquiring whether there is a
practicable way to avoid it. But we are
content. The courts will settle the ques-
ton as to the payment And the people
will soon have the opportunity to pass
upon tyrannous exercise of power,
whether it proceed from gentlemen who
inland we'll or i'll