Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1868-12-01

A new rsilrosd scheme Of gigantic pro-
portions has been recently brought TO ths
notice of the people Of Memphis by the
publication o. . lengthy memorial" to
the Board Of Aldermen, in Sundays issue
OF the APPEAL al the AVdLdnche, and
which awaits the signatures of our citi-
zsns at certain points designated by the
msmorislis.s, who, we may sid, are
smong The leading prOperty-Owners OF
the city.
The proposition, as We understand IL,
involves the interest o. the city in the
Mississippi and TeDnesses Railroad
which the Mississippi Central desires to
possess-and the sid Of the city in the
construction OF the Mississippi River Rail-
road to Trenton, where it will con-
meet with the read 10 Psducah, COM
plotting for The Mississippi Central Rail-
road 3 through route such as she cannot
otherwise have, save by the construction
Of the gap now existing between Jack
son, ia this State, aud Union City.
The interest Of the city in the Missile
sippi and Tennessee Railroad amounts
TO $500 0 which the memorislists ask
shall be presented to the Central rosd as
q bonus 70 induce that ambitious corpora
ton to take Us in their passage to the
Ohio river, and As an Incentive to con-
struct forthwith this River road, upon the
completion Of which the city is to give
the additional sum Of $4,000.
While it is very desirable that the
Mississippi and Tennessee Railroad should
be made mere available to its stOck-hoId-
ers, and brought into use TO subserve the
through travel and traffic North and
South OF Us, We also realize the impor-
lance Of the people, the whole body of
the taxpayers Of the city, having some
thing 10 say before sums Of such magni-
tude shall be presented as free gifts for
any purpose, or the faith Of the city is
pledged to subsidize any undertaking.
We are In favor OF railroads, have
always urged them upon the attention Of
the public, and DO Row, as the great
medium for the Introduction OF popula-
tiOn 20 our section, and We recognize all
the benefits 10 be derived from the
union Of railroads row proposed, bu.
acting ia the public interests, we
urge caution and 8 full con-
sultation With and Difference to the
opinions Of all those concerned before
any steps are taken by the city govern
msnt TO confirm to the Mississippi Cen
trsi the property Of the city in the Ten
Rss-ee railroad. The pros and cons OF
the matter must be freely and fully die
cussed, and nothing omitted at ali ealcu-
lated to throw light upon the whole trans
Ection. This course viii be best for all
coucerned-for the officers and agents of
the Central road and the Tennesses road,
and for the people who are nearly or re-
motely concerned il it.
We sre now entering upon an era
OF rsiirosding-ths second 10 the history
Of Aemphis-aud Il will not do
for u TO tsEe any false steps or to leopard
lie the spirit and interest of the people
in railroads by anything like "jobbeTy,"
or anything bat savors Of other thar
siraightfor ard dealing, looking to the
general welfare, rather than the aggran-
dizsment Of individuals. We do not say
this as suggesting tbe appearance Of that !
sort OF thiug in this proposed gift Of the
city's stock, because the gentlemen me- :
morialists have dealt oaudidIy with the !
public ia what they ask at the hands Ct {
the Board, but as looking to the most I'M c
snd ffeest discussion Of it before
there shall be a decision that cannot be
from except by the aid Of the
aud through a litigation that
may swallow what represents now Of I
positive value but which ia carried 4
On the eity's ledger as S25O, goo. We ad g
wise all concerned to look before they =