Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-07-07

worth Oh taxaDle properly, winch 10 HVt
(5) cents less than last year.
Alderman Renner stated that the com
mittee had received from the County
Clerk the corrected valuation Of the tax.
able property Of the city for the forty
second corporate year, and that il
amounted to $29, 900, 900. The reduc'
ton in taxation had been made after
close scrutiny, aud they hoped by putting
it down to the lowest figure possible the
citizens would see that the Board were
doing all that they could to relieve them
Of their burthsns, and would come up and
promptly pay their taxes. The tax books
were being rapidly made up, and would
be ready in very few days.
The ordinance passed unanimously
The rules were then suspended, and il
passed on its second and final reading.
Alderman Dyer presented communist.
cation from the Chamber of Commerce,
setting forth the fact that in September,
1867, convention was held in st. Louis
for the purpose of the improvement of the
Mississippi and other Western rivers
that Memphis was represented, and that
among other things it was agreed to send
a committee to Washington to bring the
subject before Congress. A committee
went to Washington, and at great ex-
pense secured an appropriation of 81
600, 900 for building snagboats, ETC., etc.
St. Louis became responsible for this
sum, and she now calls upon the various
river towns to pay their quota. Mem
phis, through the Chamber Of Commerce,
IS called upon for $500, which is Its share
of the expenses. The corporate author
tiles of the other cities have paid their
assessments, and the Chamber of Com
nerce respectfully requests Memphis to
do likewise. The document was signed
by p. M. Mahan, w. r. Moore, George
Mellersh and W. Il. Cherry. Referred to
the Finance Committee.
Alderman Dyer presented a petition
from J. w. Jefferson setting forth that he
held thirteen city bonds as collateral for
1926, 900 loaned to the city on the day pre-
vious to the recent decision of the Su-
preme Court that the said bonds could
no longer be held as legal security, and
praying that the Controller be author
lied to take them up and give him in lieu
thereof three notes Of the city for $4,000
each.
Referred to the Finance Committee,
Controller and City Attorney, with power
to act.
Alderman Dyer presented petition
from citizens of the Third Ward in re-
gard to certain houses of ill-fame on JEFF
ferson street kept by Annie Gallagher,
Lizzie Laurence and others, and praying
that they be declared nuisance and or
dered sbated, and offered resolution to
that effect which was adopted unani-
mously.
A petition from George W. Beers to be
allowed to erect iron tanks at certain
points within the city limits for the
storage of coal oil, was referred to the
Fire Committee,
A petition was offered by Alderman
from Martin Gallagher, poor
man who had been laborer for the city
for several years, and who was crushed
by the caving in of bank; his family
are in distressed circum stances, and be
prayed that his wages might be continued
to him while be is disabled. Granted,
Alderman Vincent offered resolution
ordering the building of cstern of 1000
to 1909 barrels on the corner of Fifth and
Lowery streets, and that the Mayor be
to advertise for bids for the
same. Referred to the Improvement
Committee.
Alderman Ogden offered resolution
requiring the property owners to grade
and lay down sidewalks Oh South street
from Main to DeSoto, and DeSoto street
from fernando to Vance. Referred to
the Improvement Committee,
Alderman heuner introduced resolu-
ton appointing special committee of
five to carefully prepare and report to
the Board budget OF the entire expenses
of the City Government for the forty
second corporate year, fixing the amounts
necessary for each branch and depart
ment of the Municipal Government, tax
ing for their guide the tax list aud the
expenses of former years, with rigid
determination to retrench wherever it is
possible. The budget, if found to be
correct and satisfactory by the Board,
shall be adopted, and shall be considered
he limit or maximum of the expenses,
md each department to be confined to
he amount assigned, which sum shall in
10 case be transcribed, except by two
birds vote of the Board. The Controller
hall in all cases inform the Board when
he maximum has heen reached in any
department., and shall take no notice of
esolutions or orders which are not made
~ the requisite majority after the Beard
las been duly notified.
Adopted unanimously; and Aldermen
aenner, Cicalls, Dyer, Marshall aud Vol.
,ott appointed on the committee,
Alderman Welcott offered the follow
ng:
Resolued, That the Finance Commit
ee, With the aoting.Msyor, be authorized
o use the stock of the city in the Little
Rock railroad as collaterals TO raise funds
necessary to secure past due indebted
leGs and to borrow money to defrsy the
monthly current expenses.
Alderman Wolcott stated that there
vas $50, 900 of that sort of Indebtedness
tariDg them in the face and nothing to
meet it with, The fremen and street
oree had not been paid OF for June, and
his railroad stock was the only available
means.
Adopted, with the amendment that the
ity may redeem the eollaterals at plea
ure.
Alderman Renner offered the follow
ng:
Resslred, That the City Engineer be
'rdered to open o book in which he shall
inter the date, nature and cost Of every
that the Board may order,
he ward that has the benefit of it, etc.
t is also made the duty of the City En-
.ineer to show in his monthly report
What work has bean dols by order of the