Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-10-14
THE CoUNTY COURT.

THE COUNTY COURT.
We publish the following communiea-
tious in our columns to day for the infor-
nation of our Representatives In the
LEGISLATURE and as an indication OF popu'
lar sentiment in the county OF Shelby.
While we do not exactly agree With the
two distinguished gentlemen whose
names are appended to the communica'
lions, in reply to Col King, Of Nashville,
still we are willing to accept any system
of court in order to get rid OF the
nresept Board Of County Commas
sioners. The people of this county
most certainly demand change
of some sort from the present
ruinous Board, whose hungry maws
have taken in almost the entire substance
of our county. Our only objection to q
ousrterly court-tbe old aystem-is that
the number of magistrates are too great
for prac,ical utility. In case the old
svstem should be restored the Board
would consist of City Justices, whose
opiuions could scarcely be gotten at IN q
satisfactory manner. Halt that number
would do the business of the county In
much less time than it would require the
whole M mber to perform Ike amount.
Then. if there could be modification OF
the old system aud assimilation to the
present new court, such, in our view,
would meet the requirements of our peo-
pIe. We want proper Judge of law to
preside over this court and to decide all
legal questions that may arise, aud to
transact intelligently the probate and
other business incidental to the County
Court in an efficient manner. We think
that such a judge, paid liberal
salary, would be the saving Of money to
the county. Then, why not have the old
eystem, with each of the districts
in the county represented by the
senior magistrates, who, when Assem-
bled in quarterly court, would make the
samkc: &c. greater thar .gen.s-sse !.
Such court would be competent to as
SEES county taxes, make county appro-
pristions, and do all the general duties
heretofore imposed upon that court,
while the county judge would bold his
probate court in the city once q month
for the transaction of business that
would properly come before court OF
like description in other States
presiding over the deliberations OF
the quarterly court st stated times. There
ia little difference between this system
and that of the old one recommended by
Judges Smith and Wright. The differ
snce. we think, consists in an improve
ment on the original County Court.
The Board Of County Commissioners
for Shelby county was organized for the
single purpose Of gratifying the desires
Of Barbour Lewis and his svaricious
associates for public plunder. Each OF
tbeee interlopers must be provided With
an Office, belonging as they do to the
royal family of carpet-bsggers. But
their official days: have been numbered,
and the law will soon require Of this
negroroysI-o fice-loving fraternity to re-
turn to their homes north Of the line and
seek some other means of livelihood 10
the future.
The following is the correspondence
referred to:
NASHVILLE. October II. 1859.
EDIroRs LEDGER: Our Senator and
= Representatives stand agreed on the ques-
tion of abolishing the Board Of County
Commissioners (familiarly known as Bar
bour Lewis Court and bill to that
effect will be introduced to day. But our
representation is divided on the ques-
ton whether it is the will Of the people
of Shelby county 10 return to the old
County Court system, or to have a new
Board Of Commissioners, with new Off.
GERS, as q substitute. for the present
Board. A bill providing for new
Board, very similar to the one now in ex
istenee, has been prepared ia Memphis
aud forwarded here. But our Senator
and Representatives have agreed not "a
introduce il for the present. bnt TO wait
awhile until they can ascertain 81
far as practicable the wishes Of the\peo-
ple of Shelby county.
Please call the attention OF the people
Of Shelby county to this matter 10 3 wsy
YOU think best calculated to ascertain
their will on the subject
Very respectfully, Il CLAY KISG
BY solicitation we are permitted "a
publish the letter Of Judge Smith to ths
Hon. Sam. Jones, Representative from
Shelby, for the benefit Of our relders;
MKNPHIs. October Il. 1863.
Hon. sam. Jones, Nashville. Tenn:
My DEAR SIR-By al means restore
the old County Court when you abolish
the Board Of County Commissioners
The old system was the best ever devised.
The justices represented every part oil
the county, and we're the comfy leeisla
iure, elected by the people As WHOLE
the Justices Of the Pesce have been hs