Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-11-02
MIsAPPROPRYATION OF THE
PEOPLE'S MONEY.

MISREPRESENTATION OF THE
PEOPLE'S MONEY.
When looking over the report OF the
proceedings Of the Shelby county Board
of Commissioned during their last SIT
ting. the cry almost involuntarily starts
from our lips, stop, thief stop, thieill
There never was, perhaps, such high
handed robbery perpetrated upon the
neople of any section as was COM
mitted. in o long list of appropriations
NV this Board during last week. We
mention the transactions of that week
only. to show to the public how they
have been imposed upon BY this
infamous Radical thing. A part OF the
appropriations made, as referred to. were
pnblshed in yesterdays LEDGER, for the
ressou that the official organ paid to DO
the dirty work was tardy In making
L,ovn information that Madam Rumor
was busy with on the street. The list OF
apuropriations reveals the fact that
almost every fsvorite of the Board was
thrown a crust or crumb to satisfy their
villainous appetites. The first that
masses before our minds eye is John
League, the smiling and keen-sigbted
Clerk Of the County Court. BE, it seems
"a. some time since indicted by the
grand Jury for trading 10 county war
r.p,.. contrary to law, and as it was
necessary to hare counsel to get rid of SO
serious a charge, the County Commis-
sioners were bis friends, even kind enough
90 advance him $500 of the peoples
money to pay lawyers fees. Very obl'g'ng'
nm the part of Barbour Lewis and his as
socis,es, who had fellow feeling Tor
their clerk, expecting the~solyes TO be
in like straight soon. Now, we don't
think that John League and the County
Clerk are The same individuals
at all That is, the County CLERK
can't be guilty Of malfeasance in
Office, when John League. in his per-
sonsl capacity may be. Then pEoml-
neutIy on the list for appropriations is
the name of Barbour Lewis, whose SER
vices ore highly appreciated by himself
and presumes when he shall stooP to per-
farm The duties of Judge of the County
Roard. that he should be most literally
rewarded. The law creating this ohice
was careful ia Gxing competent salary
for the Judge who should preside, which
was $3.50 per month; quite ample, indeed,
far the services to be rendered. Bat this
VS. not sufficient to enrich this old vaga-
b,ad and thief according 10 the
rte Of modern progression. be
must needs, therefore, to have his asso-
ciste Commissioners appropriate $1,000
year to bis salary of $4,000 as Judge OF
the Commission, to do the york OF the
Financial Agent. And then, besides this,
he (,he Honorable BARBOUR must have
an additional amount of $500 sppro-
priation for a private Office in which to
practice law and receive bis colored
friends. Besides these amounts there
are many others that could be brought
ont which would show that this man
has had his black hands into the
county treasury up to the shoulderblades.
II Barbour Lewis is paid salary to
nerform the duties Of bis Office, Why
make extra appropriations to pay him
for doing what ia clearly within the scope
Of his duiies7 We all know that $4,000
il liberal compensation for the Judge
OF the Board of County Commissioners,
whose labors are not st all onerous. But
ANYTHING 20 get possession OF the public
money. Lewis and his set came here Ia
enrich themselves off of this public, and
they don't intend to leave until they &C.
complish their purpose.
We have always been for peace, law
b and order, but if the law fails to
uroteet Us, then we should appeal Il
the right Of self-preservation. The com
muuity have ever thought it expedient &c
hang BY the neck the horse thief anc
other violstors of the law, who have no
the fear of such before their eyes, snC
why not treat in like manner o man who
would uoioriously screen himself undel
an official robe to rob the public2 j
SHOULD be done ss a warning to th'
othsrs. who would delight to travel th'
ssne paths Of robbery. These acts o
fagrasf msliesssnce in Office should b
ant stop 70, aud now as well sc here
after.
The County Boar, further aHhcipa
ting tba; the Legislature would aotl'sl
the Court st once. met end psce largl
appropriations, fnr salaries ahead
amounting 10 S5ls3 30. This Ma q
tended 10 cover The mouths Of Novenb,
aud December. before which time to-
Boera OF County Commissioners woDiS
have cessed 70 exist by Legislative enact
ment We are not permitted 10 20 int
y fali dealt ~ al the enormiiies prac
siced upc' ,bis coapis by the present IN
fsmous B ard Of Commissioner, hu