Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1869-12-08
CITY COUNCIL.
Regular Monthly Meeting of the Board Of
Aldermen.
Message from the Experimentation
from Hon. j. W. Leftwich.
The Board Urged to Sell the Little Rock
Stock to Col. EppersOn---The Stock to
be Sold TO the Highest Bidder.
The City Tax Books---5 per Cent. Penalty
Bemitfed--COI. Randolph Elected
City Attorney.
Monthly Reports OF characterization
of Business.

Monthly Reports OF Oficers---TransactiOu
of Business.
The Board of Mayor and Aldermen
convened at the City Hall yesterday
evening, for the regular monthly transac-
ton of business.
The Board was called to order by Presi-
dent Swayne, who o the chair. The
roll being called and a quorum an
nounced, the Secretary proceeded TO read
the minutes of the previous regular and
called meetings, which were found correct
and approved.
The Secretary then read the following
MESSAGE FROM HI
MAYORS OFFICE, CITY HALL,
MEMPHIS, Dec. Z. 1859.
Hon. Board Of Aldermen:
Gentlemen: 1 herewith transmit to you
a communication from his hOnOr Mayor
Leftwich, in relation to the sale of the
city's stock in the Memphis and Little
Rock Railroad. The city's interest in
that road has, as you are aware, recently
become somewhat complicated, and the
situation Is at present by no means salts
factory to the friends of the enterprise.
Your consideration Of the accompanying
communication, as well as thegeneral con-
dition of affairs connected with the Little
Rock Road, is respectfully invited. l
would also call your attention TO the &C
companying communication of the City
Tax Collector in relation TO the abatement
Of the penalty and recommend that his
suggestion be adopted.
Respectfully,
VIM. BLACK, Mayor pro tenn.
MAYOR LEFTwICH's COMMUNICATION.
LYNCHBURG, VA, Dec. ), 1869.
Hon. WBl. Black, Mayor pro tenn, Mem
phtS, Tenn.
SIR: Before leaving Memphis several
Aldermen and myself were allowed TO
read and consider a very important COM
mUnicaiion from Col. EppersOn, the
Paso Railroad, to Mr.. Brinkley,
IN which, though cOnceding that
Inducements are held forth TO induce
him to select another point of departure
rom the Mississippi river for the FL PasO
Railroad. He frankly cOnfesses his pref
erence for Memphis, and as al evidence Of
MS desire TO secure lasting harmony be-
tween the city Of Memphis and the FL
Paso road, authorizes Mr.. Brinkley to
carry our his Mr.. EppersOn's) original
proposition to purchase the city's stock in
the Little Rock Railroad.
Since that time / have met and con-
versed with many gentlemen of intelli-
gence and foresight, who are largely in
terested in the railroads that connect
Memphis with the Atlantic ocean at Nor
folk, and who express the fear that we
underrate the influences that are at work
to induce Col. EppersOn TO select for tho
El PasO road, a point of departure south
of Memphis; hence, prompted by a mu-
tual and recognized interest, they urge
that Memphis should make any reasona-
Die concession. or even sacrifice, TO secure
the harmony now sought for by Col. Ep-
person.
Gen. Malone, the President of three
HaHNwAaIa rnrn--s.E.a Oh a. -. l. ]
tween Memphis and Norfolk, ind who,
above all others, has impressed me as pos
sesslng a most comprehensive railroad
mind, and a clear comprehension of the
immense advantages derivable J5rom ex-
teusive railroad combinations, sa vs., with
ms convincing, force, idemphis
can well afford to give a Way its
stock in the Little Rock Rail
road If thereby either an ear ly com
pletlOn Of the road Is secured or n indu-
ence Is eSerted in behalf of the I'll Paso
road, with Memphis as its starting point
from the Mississippi.
The stock was taken by the city with
the sole purpose of securing a dire CT rail-
road communication with Little Roc K. I
and without any hope that it would ever
prove otherwise valuable; but bV the sale /
at this time we accomplish our original
purpose in the completion OF the road. ]
which VIII thus be enabled to provide for
LA5 pdA Ahtht OF the rblU.bUU III n en-
dOrsed by the city. and besides getting
the 100000 in money, we not only con-
tribute TO the building ola railroad to the
Eaclhc ocean, but insure the selection Of
Memphis as its initial point.
The cash realized would enable US to
pay two large debts now due, and thus
save the city the large collaterals with
which they are secured. and provide
means also for the payment of the fire.
men, the street force and other CITY en-
ployees, and many small but meritOrious
and pressing claims-all of which at this 4
important crisis would enhance the city's 4
more than double that amount 4
at any other time. {
The fact that Col. Epperson's purchase
one million Of stock from President I
Brlnkley, gives him a controlling interest
IN the management of this road without
the stock owned by the city commends the
proposition Tor its Hberality to every citi-
zen and friend Of Memphis, for ali con-
cede that is value depended on its con
trolling influence, while it should. and
doubt viii, dissipate the idea. ouite
prevalent al the time, that this stock was
issued and sold with a view TO depreciate
owned by b city. These questions
Of such magnitude, and the argu-
ments IN their favOr so unanswerable. f..
] indulge IN the hope thai the Board
of Aldermen, without a dissenting voice.
viii favor the immediate sale, lest other
complications should arise to positively
and permanently prevent it.
VIII you present his communication
TO the next meeting Of the Board Of Al
dermen, and if consistent with your own
views, ask that its recommendations be
adopted at the next meeting?
While at Washington l will be near
enough 10 Col. Epperson to see him in
person at any time that You or the Board
Of Aldermen may deem il desirable. Z
NnurE Waru raznauf mill 90
JNO. w. LEFTWICH.
THE A COLLECTORS COMMUNICATION.
MEMPHIS, December 6. 1859.
Hon. I'm. Black, Mayor pro tenn:
Deer SIR: The tax books for the pres-
corporate year have not been
finished and placed in my hands. Owing
10 thIs delay, and the difficulty Of collect
the tax from the assessment books. a
Number OF "tax PAYERS " have been
unable 10 pay. ] would therefore RECON-
mend that the penalty Of five per cent.
which accrued on the first Of this month.
be abated and the penalty which will ac-
on the first Of January next. be en-
forced. Respectfully,
JOHN H. BOWEN. C. &c.
Without objection, the message and ac-
cOmpanying documents were received
and filed. The Secretary then proceeded
to read the following
REPORT OF OFFICERS FOR NO
vENrBER.
Robert GOOde. Wharfmaster. reports
collections, S4l42 %.
Peter Connolly, North Marketmaster,
collections, S4l5.
Chas. BOTneT, South Marketma ster. re
ports collections, $40.
J.. +. Helm, Street Commissioner. re-
ports 1907 expended.
2 A. ii. BOland, Lumber INSPECTOR. re-
ports 69,5l6 feet Of Timber inspected, and
80 s. collected for same.
j. i. Chandler, Tax Collector on Privi-
reports collections, S2I. 245 so.
The City Engineer reported tho prelim-
mary survey for the opening of fernando
street, and strengthening the Bayou, en-
closing maps Of the same.
DIR. G.. B. Thornton, physician in charge,
as follows:
Of patients remaining ut last report y
Of patients admitted during mOnth.- 100
Of patients treated during month..-.T72
OF patients discharged during month. IS
No. OF patients died during month - 10
Of patients remaining Nov. 30th..--.- 81
The marine account mounts to s535.
r. d. Baugh, City Comptroller, repo rts
rs follows;
RECEIPTS.
Taxes, by Bowen, s0th cor
pOrate year-----s g 48
raXes.by Bowen, 4lst carpo-
rate elr---------... 1873 -
faxes. by Bowen, sd corpo-
rate ear-~...- ss,sz 10
PenaltleS. 81 20
EXPENSE accOuuf--- 81 Ug-E0 ~ a
by GOOUe amp "A