Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-10-14
Our City Government and Retrench.
memt.

ment.
EpIToRs LEDGER: We all talk Of the
expenses Of our city government. Fol-
the number of its Inhabitants and the
amount of it's assessed wealth, it is per
haps the most costly municipal govern
ment in the Union. Radicalism inau'
gurated many evils, but our white popu-
ation have been much to blame in foster
ing upon themselves onerous taxes.
RetrenchmeDt in expenditures is now
in every mouth, because every message
from our Mayor tells us we are getting
no better very fast No city in the
Union has subscribed 80 literally, to rail-
roads as Memphis has, 10 proportion to
population and wealth. But, it seems
that while we can build them, we have
to call upon rival cities to manage them.
Our EN- barrassments compel US to sell
our stock in one and then another; and
Just when Memphis should make gigantic
efforts to aid the construction OF other
roads most important to her pros
perity, we find her credit 40 low
that il wsuld be madness for her TO
issue another bond. Is there remedy
for this? There is. Let us do as Nash
Vile has done. But few days ago
committee of the Aldermen and Common
Council, after full consideration, recon-
uended such reduction in the salaries
of officials as to save to the city the hand
some sum of $50, 1000 in that item alone.
Let MS follow that example, and begin
with the higher officers, for we cannot ask
a reduction of others pay without such
an example. The Mayor has salary, l
believe, of $4,000 per annum. That
should be $500; for no officer in the city
is ct as little expense in ell that consti-
tutes the courtesies of life than he is.
The City Attorney has $4,000 instead Of
$4,000. The Register $4,000 instead Of
S24OO. The Tax-Collector--well, no one
knows what he does get Per snnum. The
Metropolitan Police, fastened upon us
by designing knsves, has cost us
more per man than the police force
of any other city in the Union. l
venture to say that the saving
which could be effected in salaries paid
to our city officials and our police during
the present year, would have enabled rs
to keep the railroad stock just sold. 1t
seems to be thought that when man
takes prominent Office, heFapst bepaid
a higb salary. | have not word TO say
against the competency Of any city Off
cisl, and they are not TO blame for the
high salaries affixed to their Offices, for
they had no voice in the matter. Bot,
in jpslice to the taxpayers and to the
credit OF ths city, they should be reduced.
We pay the City Engineer $4,000 per an
mum and the Register $50bG knowing
the latter as we'll as do, would not ex-
change him for any man in town. but S2400
il enough for his services. The Epgi-
neer ALA nna of the most resnonsihle
posts. and should have $500 per month;
but a ompetent assistant oan be had for
500 per month. Money does not grow
on trees. If the salaries are cnt down
there will be plenty of applicants for
them. The city eau save 500 900 an
nually 10 salaries aud police, and if it be
done, OR credit goes up at once.
Now, let me say soFd &C 70 opr next
Mayor. We need Q bgsiness mani one
Identified with the Interests aud the pros
perity of Memphis; one who has some
thing TO lose if the city goes down. and
one who will command the confidence of
the business men Of the city. That man
is Joseph Lenow. have known him for
more than third Of century; and if
there is man on this bluff Who can
bring Memphis out Of her troablss, it is
Lenow. JUMUs