Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-12-09
raE NEW CITY CHA aTEs.

A copy of the new charter for the city
Of Memphis reached here on yesterday
The bill passed on the first day of this
month, and is signed by both Speakers
of the Legislature, and certified to by
the Secretary of State. 1t will 60 into
effect the frs. Thursday in January,
1870. at which time Mayor and Board
of Common Council will be elected, as
we'll as Tax Collector and Wharfmsster.
The legislative powers of the city will
be vested in Mayor, Board Of Com
mon Councimen and Board Of Alder
men. which together shall be styled the
"Geueral Council of the City Of Mem
phis." No person can be eligible as
Common Councilman who has not at
tanned the age of twenty-five (25) years,
aud no person shall be eligible So an
Alderman who has not attained the sge
OF thirty years; nor shall any person be
eligible to seatin either Board who has
not resided one year in the city of Mem
phis, and two years in the county OF
Shelby next preceding his election, and
shall have been bona fde resident OF
the ward six months preceding bis cleo
ton. The Common Coupilmen will be
chosen for one year, and no longer; and
the Aldermen for two years, and no
longer. Aldermen first elected under
this charter shall divide themselves, by
LOT. into two classes-frst and second
and equal in point Of numbers; and the
seats of the members of the FIRST class
shall be vacant at the End of one year,
and those of the second vacant at the
end of two years. Each Board shall
elect from among its members Presi-
dent of the Board.
The bill specifies that the Mayor shall
be the chief executive officer of the city,
and that he shall possess the qualiiica-
tion of being not less than thirty years
old and bona fde resident of the city
for one year preceding his election and
a citizen of Shelby county two years
next prscedirg bis election; and at the
same time, if elected, shall not be H.
terssted in any contract with the city,
and shall not be sn officer of the Uaited
States. or the State of Tennessee, or OF
the county Of Shelby. he shall approve
every law passed by the General Council
before it takes effect. Two-thirds OF both
the Boards may, however. pass any
law over his veto. The present
Metropolitan police system has been
repealed by this new charter, and new
police department created, which will be
uuder the control of the Mayor, President
OF the Board Of Aldermen and President
of the Board Of Common Council, who
together shall constitute the Police Board.
This Board has power to appoint ell
officers and subordinstes in the depart
partment, except the Chief and the Re
corder. The number and their pay will
be regulated by the General Council.
The Recorder shall be 90 ex-ofiicio JUS
tice Of the Peace, and have power to
bear and determine all cases that may
arise under the charter.
In addition to the powers of the old
Board the General Council will have
power to establish workhouse, where
offenders msy be punished by term Of
labor, aud also the power TO prohibit
public lines from bringing paupers to The
city; also, power to enforce quarantine
within ten miles of the city.
The new charter provides that when
the owners Of property fail to make re-
quired improvements. such as grading
and paving, lien may be taken and held
upon the property for one year, or until
payment is made.
BY The terms OF the charter cur city
Legislature is empowered to levy and col
lect taxes necessary for defrsying the ex-
peuses Of carrying on the city govern
meut, but the tax imposed shall not ex-
coed one per centum on every one hun
dred dollsrs' wsrsh of property in the
city, valued at cash prices.
The General Council shall further have
the power of levying and collecting a
poll-iax upon ali ths inhabitants Of the
city liable to psy such tax TO the State.
The power of improving streets and
alleys are ample. together with collecting
taxes Tor paying for the same.
Thirty dsys before the general election
in January, 1871, the M@yor is directed