Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-11-12
TIE UNION DEPOT QUESTION


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day AFTERNOON to consider the subject of
a Union Depot. The following members
we're present: Hon. John W. Leftwich,
Mayor; and Chairman Swayue, CLANCY,
Foley, Joyce. Marshall, Darf, Cart
wright, Dyer. Hoist, ODonnell. Cicalls,
Gallagher, Motfet, Vincent, Ellis and
Williams, Aldermen.
A long message from the Mayor which
we present in condensed form, is as fol-
lows:
Mayors OFFICE, CITY HALL,
MEMPHIS, TENN. November ii, 1869.
Honorable Board Of Aldermen:
You have been convened in extra SEES
sion TO consider the vast importance of a
Uaion Railroad Depot, and in connec-
ton Herewith the feasibility of prevent
ing the further encroachments of the
river on our front.
Ia determining these questions, you
determine whether provision shall be
made adequate to the wants of first
class commercial city, or whether the
measure of Memphis greatness has been
filed, and her merchants and citizens
content to gather illiberal profits from
those who, having no choice of routes,
are compelled to patronize US because OF
our locality.
Memphis has exacted tribute from
every passenger and bale or box ofgoods
that has passed through her corporation
and has been an immense loser by this
suicidal policy. Any one will realize
this by standing day at Grand juno
ton or Humboldt, and witnessing the
tide of travel and freights that go around
US. Our restrictions have driven both
trade and travel from Memphis. Candor
compels us to admit that our natural
advantages" have been harped upon till
we forget that well organized combina.
tons can and will overcome all such if
net developed by energy and foresight.
Having shown the absolute necessity
for concentration of all the railroad
lines at one depot and it's connection
with the river, the questions naturally
arise, where shall it be located and what
is needed on our part to insure its speedy
completion
The navy yard and adjacent grounds
have been believed to be the proper loca-
ton, but the encroachments of the river
threaten the grounds, and they could not
be saved, perhaps, without great cost.
But the cost would be much less than the
value Of the grounds.
This grave question is left for you to
determine, and if decided affirmatively |
would recommend as the appropriate,
and indeed only way, to provide for the
expenditure, that authority be granted
A. C. La- 0 nd 1nlI in
thirty years six per cent. bonds, the in
terest to be provided for by setting aside
thirty thousand dollars per snnum of the
wharfage receipts, and after five years
to set apart twenty thousand dollars per
annum from the same fund, to provide
for the payment of said bonds at ma
turity, or retiring them as the fund for
that purpose accumulstes.
Thus provided for, the bonds would be
accepted by capitalists as frst.class
security, and would command a price
accordingly, while we may reliably cal
culate that at the expiration Of the five
years mentioned the receipts from wharf
age, now about fifty thousand dollars
per anuum, would be sufficient to pro.
vide for interest and principal, with q
sufiiciency left to meet all necessary
annual improvements on the landing.
Tnis mode of permanently improving
the landing with receipts from wharfage
would appropriately meet the not un-
reasonable complaints of steamboatmen
that the wharfage receipts have not been
applied to the improvement of the land.
ing.
As an important part of the permanent
Improvement to be paid for frop the
Wharfage receipts, l would earnestly re-
commend the grading of the promenade
between Jefferson and Usion streets, and
the removal OF the dirt to the low grounds
between the City Hall and the river.
This would remove two disgusting eye
sores, and give us the most beautiful
front on the Mississippi river.
When the improvements suggested in
this communication are completed, and
in accordance with enlightened public
sentiment, tsyes on privileges are abol-
iahed, Memphis will broadly assqEe the
bioh position among the cities of the land
that her unequaled local advantages en-
titles her TO,
I Yours very respectfully, ete.i
JOHN W. LEFTwIcH, Mayor.
Received and ordered published, and
referred to a special committee of four
Messrs. Marshall, Foley, Ellis, Cartwright
and Wolcott, with his Honor the Mayor
end the City Engineer.
A petition gas read from Gel, NJ. ].
Wicks in behalf OF the Memphis and
Charleston R ilroad Company, setting
forth the importance of central depot
aud asking the privilege for all the rail-
roads of establishing depot on the
ground bounded by Union street on the
north, Clinton street on inc east, beal
street on the south and the riyer co tss
west, With the lurther privilege Of build
ing trSinwsys from the depot to the river
at low water mark; the city reserviug to
themselves the wharf and wharf priyi-
leges. And farther asking tho privilege
of running o railroad track on Beal
street, from the point of intersection of
their present track With said street to
said Union Central Depot,
Referred to the same committee.
A petition was also read from The ST.
Louis Packet Company, setting forth
that they have not sufficient room and
asking for such portion of the wharf, just
below Union street, as may be necessary
for the use of their bosls, and pledging
the company to advance such sum of
money as may be required to do the nee
essary grading and paving, upon such
terms and conditions az may be fair and
This was likewise referred
to the same committee.
The Board adjourned without taking
other action of importance.
GAME AND FIsH.-The season for these
Injuries has fairly set 10, and the demand
for them is great; but, Notwithstanding
all this, Victor D. Fuchs has ? Efficiency
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