Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-03-22
FORTY YEARS IN mEmpHIs.
The Present and Past = someth Ing
Tor Aldermen 90 Read-Munfcip"i
Acknowledgement and Enfafrness--
Voice from the Dark. ~

A Voice from the DARK. II.
MENPHIs. March II. 1859.
EDIToR LEDGER: Years and years
ago, when this locality was as familisrly
known as the Fourth Chickesaw Bluff as
it was by the name of Memphis-when
the celebrated Crockett and the Indians
we're our neighbors, and the great high
land pirate Murrell held sway over this
region-when we had Turley on the
bench and Cannon for Governor--tben
all we're protected in their constitutional
rights and liberties; then the vicious
we're punished, and when the law was at
fault in accomplishing the latter the So
Der Indians made up the deficiency.
Then the officers Of every department
were selected from the better class OF
citizens-honesty and capacity being the
test to preferment. Such bonds were
then required and given as we're knoion
to be good and sufficient 10 secure both
State and individuals against all defalca-
tions. Then, such was the confidence
of the people in the ability and
integrity of the courts in the administra-
ton of the laws, that appeals were rarely
taken to higher court, unless for delays.
Neither town, county nor State were
taxed with unnecessary bills of costs,
growing out of the action of incompe-
tent courts. In those good old times,
when the eastern boundary of the cor
poration was near St. Peters Church,
none save free or householders were al
low ed voice in the management OF cor
porate affairs. Our taxes were levied,
collected and appropriated chiefly to the
Improvement OF the wharf, streets and
alleys; our credit was then good when
credit was needed), because we lived
within our incomes. In those days few
could prosper and pay ten per cent. for
money; none could remain long solvent
and pay twenty-five per cent. Indeed,
such as were willing to promise twenty
FIVE, were not considered worthy ofcredit
at all. But, Mr. Editor, this is progress
sive age, and there are but few persons
left now who are sufficiently familiar with
the past forty years OF the history OF
Memphis to draw parallel with the pre-
sent times. Under the old state of things
Memphis grew and prospered Since
the war strangers have come down from
the North and administered upon what
little the ravages of war left US. Under
their management of our affairs our pro-
perty has deprecated in value, while our
expenses have largely increased, and
although our real estate is assessed far
above its cost value, our taxes from this
and all other sources of revenue are in
sufficient to meet pressing demands and
the daily city expenses; and yet, with
out any well-grounded hope that we will
be better able to pay at some future
period, we bond our debt, promising to
pay about two for one at some more con-
yenient season and to whom has it been
left to determine so great and important
a measure, covering hundreds of thou
sands of dollars? The loyal voters
of the city. Yes, the loyal" voters,
few of whom have, perhaps, ever paid
one dollar into the City Treasury, except
in the way of fines, and probably never
will pay a cent towards the liquidation OF
the debt they have voted on the taxpayers.
Shame on our City Fathers that they
should, even indirectly, make themselves
parties to so iniquitous and farcical a
proceeding, as to call on the loyol"
voters to determine the propriety OF q
great financial measure.
1t is now, perhaps, more than twenty
years since our City Fathers, prompted,
no doubt, by the interest they felt in
those residing east of the bayou, con-
ceiyed the idea of taking them under their
fatherly care and protection, and had the
city charter 30 amended as to extend
their jurisdiction eastwardly to "Boun-
dary ayenpe," and a few years ago
changed the name of the "Pigeon Roost
road" to the more classic one of Mar
shall avenue" Whether this handsome
name was given as an equivalent or COM
pensation for the thousands of dollars
which those of US residing on the same
were paying annually into the treasury,
the writer is not informed; but there is
one thing he is sure of, that there has
been criminal neglect Of this street ever
since. 1t is at this time, and, generally
speaking, through the winter months a
series of mud holes from the railroad to
Boundary avenue" nor are the side
walks sreh better; and yet, when appeals
have been made 10 the authorities to
have them repaired, the apology cones
There is no money in the treasury with
which to have it DONE" notwithstanding
the hundreds of thousands they receive
annually in the way Of taxes and securi-
ties. :.
The writer feels that he has done his
humble share in building up the city,
and may with propriety add, that during
his residence here of nearly forty years
he has never at any time failed to pay
promptly all assessments made on him
| for taxes. He is, however, one OF the
0roscribed-aot slloyed of late years 10
60 more than hand in bis hard. Learned
casb, to fill up the Golfers of the city,
county and Stats, which is drawn there
| from by those who are to him strangers
Generally, and applied to such pur-
poses as best suit them; not little Of
which ia retained by high-salaried
officers, who contribute but little to the
trgasnry, ED By others who are not only
irresponsible, but offer a. hondsnen
those who are no better than them.
selves.
Previous to the passage Of an ordi.
nance by the Board OF Mayor and
Aldermen requiring the owners of the
property On Marebsl avenue to make
| sideEalks, The writer pAt doyl on hie
front four hundred feet Of one OF the
best plank walks 10 the city, and SINCE
them two hundred feet more between the
west end of his walk and the railroad