Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-10-27

EDITORS LEDGER: As matter OF gen
eral information, and for the purpose OF
atFording our representatives in the Legs
lature an opportunity TO ascertain the
wishes of their constituents in municipai
matters Of much importance, desire TO
state the principal and most important
amendments proposed in bill just for
warded to Nashville. In relation to the
charter of the city of Memphis. The pro-
posed new charter claims to reduce the
charter of the city Of Memphis, and the
several acts ameDdatory thereof, into one
act and to revise the same. The changes
proposed are as follows: Il.
lat. The legislative department of the
oorperation will consist Of two Boards
a Board of twenty Common Councilmen,
and Board of Aldermen consisting OF
ten members, one from each Ward. A
proper,y qualification of $4,000 of real
estate. subject to execution and sale, is
required only for the ten Aldermen.
This properly qualification was de-
manded BY many property owners OF the
CITY az matter of right to the property
interest of the corporation. 1t attaches,
as l have stated, only to the ten Alder
men and not to the Common Council.
The powers of the two Boards are equal
except as to the appointment and dis
missal of city officers, which is vested IN
the new charter solely in the Board OF
Aldermen-the Mayor still having the
right to nominate as beretofore. NO
law or ordinance is valid until it has
passed two separate readings in both
branches of the General Council-mean.
inc the two Boards-and has received
the approval and signature of the Mayor.
I'd. All city officers, except the Mayor,
are elected by the Board Of aldermen
upon the nomination OF the Msyor--in-
GLIDING the Whsrfmsster and Tax Col
Iector, heretofore elected by the people.
Sd. The act creating metropolitan,
Police for Shelby county and the city OF
Memphis is repealed. and the power to
establish night and day watches and
natrols vested in the General Council OF
The city, under the following regulations:
There will be Chief of Police and
City Recorder elected by the Board OF
Aldermen upon the nomination OF the
MAYOR. A Police Board is provided for,
consisting of the Mayor as President OF
the Board of Aldermen and President OF
The Common Council. All power to APP
point aud dismiss policemen, and to en-
act. modify and repeal FHIes and regula-
tions Of general discipline is vested in
the Police Board--the General Council
only having the right to determine the
number and pay of the men employed.
4th. The Office of Street Commissioners
IA not provided for, and vas intended to
be filled BY the City Engineer. One or
mere tax collectors Is provided for, .leav..
Jog il to be determined BY the General
Council whether there shall be either q
street Commissioner or Privilege Col
lector, and, in the absence OF both, the
duties of one to be performed by the En-
gineer and of the other by the Collector
Of Taxes on Property.
9Th. The ward registration law as first
enacted Tor the CITY is reinstated--the
Registrars being appointed by the Mayor
and the registration opening thirty days
and closing fifteen days before the cleo
ton.
oh. The General Council elected mn
der the amended Charter 10 10 organize
on the first Monday after the hrst Thurs
day in January, and the terms Of the
present Aldermen are to expire upon the
organization Of the new Boards.
The above are ell the important
changes in the new Charter. There are
come minor pfogipiops, slch as pro-
hibition Of any appropriations gaiess the
money is actually 10 the Treasury, the
issuance of gsrnishments against deiln.
ouent taxpayers. q provision for the trial
Of members If the General Council and
officers Coz misdemeanors, etc, and sddi-
tional restrispess ap nuisances, etc,
which will be read when = sePS OF the
bill is returned from Nashville b.