Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1869-06-26
CITY COUNCIL.
Called Meeting of the Board OF
Mayor and Aldermen.
The Little Rock Railroad Stock Lev
led Upon for a Debt Of $4,000.
The Mayor Asks for Leave on the
Same Conditions as Before
and is Refused.
No Compromise Effected.

anu AAALAA ALA 81 AlA1 L
ing at five o'clock, Chairman Swayne pre-
siding. The roll being called, nd quo
rum found to be present, the Secretary
read the following communication;
MEMPHIS, June p, lS69.
To the Honorable Board of Mayor and
Aldermen of the city of Memphis:
GeufLemsa. An execution for four thou
sand eight hundred dollars has been levied
on the stocks of the Memphis and Little
Rock Railroad belonging to the city OF
Memphis. l have made every effort thaI
I could to raise the money to pay on the
execution and release the stock, and have
failed to do anything as yet to accomplish
the object. Since the decision OF the Su-
preme Court in the case of Harrington
and others has been given against The
civ of Memphis, there seems 10 be no
n who is willing TO advance Inc
CITY the necessary funds on any terms.
If the Finance Committee Will suggest
any plan by which the money can be
raised for that purpose they Wllplease 20
so immediately, as the sale OF the stock
will take place tomorrow.
r. d. BAUGH,
City Comptroller.
On motion. The communication was re
eeived and filed.
The Chair announced 10 the Board that
His Honor. Mavor Leftwich, wished to
address them, and their being no oD]oc-
ton. DR.. Leftwich came forward me sad
that at the suggestion of some members OF
the Board-one, at least, who misunder-
the relations which Influenced al
of them himself and the Board) at their
last meeting-he had called the meeting
TO renew his request for leave of absence,
and that Alderman Black represent him
as Mayor pro tenn. As to Alderman
Black, if any gentleman around the
Board had any good objection 10 MN,
moral. social or otherwise, he would be
the very first TO withdraw n
meeting. when be appointed
Black he had no idea for moment that
there would be an objection to him, and
when the gentleman from the Fourth
Ward raised the question ofthe law on the
subject, he could not believe for a mo-
ment that any objection would pc raised
by him 10 Alderman Black, but that when
the form OF the law was complied with Al
derman Black would be confirmed by
them. In thinking over whom amongthe
Board he should appoint, he hit upon Al
derman Black as the one to be Ofal others
peculiarly acceptable to all. In all their
debates. even among the hottest, he could
remember Of no harsh or personal remarks
that Black had ever made. The question
for the Board to decide now was whether
the bOaEA VIII NIOldAt All DA4 NAotOAA tANt
had never been deviated from, or adhere
to a courtesy that had been accorded from
time immemoriaL. In nominating Alder
man Black, neither at the previous meet
ing nor at the present one, had he thought
of his politics. His politics has never en-
tered his (Leffwich's) mind. Indeed, he
never knew until since then what his
politics were-so quiet and u~nobtrusiYe
was he in his views. He now states, how
ever, that Black WAS even less rigid, or
more conservative b himself. His
Honor concluded by repeating his request
f0c the leave.
The Chair asked for what lengthof time.
His Honor said tha.it would be InpOs-
sible TO say. He would return just rs
soon as his health would permit, and he
further would promise to return at any
time, at the risk Of his health or even Of
his life, if, in his views, or he should learn
that the interests OF Memphis demanded
his presence here.
Alderman Cicalla moved that Indefinite
leave be granted His Honor, and that Al
dernan Black be confirmed as Mayor pro
tenn.
Alderman Dyer said he did not wish to
be considered a sticAler in small matters.
On the former occasion he would have
voted for Alderman Black, and prepared
to do so, when Alderman Black made a
remark which changed his mind. He had
said that he would never vote for Alder
men BIack-not that he did not admire
and esteem him, but there were i~nsupera-
bic objections to him. One objection was
that Alderman Black is ardentlv in favor
of the sale of the city's stock in the Little
Rock Railroad, which this Board and the
community were unalterablv opposed to.
He thought that there were other gentle
men around the Board that they could
unite on. Any other gentleman would
s. IT. 49, wLnA Al1aaaaun DH.Llr
for he was the n that brought all the
storm down on them at the previous
meeting. The Mayor, in this TRADE Of
invective which he poured out upon the
Board, said that he had known Of the
crimes and misdeme3nOrs that he charged,
for some three or four weeks or three or
four months. WHY did he not tell of
them or think of them. until the Board
had refused to confirm his appOInJee?
The Chair here interrupted Mr.. Dyer
and said that he must confine himself 10
the subject, as he lthe Chair would allow
no personalities.
Alderman DYER disclaimed any inlen-
ton Of being personal, and said that he
never dealt in personalities or invectve.
Alderman Moffet said that the only rea-
son 80 far urged against Alderman Black
was, that he was in favor Of the sale of the
Little Rock Railroad stock. This was
simply pUerile. II was no objection at
all. Even if he were in favor Of the sale,
what could be do toward efiecting IL? If
he were a thousand times i'm favor of il.
he conld not sell il, unless the Board or
dered the sale.
Alderman Renner did not like 10 make
a speech, but would beg both parties TO
yield a little-make concessions for the
sake of harmony. He wished the
would yield 4 little
Mr.. Black would yield his claims.
They could then center on a mar who
would be agreeable 10 all parties. The
position Of affairs was damaging the city
credit already living so low. This very
ward. He begged the gentlemen 10 make
concessions.
Alderman Clancy said before he took a
vote o. that be wished 10 say a few words.
IL was his intention, he said. to sell the
stock, if he couldn't hypOthecate, il
md pay the July interest. Ills under
standing was that that was the best plan.
Before he voted TO let Mayor Leftwich
have leave Of absence, he wanted 10 ask
him to say whether he CLANCY was a
thief or not. He wanted him to say that.
he had been here t~wenty-one years, and
no man can say that he had ever stolen
inything. He wanted the Mayor TO say
whether he was a thief or an honest man.
He was willing to 90 before the Criminal
aLh ssdtA up DtioIt uAEl nedNen
md defend himself.
Alderman Gallagher said that he meant
10 disrespect to Mr.. Black. He thought
ne was a good man and made r good Al
He had given his vote for Mr..
Marshall at the last meeting, and would
to vote for him until he with
rev.
Alderman Marshall said rather than
zee any further division or discussion he
would withdraw all claims for the posi-
ion. He wanted peace and quiet.
Alderman Clancy wanted that the
make a few remarks. He wanted
to pick out the thieves and robbers.
Alderman Williams said that he thought
II those who voted against the Mayors
hoice the other evening would repeat it,
S they were of the same opinion. As Al
.ermen Renner said, he wanted a com
rOmise, but they had granted the Mayor
leave in the most gentlemanIy
and he flew up at them and
hrOwed il in their face. He would like
D see somebody else Mayor beside Mr.. I
lack. WoHld ike to see the present {
hartman Judge Swayne) or his friend
rom the First Ward, Alderman Foley, J
!
Alderman Foley declined the honor. J
The ayes and noes on the motion Of Al a
unn EeaaNNa - IT, I