Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1870-02-25
THE CORPORATE LIMITS.

Editors appeal: 1t appears that the
corporate Limits" is again the subject
under discussion.
Before the last extraordinary extension,
time and again, Legislature after Legisls-
ture, the project Of extension was at
tempted, but, by reason of its manifest in
Justice and no earthly necessity for it, it
as often failed. At last Radicalism ac-
complished it, not because necessary or
right, but to 6TinQ in a large cOIOrcd pop
uIdtiOH and defeat LeftlUjch for Mayor.
That was the reason. And DR.. Shaw sub
stantially admits as much when he says
thai he stated such would not be the ef-
feet, as it was not.
The object of incorporation is the gov
eminent Of great numbers of persons,
etc. Before the last extension not the
twentieth of the then city territory was
built up, and it was then too large TO be
maintained with streets, lights, fire de-
partments, etc.
The territory now is several times larger
large enough for the city of New York!
The reasons for this7I nave stated the
proper reasons for iucorporatingEit is
said, the citizens in the suburbs get the
benefits of the city without paying for
them. If so, it is without their fault; but
this is not true, though it is the common
stuff we hear on that subject. They pay
for every benefit they have in or of
the city, the UerV same that others pay in
the city, from the sale of a chicken or
pint of milk to the merchandise of the
bazaar on Main street; and it does not
matter UhGt trade or profession they fol-
I0r. But, il is as fOolishly aud untruly
said, also, that the city enhances their
property outside, and hence they should
paw. Were it so, it costs the city nothing
to do it. Perhaps the city, though, en-
hances the property of Fayette county or
Marshall cOunty-and it does, indeed, just
as much, distance considered, and no
more. DO you ask to make these coun-
ties pay, too? The truth is, as all know,
that it is the country that builds up and
makes the city. Strike Memphis from
the map, for example, and the country
would make another Memphis; but strike
the country from the map and Memphis
Ooes dorm, and will be but the home Of
the bat and the beetle. There is a test;
and where will you begin with the coun-
try, and where end il? Begin at the
outer circles of her trade, and end where
the cify generally IS, not at its imaginary
lines extended out into the country 10 get
city revenue off country property l
hold. then, that it is the country that
makes the city, from one inch out to the
full circle of the trade that comes to it.
But, it is said that, though the subur-
bans pay, as the citizens do, for all their
privileges in the city, yet their property
in the country ought to be taxed 6y and
for the city. WhyY If they pay as others
in the city do, why tax their property,
too, which is or ought to be out? Just
because it is cut ! Then tax Fayette
county too. Nonsense ! If the subur-
bans do live outside and do business in
side the city, as stated, they pay for the
privilege. Their property outside ought
not to be taxed too because it is outside;
because il is not neal to business; because
it does not rave the advantages Of the
city. Suppose Judge Wrlght's or
Swayne'g house takes fire, will the fire
department, excellent as il is, can it save
them ? Does the gas department benefit
them 3? Does the Police Department ?
Does the City Hospital benefit these su-
burbans? Does the Nicholson pavement
benefit them more than others who come
to the town TO add to its life and trade ?
Yet, all these requiring an immense rev.
enue the suburbans are equally taxed to
maintain. The fact is, it is taxing the
country property TO benefit the cWIproper-
ty. And It is unjust-Without the consent
OF the taxed. Now, look at the present
city limits. The look Of itself amazes a
man Of conscience. You see in them the
gardens and farms that feed the city; and
even plantations, broad acres Of land, I'M
tenanted except by the lone %tillers, the
LaDOIeIs IN the SOIL, OF the nome OF a soil
tary family. Does not the outrage APP
pear at a glance, when il is stated that
these grounds are taxed as city propertyg
And often-oftener than otherWise-the
income from these grounds, so far as un-
der rent, does not pay the interest in the
Investment in them-aye, lot the taxesl
This, 1 think, you viii consider the
proper view Of the subject, nOtwithstand-
ing the cant about the city making the
couutrV- etc And / hin Won will CON
cede that the outrages Of taxing the su-
burbs against their consent, for the benefit
of the city, ought to be removed.
SUBURBS.