Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1870-10-21
WATER WORKS.

Everybody agrees that Memphis sadly
needs water-works. The necessity is
general, and, we might say, urgent. The
subject has been discussed for years,
and still there is no immediate prospect
of obtaining the much-needed boon. An
unfortunate lawsuit stands in the way
of the enterprise, and meanwhile lnsu-
rance rates are ruinously high; the fire
department, to be efficient as IL is, costs
a great deal Of money, and the masses
of our people wonder why Memphis can
not have water-works like any other city
of the same population. Mayor John
SON conceived it to be his duty to con-
test the constitutionality of a charter
obtained by private company from the
last Legislature to erect wster-works.
The case went before Chancellor Yerger,
one Of the ablest jurists Of the State, and
was heard at great length. The ablest
counsel in the city were arrayed against
each other on either side, and after 8
patient hearing and investigation of all
the facts and the law bearing on the sub
iect Chancellor Yerger rendered q de-
cisiou in favor of the company. Mayor
johnson made a good fight against a
charter which he, doubtless, had good
reasons to condemn. The LEDGER has
refrained from becoming a partisan in
this important lawsuit, involving such
great interests; but now chat il is over
in one court at least, can find
. no objection to the Mayors course. He
acted in good faith, as we believe, and
with view only to do what he regarded
as right in protecting the interests of the
city. 1t is understood that he intends
to appeal from Chancellor Yerger's de-
cision to the Supreme Court. This in
wolves delay that we regret TO see. For
in the meantime neither the company
holding this charter or the city authori-
ties will attempt to go forward with the
work, and throw bonds on the market
which could not bring forty cents on the
dollar We leare at this stage of pro-
ceedings, and mentioned the fact yester-
day, that a petition is in circulation, ask
ing the General Council to appoint
a committee with power to act, to confer
with this water-works company, and
ascertain whether or not terms can be
made that will be equitable to the city
and the rights Of the company, and al
the same time protect the interests Of
eve y citizen. We can see no objection
to such step The company may be
able to satisfy the requirements and the
desires Of the city authorities, and to
give sach guarantees as viii secure the
private patrons Of the institution all the
advantages enjoyed by the people Of
other cities. The LEDGER is in favor Of
the speedy erection Of water-works,
and will favor the man OF eorpo-
ration who DO it the soonest and
best; provided the rights Of all
classes in the community are protected
from eSorbitant charges. This is our
platform on the water-works question.
If anybody has better one and will
prove it, We will change our opinion and
position. The appointment Of such
committee can do no harm. and may be
the means Of arriving at a fair under
standing between the conflicting repres-
entasivee Of the public welfare. We
want waier-works;. every man. woman
and child in the city is interested, 10
some degree, in the subject, and what
ever means may be adopted 10 secure
such blessing At an early day, on the
conditions ssor= sHeniionea, ~s believe
viii meet With general appreciation
We trust. therefore. that the petition will
be carefully considered BY all 60 whom
il Is presented.