Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1871-11-20
he ipouirpe mind ofthe taxpayers, when

the induirTng mind Of the taxpayers, when
! in fact no investigation was intended.
We have rot encouraged this idea. On
| The contrary we have believed and sRid
that the resolution was doubtless adopted
in good faith, and that the report would
be forthcoming in ample time; that our
officials would not undertake TO trifie
with their constituents. And we hope so
still. But we confess to just slight un-
eRsiness lest the action shall be little
tardy. There Is no time to lose in this
matter. The accounts Of the city Of Lou
iRyfIle cannot be examined Enthusiastically
in day nor a week. We, in common
with the masses, approve our public func-
tionRriss. But, in common with the
masses, we want TO do SO upon satisfae-
tory exhibition of the bRlanoe-sheete.
The rscsnt Developments in New York
have opened the eyes of the people tn the
fact that immense frauds and peculations
csn be perpstratsd and continued for
years, and the public be none the wiser
And they are naturally enough disposed
to inquire more frequently and more rig
orouslY into the action of their public
servants than of yore.
In a spirit of kindness, but frBnkness
we say to our city officials that they must
make an exhibition of the operations of
the currert year before they need bope
for an Endorsement from the psopla The
master Of the household--she people
will return in December, snd will require
an sccount Of their stewardship from all
10 whom talents were cOnfided. And no
excuse will be taken from such as cannoi
show what thsy have done and how they
thing: No slipshod, formal, whitewash-
ing report will do. Neither will any re-
port, however elaborate and plausible, be
satisfactory If not made by men known
TO be impartial and competent. Further,
we want to assure them. for that il right,
that the Investigation must begin at Orce.
1t has been delayed too long. 1t Is right
to be perfectly candid at all times, and
this we profess to be. And in oandor we
tell the city officials that there are lurking
suspicious that all Is not well In all the
departments Of the municipal govern
ment, and thers is determination, which
cannot be thwsrted, to examine the green
room, unless the curtain be raised, snd
the whole eczema be brought before the
fooflights. We assume thst these sus
picions sra the result merely of q morbid
dis rust Of municipal officers consequent
upon the villany of Fammsny. But
then. like a vast number of other good
oitizsns, we want to know how 1t is our
self And we intend 70 know.
From the Mobile RegIster.l
Not few citizens are stricken with the
ambition TO be mayor Of the city. To
many, doubtless. the prospect of enjoy
ing The salary affixed 20 that offioe Is q
o sassnt one But how many OF them
have oensi7 cred the salary equivalent to
that public duty and the punllo needs re-
quiie TO be paid for that enioyment7 Il
snv gentleman thinks th6t to be mayor
of Mobile st this particular juncture Is to
rsDOse for a year on bed OF roses, he
ne yer made q greater mistake in his life
The mayoralty is 9 tolerable possession to
only two classes of persons. The first
class Is of those who are after the salary
and nothing else. and who care nothing
for the duties TO be performed, the respOn-
sibilities to be incurred, and the raputs-
ton to be damned by coming out of his
ofiice-a dead failure. The second class
is Of those who possess real abilities for
an office Of very great responsibility, and
who are of q arm temper to plumb the
line of duty and walk s,rsigh' through 3
labyrinth OF conflicting interests, jsrring
and discordsnt views of pub
lie policy,
We believe that never before were q
people more anxious than those of Mobile
ust now, 20 select the very best available
man for the msyOrslty of the city. IL Is |
q most important office-a most difficul. |
office. A really great man is wanted TO |
set the city like Light on a hill, by grsp-
piing with the elements that are hostile |
10 Its welfare in our midst, and by com
that confid-ncs in our corporate |
integrity and ability abroad which has |
oaen so rudely and iniuriously assaulted /
oy these elements. II really great man |
cannot be found, the people must sp- |
DrOsch that standard as nearly as possible |
The first requisite is integrity and an |
ardent desire TO serve the public. |
The next is ability. The very last con
,iderstion should be the desire to give /
,nrna rlaadv rnar the salarV