Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1872-05-21

ing disorders is to call loudly upon the
properly constituted authorities and
officials to discharge their whole duties,
firmly and energetically, in the enforce
I ment of the laws, in the investigation Of
disorders, and in bringing the guilty to
punishment; and the only means by
which the recurrence or perpetuatiOn of
these evils can be avoided is to invoke
wise legislation on the part of the next
/ General Assembly in removing the de-
fects and imperfectiOns Of existing laws.
Third-That the burdens Of taxation
upon the people of this county and city
are intolerable, and they, with united
voices, insist upon some relief, and viii
prosecute all lawful means to alleviate
! themselves of this excessive taxation
until they shall accomplish their pur-
pose.
Fourth-That every citizen Of Shelby
/ county is interested in correcting the
evils which afflict the county, and is
| presumed to be in sympathy with the
! people now assembled, in their purpose
! to provide remedies for their protection;
therefore, 'this meeting claims to repre-
sent and speak the will of the whole
| county, without distinction of class or
condition, and disclaims and disfavOrs
| the organization of classes or individu-
ais in opposition to any portion of the
people against the corrupt and vicious.
Fifth-That the Legislature of Ten
neSsee, at its next meeting, be earnestly
/ requested to enact such laws as may be
considered eXpedient to lessen the bur-
! dens of taxation upon the people by the
retrenchment of the expenses of the.
/ government by imposing restraints and
ahaa1~c 11vnnro hol hxr -arlTrafvaCr
the number of Offiee-holders and their
| fees and salaries whenever it may be
/ practicable, and by settled and unwa-
vering policy of economy and prudence
| in the administration of the govern
ment.
/ Sixth-That the Legislature be re-
/ quested to enact such laws as viii reduce
/ the fees and salaries of the Office-hOlders
/ to limited amount, or to a stated sal
| airy, by fixing a maximum sum to be
! received by each officer, according to the
amount of labor and skill required and
! responsibility assumed; or by such other
means as may seem wise and prudent to
/ that honorable body.
Seventh-That the Legislature be re-
| quested to abolish one of the Chancery
and one of the Circuit Courts Of Shelby
county in order that the taxation and
expenses Of the people may be reduced.
Eighth-That the Legislature be re-
quested to remodel the jury system of
the State with a view to a reduction Of
the enormous expenses incident to the
present system, and so as to dispense
with jUries in civil causes except where
trial by jury shall be expressly de-
manded by either party in a cause, and
by such prudent measures as shall not
involve constitutional difficulties.
Ninth-That the Legislature be re-
guested to remodel the present County
Court system, Orenact such notifications
of the same as will hold these courts and
the justices thereof to a strict accounta-
bility for the proper, efficient and faith
full discharge of their duties; and especi-
ally that existing laws be so amended as
to require the chairmen and financial
agents of the county to give bonds pro-
portiOned to the responsibility of these
offices, and making it the duty Of such
officers, under severe penalties for dis
obedience, to keep full and fair accounts
of all of their official acts as pre-
scribed by law, and requiring said ac
counts to be faithfully revised and ap-
approved, or disallowed, by the Quarterly
Courts at stated times during each year.
TenJh-That in consideration Of the
fact that the duties of County Trustees
are very light, the Legislature be re-
quested to reduce the fees and commits
siOns Of that Office.
Eleventh-That the Legislature be re-
quested TO abolish all offices which can
possibly and cOnstitutiOnaLy be dis
pensed with.
ANOTHER CONSTITUTIONAL CONvEN- |
TIoN.
Twelfth-That the Legislature be re-
quested TO submit to the people the
question of callinga convention to alter, |
reform or abolish the present constitu- |
ton of the State, in purruance Of sec |
ton three Of article eleventh Of the con-
stitution.
Thirteenth-That the Judge of the |
Criminal Court, the Attorney General |
and the Grand Juries thereof be, and |
they are hereby most earnestly exhOrted, |
to continue the investigations which the /
late Grand Jury has so faithfully and |
commercially inaugurated under the |
auspices of the court and the Attorney |
General; that they expose all official |
delinqueneies, corruptions, malpractices |
and extortions, and use all legal means1
committed to them to bring offenders to |
swift and sure punishment; to destroy /
corruption in office, and protect the in !
terests Of the people.
Fourteenth-That the especial atten- |
ton of office-holders and of the public |
be called to the twenty-fifth section of |
the second article OF the constitution, |
which makes "al persons incompetent i
and ineligible to hold any Office who
shall not have accounted for and paid /
into the treasury all sums for which he
may be accountable or liable.u
Fifteenth-That committee of twen- /
ty-tive representative men be, and the /
same is hereby appointed, TO be called l
the Executive Committee of the Citi-
zens of Shelby County, /" who shall stand |
as the Representatives of the people, /
whose duty it shall be to embody in q |
suitable memorial to the next Legisla-
ture Of Tennessee the reforms indicated 1
in these resolutions. petitioning the
Legislature to take the same into con-
sideratiOn and enact such laws as will [
afford the relief desired; to send to the
Legislature such suitable representatives
of the citizens as may be chosen by
said committee TO present the memo
rial, and secure, by all lawful and
proper means, the legislation indicated
therein. 1t shall also be the duty of this
committee to receive and disburse the
funds which shall be raised by the
people in accordance with these reso-
iuti0ns; to make investigation Of official
disorders and Irregularities; 10 aid and
assist the officers Of the law in bringing
offenders to justice; TO call the people
together in mass meeting from time TO
time, if it shall be necessary; to consider J