Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1872-05-22
ADDRESS or THE EXECUTIVE CON.
l TlITTEE.
To 1l.e cl.lzen. q sheIhr connlr.


zens of Shelby county, appointed by the
| people assembled at Greeniaw Opera
/ house on the sixteenth instant, have this
day met and organized for business.
They subiOin to this address the resolu-
tiOns adopted by that large convention
of the people, and earnestly invite the
| cooperation OF every citizen Of the
county In the efforts now being made TO
reduce the burdens Of taxation imposed
upOn US, to an1eiiorate the condition of
| all the people, to destroy the corruptions
which are feeding upon the vitals Of the
county, and which threaten bankruptcy
and destruction. This committee is not
raised or organized to labor for the in
| terests of any portion or class of the citi-
zens in opposition to other portions or
classes, nor for any political ends. The
object and policy are topromote the COM
mon good Of all citizens who lovehOnest
and economical government and who
desire to unite in securing the best in
terests of the community. This eOnYen-
ton of the people assumed that the
native and foreign-bOrn citizen, the
merchant, the mechanic, the profess
sional man, the laboring man, and all
classes and conditions of our people,
were identified in q common interest,
and desire to secure good and honest
government, and hence this appeal is
made TO every citizen. The committee
call upon you for your support and eo-
operation, and as their labors will be for
the public veal, they shall expect to be
encouraged and assisted by the people.
One strong and united effort will relieve
and disembarrass us of many Of the
troubles that beset US, and in a few short
months we may expect the sunlight Of
prosperity to dispel the gloom that now
lowers over us. The people can and are
determined TO relieve themselves. The
resolutions of the convention are as
follows:
BY order of the Executive Committee of
Citizens of Shelby county:
ResOlped, That the recent report of
the Grand JuFy-a legally constituted
body of good citiZens-aeting under their
oaths, and which must be accepted as
true until the contrary appears-reyeals
to the people of Shelby county disorders
and irregularities in the administration
of the laws and affairs of our county
which imperatively demand redress at
the hands of the people.
.Second-Th the only remedy for exist
ing disorders IS to call loudly upon the
properly constituted authorities and
officials to discharge their whole duties,
firmly aud energetieally, in the enforce
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 bArdens of taxation
upon the people of this county and city
are intOleTable, 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 affiict 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 OF
condition, and disclaims and disfavors
the organization of classes or individu-
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 expedieut to lessen the bur-
deris of taxation upon the people by the
retrenchment of the expenses of the
government by imposing restraints and
checks upon Office-holders, by reducing
the number of office-holders and their
fees and salaries whenever it may he
practicable, and by q 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 suth laws as will reduce
the fees and salaries of the oflice-holders
10 limited amount, or to a stated sal
ary, by fixing 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. I
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 /
a trial by jury shall be expressly de
BY either party in a cause, and /
by such prudent measures as shall not /
involve constitutional difficulties.
Ninth-That the Legislature be re-
quested to remodel the present County /
Court system, or enact such notifications /
Of the same as will hold these courts and I
the justices thereof to a strict aeeounta- |
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 70 the responsibility Of these /
offices, and making it the duty of such /
officers, under severe penalties for dis
to keep full and fair accounts |
Of all of their official acts as pre- |
seribed 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. /
Tentb-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 the Legislature be re-
quested to abolish all offices which can 1
possibly and eonstitutionally be dis
pensed with.
ANOTHER CONSTITUTIONAL CONVEX /
TION.
Twelfth-That the Legislature be re-
quested to submit to the people the /
question of ealiinga convention to alter, |
reform or abolish the present eonstitu- /
ton Of the State, in purruance of sec
ton three of article eleventhof the con-
stitution.
Thirteentb-That the Judge of the
Criminal Court the AttOrnpy-G General 1