Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1872-05-14

commerce, mechanics and enterprise
from the city ard into other States. HI
thought the office-holders, who unfortu-
nately fell under the ban of the Grand
Jury, did their duty in collecting as
much fees as the law provided. It was
for them to consider how best to change
the law. He advised that the commit
tee that should be appointed as a per-
manent body, would not only have some
thing to say in the matter of changing
those laws, but also in naming the mar
to be sent to the legislature. Let us,
said Mr.. Moore, throw aside politics fol
once, just to see how it will feel, and en-
dRyor to send men TO Nashville who
will represent the people of this section
and mott mere clique; who will not cast
a vote to please mere cliques and par
ties, but who will endeavor to legislate
for those they represent, and who will
work cO~nscientiOusly for the good Of the
country.
At this point the committee of three
announced their readiness to report. Mr..
r. A. Parker, the chairman, proceeded
to read the report, when
Mr.. B.. M. Estes asked, who were the
committee, and who appointed them
He was told who the committee were.
and how constituted, which information
seemed to satisfy him. Mr. Parker then
proceeded to read the report, when
A voice cried out from the fir end Of
the hall, "Louder.n The owner of the
voice vas called to the stand, and read
the report himself. He said he would
not do it, but called for a louder articu.
lation. He said, 'FYOu can hear my
voice readily over there; now let u sheal
yours Ove here.n Laughter.
FULLY DETERMINED.
MI. S. NJ. Gates, who occupied a place
near the chair, rose up and said that tht
taxpayers were met there to inauguratC
some effective means of producing re.
form in public affairs. They would dc
that thing no matter what trouble OF
length of time it took, nor what Opposi,
ton it encountered. The meeting would
go on and do its business in spite of al
clamOr and attempts at making a row,
JUSTICE TO MCDOWELL.
The Chair-It has been suggested by
Major Busby that perhaps injustice was
done Mr.. Mcdowell; that he was miss.
understood. We do not wish tOsuppress
any one here, but let every respectable
taxpayer have a voice. The meeting.
have no doubt, desires to give Mr..
Mcdowell every opportunity to place
himself right.
The County Attorney was then in
vited to a place on the stand, from
which he might comfortably address the
mass of heads below. He mounted.
HE SEATS HIMSELF SQUARE ON TILE
PIATFoRM -
Mr.. Mcdowell said the little stir and
excitement which made things so lively
and interesting a few moments before,
was the result of a misunderstanding
between himself and a friend of his. ]
told him, continued Mr.. Mcdowell, that
my remarks did not apply to him, he
misunderstood me; hasty Language
followed, but the difficulty is
cleared up now. He arrived at the
meeting from distant parts with the
welIdefined intention of saying nothing.
He was hot a public speaker, on the
contrary, he was in the habit of difIus-
ing his oratory in the courts only, where
his business led him. He never made a
speech in a public assembly
in his life. He did not come to
make a speech. If there was any rot
tennes5inpublilc offices, he was ready to
assist in using the scalpel to remove
the evil. No mar was willing to
go farther than himself in raising
a clamOr to have offenders removed and
punished, if possible. He was heart
and soul in every movement that had
for its object the removal of all corrup-
ton. He would take much pleasure in
furnishing criminals. He was the rep
~resentative of the County Court and of
the people, so far as their rights went, but
no further, to protect the people from I'M
just claims and charges. He didn wish
to occupy the time of the meeting, and
he would therefore conclude by thank
ing them for the attention with which
they listened to his remarks.
Mr.. Parker then proceeded to read
the report of the committee.
CONSTITUTIONAL ENACTMENTs.
WHEREAS, We, the undersigned, believing
that the increase of taxation is rapidly prov
ing the ruin OF our city and county, by insur-
ing reputation at an early day, and that the
has arrived when the united action Of
the taxpayers and all who, in the capacity Of
good citizens, have the welfare and the pros
perity Of the city and county at heart, and
desire the just execution of the laws, is yiFtu-
ally necessary, hereby uniting unde the con-
stitution hereunt appended, agree TO be gov
erned by its provisions for the following aims
and purposes:
First-To secure the rigid enforcement of all
relating to the distribution of public
Second-To secure the passage of such laws,
or such amendments to existing laws, as will
tend TO reduce the numbers of sinecure offices,
to a just basis the salaries, emolu-
ments and fees of office, and generally to re-
duce taxation.
Thirdly eschewing all personal, political
or sectional creeds, to obtain by every legal
and equitable means in our power, the speed
amelioration OF our condition as an over
taxed people, and relief from the ouerOus bur
imposed upon us by the non-performance
Of duty on the part of our public officials.
NAME. H.
This organization shall be known as the cit
Reform Association.
art OFFICERS.
ms officers of the "Citizens Reform Asso-
shall consist OF a President, two Vice
g s%inc,ed IT'S ana 9nu k y afeaiioTer ~no R snaII oe
seven Trustees, 10 be known as the Executive
who shall be appointed by the
ana a Secretary, VINO snail be elect
Vice-Presidents and Executive Committee,
which officers shall constitute a perma-
Board, to meet monthly, or at such
,alled meetings as the good OF the Association
iball be deemed necessary.
DUTIES OF OFFICERS.
1t shall be the duty of the President to pre-
tide at all meetings, and in business-like
manner TO perform the functions
IN a presiding officer, and in a general man
her to supervise the actions of the Secretary
md Executive COMMITTEES.
1t shall be the duty of the Vice-Presidents
N the absence of the President TO occupy his
and perform his duty.
1t shall be the duty Of the Treasurer 10 re-
,eive and disburse all moneys belonging to
he Association, as in hereafter to be
determined, and he shall further be COM
yelled to give good and sufficient bond in the
OF twenty thousand dollars.
1t shall be the duty of the Secretary to keep
record OF all meetings, and to carry out TO
he letter the instructions of the Board of
officials.
nittee TO furnish sufficient funds for the as
by such ways and means as may be
upon, and to attend to all other du-
les that may be necessary to further the in
erestS of the association. ~
ELIGIBILITY TO MEMBERSHIP.
Every man who pays taxes or who has the
of the community at heart, and who
alues the name and reputation of n good
ltizen, shall be eligible to membership In
his association.
Nj. Parker said that they were merely
of a constitution, suggestions
hat might be elaborated and matured
t leisure.
A CLASS MOVEMENT.
Two motions were made at once; one,
adopt the paper as the sentiment of
he meeting; the other. to refer it back
D the committee and allow the gentle
nen longer time to fix it up themselves.
At this point Mr.. Estes said that he did
ot approve of the paper at all. He
TOuld not open his mouth in thesmeet-
lg, but he felt that the adoption of such
course as that proposed in the report
TOuld be ruinOus to the interest of every
ne who sought reform. The heavy
ystem of taxation under which they
was a calamity which should
rouse the cutlery and indignation of
very citizen, and would very soon
rove disastrous, if effective measures
,ere not adopted to stop it. The ques-
on now is: What is best to be done i'm
to achieve that end, what course
ught we to pursue in order to secure
le best interests of the people of this
Ommunity? This, if carried out, would
last our hopes; it would be Immediately
enounced as . class movement and