Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1872-12-04
NEW COURTHOUSE.

Since the fire under our socaiieu
courthouse, last Sunday night, when the
most important records Of the county
narrowly escaped destruction, we have
mingled more or less with the people,
and have heard one expression from all,
and that is in favor OF the erection Of a
respectable courthouse. The great want
Of one has long been felt, but the inci'1
dent of Sunday night, which happens to
he the third or fourth Of the kind, has
set the people to thinking, and some
valuable suggestions have been made as
to the manner and locality of building
required. Many Of our most intelligent
citizens would favor the bluff, in front
of Madison street, as a suitable place.
This ground was given to the city for
mark when it was not worth as much
per acre as it is now per foot,
but the emergencies Of q great
and growing city would justify the au-
thorities in converting the park into
site for public building. The ground
is vested in the city, and while the cor
poration might not technically have q
right to use it for anything else than a
park could not the county possess itselfof
the ground under lease, and paythe city
a nominal sum in returnp This question
would be certain to arise, but it is be-
lieved would not be serious obstacle.
The Jail, which is our finest public build
ings, o real comfortable place, is on
Front street, and the court house, a few
squares below, on or near the same line,
would seem to be in the right place to
perfect harmonious arrangement, and
TO suit the convenience of all classes
AS it is, the unsightly bluffs resemble a
wagon yard much more than city park,
and present anything but an attractive
view TO the stranger. In building of
proper size all the courts and all the
county Offices could be concentrated and
SO arranged as to relieve the public OF
.be great inconvenience which now ex-
lists. This is subject in which every
property-holder is directly interested;
for if the record of deeds were lost, whe
could maintain or make a good title to a
n;ece of land. or recover debt secured
by mortgage? In all probability only
small per cent. of those who have here.
tofore felt perfectly secure. A suitable
court house need not cost more than our
iaiI should have cost. ssy S250,00O, and
it can be built without levying direct
tax at once. Court house bonds could
be issued, payable at ten years, and at
that time the principal could be retired,
doubtless, without grievSuE taxation.
Meantime let the taxes for other county
purposes be cut down to the lowest pos
sible figure. IL has been q standing
complaint with the people of Shelby
county that they could not see anything
for their money paid as taxes. Let them
build a court house, and then they will
see something for their money that will
be a pride and satisfaction, Nearly
every little town in West Tennessee has
a good court house in square standing
of to itself, and entirely disconnected
from oil stores, lumber yards and other
eombustible features which now consii-
tute part Of our cheap, maks-ahift of
a court house. We hope that the Quar-
terly Court will consider this question
at the January term, and take such steps
as they may find advisable to meet the
emergency.