Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1872-05-18

a tAAduSLAlA u hLlGL llG IL RuIQI12 Us.
To the oppressed, his strength gradually
draining to the oppressOr, there is no
better time to strike than now. s..
A Wan Of Common Sense Rises to Ex-
plain.
EDITORS APPEAL-The greatest mis-
take of the Grand Jury, in my estima-
ton, is the idea conveyed in their report
that the " County Court had failed to
" maker wholesome laws, instead of dd-
BliniSteTinQ them. True, they don't as
sert that as being their idea, but such a
view is reflected. The County Court
has very little legislative capacity, per
haps as little of judicial, and is almost
entirely a ministerial body. They en-
body both legislative and judicial, but
to a very limited degree. Moreover il
should be considered that the Justices
Of the Peace are not Learned in the
law and their proceedings are by
authority of the Legislature, and con-
structions Of the superior courts " to be
literally construed
confession GOOD FOR THE SOUL.
That the County Court, as such, have
committed some very grave errors there
is no doubt, as for instance, the apprO-
priatiOn of two thousand dollars per an
mum extra pay TO the Judges of the va
rious courts, after they had been
" elected and qualified and their sala-
ry previously fixed by law" There is
some excuse for this, however, for while
each Of the Judges gave it their coUn-
tenance by asking it, at least a dozen of
the very first lawyers of Memphis,
many of whom had held exalted Judi
ciaI positions in this and other States,
came before the court and announced it
as their solemn and fixed legal opinion
that the court had the right, as well as
that it was amatter of economy to do so.
THE BNOCENTs!!
Then, being convinced Of their powers
in relation to the salaries of Judges, by
such high legal authority, it is certainly
not strange that they should conclude
similarly in regard to the modest sum of
five dollars per day for themselves-and
right here 1 would suggest that when
the next "Grand Juryn take into con-
sideratiOn the matter of the 4" Justices of
the Peace receiving money unlawfully, |
that they extend to the learned Judge |
also a share of their attention, and letus
see whether the weak and fowly shall
suffer the consequences of ignorance and
bad influences, and the high and the
be passed in ~quieseence.
WELL PUT, AND THERE'S SENSE IN IT.
1 don't wish it understood, Mr.. Editor,
that l am opposed to the additional sal
airy to Judges, except Is a matter of law. |
think that public justice, public policy
and public economy all require that
those officers should be well paid; not
because they work harder than other
professions or laborers, but matters af
the rights and liberties as well as
the life of the citizen should be placed in
the hands of none but those who are
- honest and competent and a
premium should always by offered
by way of a handsome salary to induce
the very best men to seek and accept
those important positions, thereby ex-
Guiding ignorance and vice.
CAUGHT MAPPING.
In regard to the excessive tax levied
for 1871, under which the "tax-paying
now groan, / viii say that the
rate was fixed at the earnest request and
solicitation Of a committee of tax
citizens" among when were
William b. Greenlaw, William NJ. Far
Edgar McDavitt, Samuel
b. a. Partee, Amos Woodruff,
and others, who conferred with a COM
from the County Court and
said committee of "tax-Paying citizensD
liked every item of taxation for the
year 1871, both general and Specialize
County Court assessed it.
SENSIBLE TO THE LAST.
But, Mr.. Editor, allow me to suggest :
/ remedy for all the evils complained Of
~ the late Grand Jury. 1t is very sim
pie and infslihle. Let each of the "tax-
citizens" turn out at u next
meetings and vote for men TO
'epresent them in the convention to
county and State officers; let
hem choose such men as viii represent ]
heir interests and their rights faithfully;
when they have performed their duties 4
$ delegates, and made nominations, let
hose same ''tax-paying citizens" every {
n~other'sson Of them, L
GO no THE POLLS AND VOTE {
Or members of the Legislature who l
ROW our necessities and how to pro- !
Idle the legal remedies for them; for :
Judges who know how to construe the =
wv once it is made; for sheriffs who
now bow and are willing to execute it;
1r tax-collectors who viii diligently
ollect and faithfully pay over the pub D
e moneys; for members ofthe HCounty 0
curt" who are able and willing to per t
DFm their duties In short, for all Off C
ers for which the law provides on the c
asis of merit alone, regardless whether r
ney bear the sobriquet of "Maior," or t
Colonel" or General, = or are known b
My as plain John Smith, and lex t
use me, Mr.. Editor let the newspapers s
praising men when they fall any, b
avs short OF their duty, and especially p
T excusing misconduct because COM c
lifted by a political war-horse,D IA il
entleman of respectable connections d
I enc who wields public patronage t
JUST $ o
If The " Citizen Tax-Payers" viii in Z
agurate the suggestions above thrown =
II. and the press VIII assist them in fur 2
lering the good work, i am confident r
,at many on-tax-payers will come to :
lair support; and when Greeley and
rown are elected, we win have a gov @
Federal, State, county and
lunicipal, originating in Justice, CON-
acted with integrity, and carried on q
ith economy, rejecting credit OF those Z
no administer it, and shswering its 3
.essings on all alike. yERITAs. IN
MEMPHIS, May 10, 1Sz2. 3Is {,
FTff BAG W i'd
Harbour lewis and w. X. Moore.
EDrroRs APPEAEEn your so-caned I
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