Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1873-11-07
MAYORS OFFICE. Cry HAL. ~. !

| MAYOR s OFFICE, CITY HALL, |
| MEMPHIS November s. 1873.
| To the Honorable the General Council of the
City of Menu his;
GESrLEMEN-Most heartily thankful should
we be TO a kind and merciful Providence that
wo are again allowed to meet in regular ses-
sion, and that not one of our number has fallen
BY the terrible pcstilehce which has so fear
| fully ravaged our city since our last meeting.
during which time so many worthy citizens
and city officers have fallen victims TO the fell
destroyer. Included in the number is our most
worthy Register, Lewis Il. Richards. who for
nearly twenty-five years has filled the position
with the highest credit to himself and TO the
best interest of the city. as is so thoroughly
shown by the confidence reposed in him by SO
many successive administrations. He fell at
his post. faithful in duty to the last, and,
though 76 years Of age, and sorely afflicted
with rheumatism, he was constant and active
in his attention, and most liberal in his. char
tiles to the sick and suffering. Of him II can
truly be said. None knew him but to love
him, none named him but to praise"
To all the officers Immediately connected
with my office, / return my most hearty thanks.
and have TO express my highest commenda-
ton of their faithful and unselhsh conduct,
ever promptly and cheerfully performing
every additional duty devolved on them by
me, as caused by the death or absence of OIL
GERS. Mr. Schaper, Controller. besides
keeping up the business of his ewn office and
rendering other valuable aid. has been acting
as Tax Collector, to which appointed him,
Robertson and his clerks. Mr. boy, by
my appointment, filed the office Of clerk in
the same office. and has faithfully and, eff
GENTLY performed all the duties incumbent,
ably assisted by Mr. VIM b Cullen, the only
official in that department who remained on
duty, which he continued 20 perform during
the epidemic, as he had always previously, IN
n thorough and efficient manner. in addition
to which he has largely aided and fearlessly
tended the sick.
70 Captain A J Murray, Assistant Engi-
neer. am under special obligations for the
very active and efficient services in his depart
ment, also in experimenting the work on the
City Hospital buildings and ground. and
looking after the sick and suffering Of his
men.
Captain A r Droesher, Sergeaut-at-Arms,
is also entitled to grateful mentien for faith
fully remaining in charge of the City Hall.
situated as it is in the heart of the district
worst infected, and for the prompt manner IN
which he removed to. the City Hospital all
cases of fever reported to him. haying fire.
auently to assist in carrying yellow fever
patients out of their rooms to the ambulence,
ne one else being willing to assist In SO dlsa1
greeable and so dangerous work. as many of
the sick had TO be taken from the very worst
places Of infection.
In the Pelice Department every officer and
every man, with the exception Of two, re-
posed in them and to the arduous duties i'm
posed. The fact that thirty out Of n force OF
fifty were taken sick with the fever, Of whom |
ten died. shows yeFy ioIeloiy ne Tlshs that
heroically, dared in the execution Of their |
duty.
We have also lost four men of the brave and |
good of our faithful and efficient Fire Depart |
ment. every man ofwhich, with the exception |
of one, until stricken down by the fatal dis
ease. sturdily remained at the post Of honor |
as of duty, ready to respond to fire alarm or |
attend at the bedside Of sick or dying COM
rade.
The embarrassed condition Of the city-its
revenue during the epidemic being almost /
entirely cut oh-was peculiarly felt by the
employees on both the FIRE and the police |
forces. they being greatly more than usual
dependent-Owing TO entire stOppage Of all
other income-on their pay from the city for
the daily living Of themselves and families.
II needed, however, but that this state of
things should be known TO the Police and
Fire Departments Of other cities, for the evil |
to be iemedied. / take this opportunity Of |
most heartily thanking tho Fire and Police
Departments Of those cities for the liberality
and encouragement evinced by monetary aid
and words Of cheer 10 our force. In doing 30
/ feel that but family express the enthusiast
tic sense of brotherhood aroused in the hearts
of our police and fremen, and the chord that
vibrates responsive to the touch Of loving
charity.
The city hospital, under the able manage
ment of DR.. Thornton, has done good service
during this epidemic, and. considering the
condition Of most Of the patients received
there, the mortality has not been above the
average Of such institutions. Since the re-
mOvai Of all smallpox from there on the lst
Of May last TO the county pest house, and as
no more cases Of that disease are to be admit
ted, with the three new wards for males,
built during the year, and one old one re-
paired, u one additional be now built for fe-
males. the accommodations will be very good.
and ample TO answer for some years, with the
exception Of a large brick central building
for Offices, with, Il. thought best, a female
ward IN the second story.
Ny health viii not yet allow me more than
briefly 70 call your attention to a few matters
requiring your attention.
First, in view that the volunteer orRanira-
tons which have worked 90 faithfully and
eifectually in nursing the sick, and taking
care Of the suffering, will soon, Of necessity.
disband, and those composing them will have
10 return to their different avocatiOns, and
cannot be expected 20 give much more Of
their time, now that the great battle has been
fOurht, I recommend that, under your direc-
ions q thorough registration Of al the poor
-rnuirinr assistance be made Immediately By !
nan Maid 70 perform the duty and that a ]
1ronerly ORGANIZED system II relief be adopt- !
II. either 81 giving The parties money direct
rom The funds remaining on hand for that ,
1urpose. or else b. purchasing and furnish /
nF them with supplies 81 may Be BY you
1 ai1o rne.commsnd thata complete history ]
II the great epidemic Be complied and pub
ishcd under ycur dircctionf; that All the 80 |
.ieties he invited % furnish copies Of their /
Icts an1 dcinrs, embracing All contrl bunens I
-eccired. Of whom received, and how dis I
lursed- ty each respectively. Lhn think
- - - - ~ r-..I