Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1873-12-03
MAYOR John JOHNSON

As the second term oil TINS gentleman
draws TO n close, and he does not desire
to be reelected, we may with propriety
allude to his administration. His public
career began four years ago, when he
was nominated as compromise eandi'
date for Mayor at regular Democratic
Convention called by the County Execu-
tive Committee in the absence OF any
other recognized authority. Hewas not
a uolitician, or even known as Demo
orat so closely had he attended 10 his
nrivate business When elected and IN
stalled it soon became apparent that he
was made Of hard metal, and could not
he controlled by any outside influence,
marty, ring or personal friends, except
when in accordance with his sense OF
duty. The affairs Of the city we're in
state of confusion which few men could
have reduced so soon to order and a
smooth working system, but he was mas
ter of the situation, as far as the law
gave him power, and made the very best
of all his resources. Two years ago he
was reelected without any trouble,
being brought out by call OF one hun
dred and FIVE citizens. taken up by the
people and elected triumphantly From
his failure to reward certain volun-
tary adherents, or other reasons less
understood he became the subject OF
much criticism, and even abuse, which
he never answered by word or act. de
moved along in the even tenor of his
way as calmly as il his detractors had
been singing peans of praise to his
name. His enemies even went so lar
as to charge him with corruption in
office and brought him TO trial before
the General Council. The prosecution
was pressed with much show OF feeling
and animosity, and sustained by some
what significant minority report; yet 1t
fell through, and the Mayor was legally
and morally indicated. His admins
,ration has been characterized by re-
markabIe firmness, GOODNESS OF Judg-
ment, vigor and sagacity. That he has
not made more public improvements
and suggested greater schemes to pro-
mote the prosperity and renown OF the
CITY has been simply because he was
practical man. He found the city mis-
erably in debt and without available re-
sources, nor could these be at once pro-
vided All the misfortunes and evils
Of the eity-hard tim es, low credit,
sickness, dull trade, rowdyism, the epi-
zootic and what not-were laid at nus
door. No man has been better abused
since the paImy days of that truly
Christian gentleman, Mr.. Barbour
Lewis. and no man ever stood it better
or retired from perplexing and thank
less Office more highly respected by the
community. His integrity, capacity and
administrative ability are abovequestop.
During the late epidemic Mr.. Johnson
practical charity, large sympathy and
good works endeared him to the people
az never before. In his quiet, unosten-
tatious way he devoted bis services to
the sick and dying by day Aad plght.
He visited hundreds of poor people aud
ministered 10 the wants of many long
before the noble Howard Association had
organized its forces or received sqeh
liberal aid from abroad. For several
weeks he was constantly exposed IN the
worst infected districts, aud finally had
a violent attack OF the yellow fever,
from which he barely escaped with his
sife under the most careful and skillfnl
treatment. His worth is fully UNDER
stood by all the masses, aud even the
voice OF ealumny is no longer heard
Had he consented to be a candidate for
a third term, there is little doubt that be
NO1lu nave DOoh Soeii5 SsS~sCet
decided otherwise, aud in retiring from
the chief magistraey Of the city, the peo-
ole will, with almost one accord, ex-
claim "Well done, good and faithful
public servant" Time works wonder
fal changes, as We could illustrate by
more than o1e man who hiss bssh be-
fore the Memphis public within the lass
few years.
THE PRRsIDKET's MESSAGE.
q ID l. l. L l. L.