Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1873-12-09
THE MUNICIPAL SITUATION.

Another Richmond is in the field, Thu
Republicans Of the city nominated Mr.
John League for Mayor last night, an'
mt out candidates for the minor offices
10 be filled by the people. As everybody
seemed TO know who would compose the
ticket, the result is not matter OF sur
prise. Ii was strict party nomination
and whether acceptable to Republicans
or otherwise, we do not care to inquire.
That is their business. Butt is ours, as
journalists. to inquire whether majority
ofthe voters ofMemphis admit that there
is any necessity for placing the fortunes
of the city in the hands Of parties, or
little seIf.constituted rings. The inter
nal management of the Republican party
happens TO be no concern Of ours, but we
have a right to discuss the relative
merits of party and ring nominations
and shall not shrink from discharge OF
our duty, any more than be forced TO IN
consistently take sides. In this matter we
have discussed only the means adopted to
bring out candidates and torestall a fair
expression Of the people at the ballot
box. If the contest should narrow down
merely to two men, we can discuss them
ut later day in the canvass. There
was considerable enthusiasm at the
meeting last night, as usual when the
members of that party meet to confer
the honors of Office or nomination upon
their leaders. 1t was said to resemble
the meetings addressed on the bluff
few years ago by that Christian states
mau and gentleman, Hon. Barbour
Lewis, whose letter somehow was not
read to the anxious crowd. The Impair
tial reports of the morning papers
indicate, however. that good order pre-
vailed, and that the work mapped out
beforehand, that Of rstifying the nomi-
nations made recently at a meeting OF 0
few of our German fellow-citizens, was
done promptly and we'll. If no more
candidates are to appear, the people can
now take their choice. but there is no
hurry aboutit. Our citizens feel like non-
sulting together and considering what is
best TO be done. We are aware that
many expect another candidate to be
brought out who will answer the popu-
lar demand for a man of nerve, capacity,
independence and personal freedom OF
opinion and action. In this they may
not be disappointed. There are one or
two available aad popular men who
might be induced to rHn. though we are
not authorized to speak for them any
more than mass meetings sFe to
commit people who quietly remain at
home. But we believe that some men
scarcely spoken Of heretofore as posi-
BILE candidates possess the latent ele-
ments of strength SO essential to sue
cess in an election as we'll as compe-
tency in Office. There is a lukewarm
class of taxpayers who will not proba-
bly, become greatly eRthnsed while only
the present candidates are in the field,
yet who, under other circumstances,
would take lively interest. They are
partly the men who are respondent
about the future of Memphis, and see no
prospect of an improvement in her mu
nicipal affairs. When asked under
which king, Bezonian2" they say ex-
cuse me from taking service with either.
The friends of Major Busby are doubt
less in earnest when they assert their
unsel6sh and overwhelming interest in
the future of Memphis They are, as far
as we know of, right Grst-class gentle
men, whose crowning virtue is fidelity to
friend ia the hour of need. But we
will say TO them, in all candor, that il
they are more interested 10 Mr. League
defeat than in Major Busby's personal
success, they will have to withdraw their
favorite from the canvass and mite with !
other elements in bringing out en- iHyol-
untary candidate stronger man. We
have shewn ia time that the League |
movement is a strong one--one which |
it is unnecessary to say we do not sup |
port, but at the same time do not under
rate. The Republican party is about
equal in strength in fair test to the
combined opposition, and under present
Mr.. League is not weaker
than his party. If elected he will have
to greatly thank the mismauagement Of
his opponents.