Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1874-02-05


the present term OF the supreme court, at
Washington. william NJ. Randolph, ESQ,
late city attorney, has at length consented 10
assist the counsel already employed at Wash
ington to defend the city interest This
is, OF course, a cause OF qualification to all our
citizens; Especially must it be so, on account
from the commencement. In the meantime
the mandate of the United States court Is be-
ing strictly obeyed. Three competent clerks
are employed In preparing the tax books, and
in the meantime the collector will receive the
NicOlson pavement tax when he collects the
taxes for other purposes. In round numbers
the city admits that she owes $40 600, whilst
MeSSrS. Brown & Co. claim $4,000. Neither
amounts are taken Into account in the float
ing Indebtedness. The sanitary condition OF
the city Will require your immediate action;
since the beginning OF the present year COM
cleaning the paved streets and alleys, and the
time is now for action to place the
city in good condition for the coming season,
large sums of money must necessarily be ex-
pended in this way, and also in repairing the
now almost decayed wooden pavement, or
paving anew with some kind of fubstantial
material. The general health Of the citizens
sincesthe departure OF the yellow-iever has
been excellent, and, with ordinary care, there
is no good reason why 1t should not remain
so. L shall be happy 10 cooperate with you
in carrying out any measure which promises
10 protect the health of our citizens. The
great increase in the expense of lighting the
streets demands yonr careful attention. II
this increase Is OWN to the unwarrantable
exactions OF monopoltes, 1t should be resisted,
that the company, for the privileges
granted to 1t, should be willing to furnish gas
for city purposes at price returning mod
dissatisfaction in the community on this sub
ject; but we should not hesitate to apply the
remedy. The cost of gasli yht and lamps in
1870 was S2o,s82 81; il 1873 it was sS4,6lO ii.
Comment is unnecessary.
The condition OF our public landing will
properly occupy your attention, and receive
due consideration. The thousands OF dollars
heretofore expended In paving the levee viii
ere long be forever lost. The csving in of the
unless immediate action is had by the city the
loss Will be very great. The wharfage rates
esTss 6sYe iast i9F s4evspes msny ssIbo.
men. The revenue from Wharfage should not
exceed the actual amount needed to keep the
should be expended on our landing 1t is
difficult TO conceive why an onerous and al !
most prohibitory tax should be Imposed on
steamboats, floating on the Father Of Waters
Tor the mere privilege OF calling at our land
ing, leaving with us what we want, or calling I
for the purpose OF conveying nom our city /
the people OF the surrounding country.
NJ ight we net as consistently collect q tax on /
every railroad train coming into our city?
Gentlemen, you viii be called upon to levy |
and collect taxes for educational purposes. |
In doing so, let IL be remembered thai nothing /
citizens, the increase of population and |
and wealth, than the acquisition OF knowl- |
edge. The friends of education land who is |
>
enjoying rare opportunities for the disseIni- |
nation OF useful knowledge through the |
agency OF our public schools, colleges, and |
According to the last assessment, the value |
of real estate and Improvements in the eight /
original wards was 81 80, 500; and in the two /
new wards, 81 ,926,475i the personal property, /
s I,91S99I; total, 81, ,2l7 969 II we consider the
price fixed upon real estate by holders when |
about TO sell 1t; this assessment might very /
The rate OF taxation at present is for gen.
eral purposeS-one per cent. interest, one per /
per cent. schools, thirty cents on each one /
hundred dollars and sinking fund twenty /
ents; NicOlson pavement one dollar and /
forty cents; Mississippi River railroad tax,
ten cents in the old wards; in the new linn
its general tax one dollar, interest tax fifty
cents, schools thirty cents, sinking fund ten
cents, mississippi River railroad tax ten cents
on each one hundred dollars worth OF
taxable property, making a total for the orig
inal wards of four dollars, and in the
new wards three dollars and forty
cents on each one hundred dollars. To this
must be added an additional tax TO meet the
Judgments already decreed and just now held
men TO raise the money.
The last, but by no means the least important
matter to which beg to call your attention, !
g the urgent necessity OF procuring imme-
iiately a workhouse for criminals, aud a
house OF correction for Juveniles. When
2 isl Ieiib must si be imposed, let
condition of the unfortunate law-breaker:
IN the other hand let us show by our course
udt vice anu crime III every cOnrelNaoI9
orm VIII meet with proper punishment, that
he life and property of the citizen shall be
protected, cost what it may, and law breakers
punished.
In conclusion, gentlemen, let us bear IN
mind that we should use our best efforts to |
greater simplicity in our municipal govern
nent; greater economy in its administra-
ion; the cutting on OF useless expenditures |
n all directions; & stop to all projects involY-
ng an increase OF our permanent indebted
ness, with little or no public benefit; no
moneys TO be paid without fair equivalent
no salaries without services rem
1ered; no gifts or presents OF any kind |
under any pretence, to be received by
any ofneiai OF the city; a thorough accounta-
Dtlity for every cent of revenue belonging to
reaches the city treasury. AS one OF the gem
eral issues now before us, fully recognize the
duty OF proclaiming no more bondS-no fur
Jher increase OF the city s permanent tndebt-
ednesS. Let US stop and pay. The people re-
lulre rest-breathtng time to recover from the
exhaustion resulting from our past mode of
doing business. You may rely upon my ear
nest cooperation With your honorable body in
All measures, which shall prevent the further
Increase Of debt, and yet still do all that may
nent of our fair city, and thus lay
he foundation for the accomplish
nent OF what We all desire
5he growth prosperity and happiness OF our
city and her people.
In conclusion, gentlemen, permit me to ss-
sure you of my earnest desire TO work in ac-
cord with you, for the best interests of the
,ity; and, by faithful adherence to an hon
sst administration OF our government, may we
not hope for the Divine favor, the reward OF
consciousness OF duties well performed, and
he appreciation of those who have devolYed
'uch important trusts upon US.
JOHN LOAGUE, Mayor.
February 4, 1874.