Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1874-01-02
rHE CITY ELECTION.


The election of Mr.. John League was
almost foregone conclusion, and we
NAV saw gives as much general satisfac-
ton as any municipal election that has
been held here in ten years. Major
Busby is n very worthy citizen, and we
have never in this canvass uttered a
word against him as gentlemen, or
said aueht to hurt the feelings OF his
most ardent friends; but we warned
him and them at the start that he was
carving too great load to be elected.
Yet he permitted his over-zealous friends
10 ruin his prospects by multitude OF
;ndiscretions. not the least of which
vas committed in spirit of dictation,
eouuled with the loud assertion occas-
ionAllv that no gentlemen would votetor
League. Yesterdays vote showed which
was the peoples party, and will teach
seIf.elected leaders that the masses
think for themselves, and that even the
strongest Democrats prefer local Re-
publican success to the rule of cliques.
This conclusion is inevitable. 1t is also
established as fact for whole genera
ton that the people do not care to make
the Memphis riots of 1866 an issue in
municipal elections. They have for
gotten the Bitterness of those unhappy
days, and viii ever be ready
to rebuke the party or men
who revive them. For these grave
mistakes made by Major Busbys parti-
sans he may not have been responsible
but he failed to repudiate them until the
day before the election, when it was too
late. Considering that the weather was
extremely inclement and that on New
Years day our people usually devote
themselves to social reunions with their
neighbors or around their own fresdes,
very full vote was polled. The cleo
ton passed off as the LEDGER pre-
dicted day before yesterday very
quietly. There was no drinking, no
noise or disturbance, and the people,
white and colored, went quietly to the
ballot-box, voted and retired. A iairer
and more significant expression OF the
peoples will was never had at the ballot
box. 1t is vor populi, and the man who
would attempt to thwart the people by a
puerile bubble about the Dlis.spelling of
Mr.. Leagues name will find it an up
hill business. We feel assured that
Major Busby will not countenance any
such thing. Mr.. League is no stranger
to our people; be has been in office fire.
quently, and always made an efficient
officer. AT one time, when taxes
we're outrageously high. he was ex-
ceedingly unpopular, because he in
forced the law rigidly, and he was sub
eoted To q vast amount Of abuse, and
he was annoyed by all manner of law
suits that ongenious counsel could in
vent, but he was never charged with any
malfeasauee or corruption by his most
inveterate enemies. He retired from
the Office of County Court Clerk in 1870,
and made his settlements with the in
coming Democratic State and county
administration. His books at various
times were subjected TO the most rigid |
Investigations, but not flaw was ever
found lie is thorough, safe business
man. While County Court Clerk he was
careful to obtain the best legal advice,
and when once he took a position he held
il with will of iron. We are not in
position perhaps to tender Mr.. League
great deal of good advice, but shall
cave that Office to others who know
hey have the wisdom and the right TO
keep him on the safe track. We be-
however, that he will give the city
cd, fair, economical administration,
and that Memphis under his rule will 60
forward and open up new avenues Of
prosperity and commercial success. 1t
will be in his power to eradicate the
preiudiees of his enemies and to fulfill
he predictions of his friends.
CALEB CUSHING:
A .Lo-t sLatck of this extraordinary