Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1874-11-11
LETTERS FROM THE PEOPLE.


petbaggers. Now fer the farmers vic
tory. Much wheat and rye have been
sown, which will make living cheaper,
and that will bring population. Let ev-
cry farmer commence now for the next
crop, while he has nothing to do. The
| fences can now be repaired. The land
can be broken up deep for another crop.
This is the first year for a long time
| that the farmer had time for fall plow-
/ ing. The teams are strong now, and
the weather pleasant, and if the farmers
will do their duty, what a magnificent
victory. JOHN BROWN.
MEMPHIS, TENN, November 9, 1874.
Pay the sehOoI-Teaehers.
! EDITORS APPEAL was almost hor-
Tor-struck this morning, when l read in
the APPEAL that the city schools would
probably be closed soon on account of
| lack Of funds to defray current expenses.
In the same issue I notice that a COM
mittee was appointed by the school COM
mittee to wait on the mayor, demanding
of him fifty thousand dollars building
fund-the former intimatiOn and the
latter proceeding not harmoniZing in
my mind. 1t occurs to me at first glance
| that, if we have not money to pay cur
rent xpenses-teachers' salaries, ETC.
we had better wait on the mayor land
/ in this every citizen of Memphis should
constitute himself Committed and de-
mand that the school-fund be made suf-
/ ficient to keep the schools going, and
leave the building matter until such
4 time as the city is better able to fur
nish the funds. know very little about
| the manner in which the funds for
school expenses and building purposes
laua fIa9 Int 81
wanting to build more houses when
there are not funds enough in the treas
ury to occupy those we have already
built, seems perfectly outrageous. Can't
| the APPEAL enlighten the public as to
! why the school-fUnd has not been more
carefully managed? And how this fear
| ful calamity-the most fearful that can
fall upon a community-may be avoid
! ed? wORKINGMAN.
The schools Must Not be Closed.
| EDITORS APPEAL-Your very judi
cinus remarks upon the subject OF the
probable closing of the city schools,
which appeared in the APPEAL this
morning, has attracted much attention
and elected much comment, in which
| the APPEAL is universally Endorsed.
| But / don't believe the public schools
possible. | believe every citizen of
Memphis, without regard to color, con-
ditiOn or sec, win rise in arms against
the closing of the schools. The APPEAL
may safely assure the powers that be
that the citizens of Memphis will favor
the 8bOlishing of every other depart
ment of the city government before the
schools would be given up. We will
submit to a volunteer fire department, a
disarmament Of the police department,
and the enlistment Of every citizen to
do police duty-in fact make any sacri- |
flee rather than see the thousands of
children grow up IL the ignorance con- |
sequent upon the closing of the city
schools. 1t occurs to me that there is q |
screw loose somewhere in the city's ma
chinery. 1t was not long ago l read |
and heard much talk about a great re- |
form movement, in which a reduction |
IF the rate of taxation was the principal |
hobby, by which l was assured that the |
present rate of taxation was greater |
than necessary for all purposes. And |
now, before any such reduction has |
taken place, l am informed that there is |
no money to pay the expenses of the /
city schools. IL appears to me that /
things are mixed. An explanation from |
mayor League IS IN order.
CITY SCHOOL PATRON.
An Old Mans Thought of school.
EDITORS APPEAL-ReinfOrci your
strong and timely editorial on the pub-
lie schools, send you for publication the
inclosed from the pen of man who,
whatever mis- vagaries, is true friend OF
the people. 1t is copied from the New
York World, and is entitled
AN OLD MANS THOUGHT OF SCHOOL.
An Old mans thought of school;
An old man, gathering youthful memories
and blooms, thai youth itself cannot.
Now, only do know you!
o fair aurOral skies! o morning dew upon
the grass!
And these see-these spark ling eyes,
These stores Of mystic meaning-these young
Building, equlppiqg, like feet Of ships-im-
mortal ships!
Soon to sail out over the measureless seas
On the souls voyage.
Only a Iotol boys and girls!
Only the tiresome spelling, writing, cypher-
ing classes?
Only public school?
All more-indniteIy more:
AS George Fox raised his warning cry, ais IL
tins pile OF brick and moTter-these dead
floors, windows, rails-you call the
church, /
Why this is not the church at aIl-the church
is living, ever living souls'D
And you, America.
Cast you the real reckoning for your present?
The lights and shadows Of your future-goOd
or evil?
This Union multiform with all its dazzling
hopes and terrible fears?
Look deeper, nearer, earlier far-provide
ahsad-eounsel in time.
Not to your verdicts of election days-not TO
VOur voters look. /
To girlhOod, boyhood look-the teacher and
WALT WHITMAN.
CAMDEN, N. j., October 81, 1874.
The Memphis ahd Knoxville Railroad.
EDITORS APPEAL have been a
reader of the APPEAL during
the past several years, during which
time have been very much gratified
with the able manner in which it has
sought to advance the public interests,
and particularly in advocating the con-
stTuction of railways and the improve
ment OF the various channels of COM
merce leading to and from your thriv-
ing city. l say thriving because L am
sure that thrift RbOunds where so able q
journal as the APPEAL is sustained. |
write now to call your attention, since j
the political excitement of the past few
weeks has ceased, to the Memphis and
railway, an enterprise that ,
you have ably aided since its first con-
ception. Enough grading has already ,
been done TO insure its final construc-
ton, and If The work can be pushed :
through to Memphis, from Bolivar, :
where the IOadbed has already been con- !
structed from Henderson, the business l.
the road will do will enable it to con- J
tinue the work to the completion of the !
entire line. Mobile and New Orleans,
south, and Louisville, St. Louis, Cincin- :
natl, Chicago, and every other city near :
", north, are fatteniDg on the hardness
Of the communities along the line Of the | (;
Memphis and Knoxville railroad, and l
fear before our eyes can be opened :
TO the fact these cities will =
have fastened upon the trade I;
The Memphis and Knoxville rail-
way viii carry to Memphis, so that the 1
cream will have been skinned before =
Memphis gets ready to commence milk
ng. You promise US that now the great !
political battle is over, you will turn \
your attention to public improvements
and public interests in general, Please
bear in mind that the Memphis and
< Knoxville railway should be the first L
o claim your attention, and urge upon 9
your citizens and the people along the y
inc, whose interests in the matter are :
IDENTICAL, that the earlier this road is 7
the sooner will prosperity be- !.
i'm to shower its blessings in return. e
General Nicely, its able president, has y
accomplished wonders thus far in carry II
ng the work as far as Bolivar; give o
i'm the support OF the old APPEAL and a
ie will do miracles, and carry the II
york right into the Mississippi river at e
Iemphis, and then your people will be- q