Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1874-05-20
rur INSANE Asylum QUEsTIoN.

II was always strange to us that men
Tho set themselves up as public educa-
TORS and leaders in community, espe-
c;allv those who conduct the press, that
,h.v cannot discuss questions upon their
absolute merits without appealing to the
nreiudices of the people. And SO far as
Memphis is concerned, we believe the
nress is as liberal and catholic in spirit
a.auviu the United States. Take, for
instance a subject in which Shelby
county naturally feels more or less lnte-
rest-the location Of the West Tennes-
see Insane Asylum. 1t has been dis
eusssd freeIy, but not at the expense OF
other localities. while on the other hand
some communities that offer sites seem
n think it high-handed piece of Dusi-
ness for Memphis to enter the held OF
fair and favorable competition. We do
not remember to have seen a word
in a Memphis paper at which the
people of any other county could
feel hurt or offended. Yet the pa
pers at Trenton and Humboldt have
teemed with articles written IN
bad temper and worse taste. We DO not
care 10 reproduce any of their flngs
about, yellow fever "cholera'
"foulest city on the Western hemis-
plfere," sweet scented" etc., as we
might from some Of their leading edi-
torials directed against Memphis, for 1t
would be an Improbable and an ungra-
cious task. We are surprised, however,
that such expressions should find place
in the editorials Of leading county pa
pers. These things remind us of the
Brick POmeroy style Of arguing ques-
tons, and are unworthy to come from
such a source. Some of the people Of
West Tennessee happen to reside IN
Shelby eounty-according to the last
census 1878. Some Of these pay some
taxes to the State. A good many Of
them are taxed double because they
live in Memphis, and some Of them think
there are healthy places in Shelby
Ooohty. In this they may be mistaken,
as it is natural for all people to
be partial 70 their own locality,
but the population was only
81, l54 in 1859, and only 564s in 1880.
Some Of the old settlers are alive yet.
We can name several old men who have
lived here fifty years, and who think this
is as healthy q county as any in West
Tennessee, save epidemics which occur
every few years. These, however, have
been confined entirely to the city limits,
and sometimes to certain wards. 1t
is not proposed, il we could secure the
asylum, to locate itin Memphis. Yet, as
far as health is concerned, that would
not be an objection, for no cases Of yell
low fever originated in thejail last fall,
though il contained hundred inmates
and was in the midst Of the infected dis
trict. So much for good sanitary regu-
lations. These papers cannot be I'M
aware Of the fact that the sites spoken Of
In Shelby county are some miles out Of
the city, and that none Of the
epidemics which visited Memphis have
ever spread to the country. Take eur
poor-hOuse for instance, which contains
twenty or thirty Of the insane that can
not be received at Nashville. 1t is four
or Eve miles from the city, is considered
in healthy place and was never visited
by any epidemic. This constant cry Of
yellow fever i unfair aud beneath the
dignity Of an argument. 1t will be con.
ceded by any iair-minded person that
each county has the right to offer site
IS long as the commissioners fail to
agree upon one, and to present its pecu
liar advantages in the best light possible
Shelby county claims this right, but can
not be prevailed upon to enter the srent
of detraction. and il any other count
seeur es the location, all good and we'll.