Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1874-04-15
THE AFTER DISCUSSION.

Overton Hotel project. Economy seem
to have been the ruling idea, but tn
cheapest things often prove dear in tn
end. The Avalanche of this mornin
asserts that " the opponents of this pro
feet exhausted their best efforts, bu
have failed to give substantial reason
against the purchase" also that it i
approved by an overwhelming majorit,
of the people. This latter may be SO
we have not taken q census of the peo
pie, and, therefore, only know the opin
ion of few on either side, but in the
speeches made by Mr.. Kortrecht, Judge
Pierce, Captain Lenow, Mr.. Martin and
~pthers before the court yesterday, we
thought It was plain enough that the
question had two well defined sides,
We are aware that some citizens in the
northern end Of the city favored the
purchase on the ground that it would
ne a benefit to their busiaess and prop
erty. In this respect we fear they will
find themselves greatly mistaken. What
business interest, except one or two
saloons, has grown up or been benefited
around the present courthouse on the
corner of Union and Second streetsH
Business has of late years grown up
considerable on Union street, west OF
Main, but this is an outgrowth from
Front and Shelby streets, and in no way
fostered or affected by the presence OF
the courthouse. Nor has the neighbor-
hood filed up with lawyers offices, for
these are mostly to be found on or near
Madison street, the business center Of
the city, and there they will remain, let
the courthouse be located as it will.
Persons who attend courts are not those
who patronize dry goods, grocery or
hardware stores at such times. They
are seldom in the mood to trade when
legal business is on their minds. Under
the present court house there are three
stores, but not sustained and perhaps
but seldom patronized by people about
ths courts. The oTer:cn &c hotel
would be of ten times more value to the
neighborhood than as courthouse, for
the guests, many of them, are from a
distance, and continually patronize TO
more or less extent the stores and
shops in the vicinity. Property will
rot 20 up around the Overton when it
becomes a court house, because there
will be but little if any perceptible de-
mand for it. The few lawyers that
may want offices there will Of course
rent rooms in the upper part
of the building, and ride up and
down in an elevator at pleasure.
The benefit to the neighborhood, we ven
tire to say, will scarcely be felt the dis
lance of a square. AS to the matter Of
convenience, it will do very well. 1t is
accessible from all quarters, and in that
respect, perhaps, suits the largest mum
Der of people as well as any other place.
The money to be spent in the purchase
of the building goes into the hands of q
few who are but too glad to get this ele
phant off their hands; whereas the cree
tion of a suitable building in Market
Square, to which title could be secured
with the consent of the city, would have
distributed the money among the people
Who need it most = the mechanics
and laborers who are almost idle
for want Of work. Labor is com
paratively cheap now, and SO II
building material Of every description
A contract could have been made OF
highly advantageous terms for building
a new and commodious courthouse
The 100000 to be expended on thi
ungainly old structure would put up
tasteful and elegant bnil8ing adapted Il
the purpose, and one to which our peo
pie could point with pride and pleasure
It's a well known fact that one corne
Of the hotel has been giving way, an'
that some Of the boarders were afraid o
II long ago. This was a subject Of re
mark in the neighborhood years ago
After further inquiry among propert,
holders, We are now satisfied that tn
county could not possibly sell the prop
erty for $4,000 at auction or at privat
sale. The County Court is distinguishe,
for economy, but we fear that in this mat
ter they have missed it sadly in desir
10 secure a low-priced article. 1t
quite true that any location whAtevs
would be opposed BY somebody. III
old Guyoso House was proposed
spoken Of This is an absurdity nc
worth considering. Every one can DO
- IL -. annhl not that fL