Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1874-11-18

prisons our shame. We must supper
the former that thelstter may not exist
With this exOrdium we introduce
to our readers the following, from cor
respondents and others, bearing directl,
upon the subject which the APPEAL hs
urged upon the attention Of the public
and which il will continue to urge unit
all objections are waived and the schools
OF Memphis have no longer an assailant
The city schools.
The Evening Ledger, generally spir'
tied and spunky in its advocacy OF meas
ures that are calculated "for the greatest
good to the greatest number, " In its issue
Of yesterday says:
1.-THE school question is beginning tc
OCCUPY considerable public attention IN
the city. It's very evident to those who
are familiar with the facts that DELHI
crate scheme has been set on foot 10
break I'D our excellent system of city
schools. In due time its authors will be
exposed. They can neither hide their
| heads or their purposes. We shall have
something to say on this subject at the
proper time, possibly at very early
| day, and shall spare no one who entered
into this piece of business either openly
or disguised. 1t seems beyond belief al
most that while other cities, such as
| Louisville, Cincinnati, Boston, San
] Francisco, Nashville and other live
| places are united in the support OF
schools fully up to thesdemands OF the
/ times. little ring is found in Memphis
anxious to undoall that has been accom-
plished toward establishing first-class
schools. They take refuge behind the
weakest technicslities, and some favor
| the new "dark-lantern" movement
against popular intelligence who do not
/ care 10 avow their intentions. The best
interests OF Memphis are imperiled by 8
movement in the guise OF lawsuits to
stop the collection OF the school tax.
People who feel at all interested would
do well to look into this matter, and see
exactly who il is that desires to break
down such an educational system and
ascertain il it cannot be successfully de-
Tended against all attacks. The most
civilized and refined people are those
who comprehend the advantages OF
public schools and cheerfully yield the
necessary support. Tennessee has been
disgraced enough already in the annals
OF illiterscy, and now that = system has
been started that initiates the better
| features Of those in older and weather.
| States, let US maintain it, and at the
same time maintain our self-respect.
/ IF the city resists these suits with due
diligence and in good faith, we have
reason to believe that the impending
calamity may be averted, and our pub
/ lie schools sustained as the pride and
glory of the city"
Mr.. Daniels interviewed.
Our reporter yesterday called upon
and interviewed Mr.. Daniels, president
of the State national bank, with the fol-
lowing result:
RepOrter-Mr. Daniels, have come to
interview you.
Mr.. Dsniels-Well, sir, am a poor
hand.
Reporter-What do you think fair
salary for bank president?
Mr.. Daniels-A fair salary?
RepOrteT-Yes, sir.
Mr.. Daniels-That's too general q
question.
Reporter-Wen, for bank president
in Memphis?
Mr.. DanieIs-well, 1 should think
from fouC thousand to six thousand dol
lars per annum, proportioned to the
responsibility and duties of the position,
a. well IS his personal influence and the
extent Of the business Of the bank Of
which the officer is president. do not
think that any bank in town, or any
that could be established here, could do
justice 10 its shareholders in paying a
greater salary than that.
Reporter-What is fair salary for a
cashier of bank?
Mr.. Daniels-It should be but little
below that of the president.
Reporter-Whst is fair salary for 8
teller?
Mr.. Daniels Well, from two to three
thousand dollars per snnum, proper
toned to his facility for discharging the
duties of his position, the daily amount
of money he handled, the extent Of the
bond required by the board of directors
OF the bans for his fidelity in Office aud
accounting for all things of value COM
ing into his possession. Some boards Of
directors divest their tellers Of personal
responsibility for discrepancies in their
teller5' cash; other boards hold their
telleTs to a strict accountability.
Reporter-Well, now, since you have
answered these questions, will you tell
me what you consider a fair salary for
a superintendent of city schools having
the management Of siXty-fOur teachers
and three thousand two hundred pupils.
Mr.. Dsniels-If the superintendent is
eminently qualified, both by his COM
potency as a teacher, as disciplinsrian,
and knowledge in, and aptitude for,
the management OF teachers, he-should
receive a most liberal compensation. 1
would say that any superintendent pos
sessing all the qualifications for his
Office, together with ennobling and in-
spring christian virtues, and if he were
faithful to his Office, his compensation
should be three thousand to three thou
sand five hundred dollars. This salary,
however, should carry with it a man Of
eminent fitness.
our city School System.
EDITORS APPEAL-The recent COM
municatiOns Of City Attorney Hanson,
Mayor League and Mr.. Kortrecht, presi-
dent Of the school board, upon the SUBJ
ject Of our city schools have excited uni
versal interest in all thoughtful minds.
Many OF our best people believe there
are serious abuses and great and uDneces-
ssry eEtravagsnce in the system, and
that sweeping changes should be made.
The people Of Memphis grOan under
the burdens of a government so COM
pick and oppressive that rapid confisca-
ton and ruin stare them In the face. In
July last the county tax-collector sold
ten millions of real estate for non-pay-
ment o. taxes, and the city tax-collectOr
sold perhaps as much more. The city
debt is about four million five hundred
thousand dollars, the county debt prob
ably five hundred thousand dollars-say
in round numbers five millions Of dol
lsrs. We have q clumsy city govern
ment Of a mayor and thirty al
dermen and counclmeQ, surround
ed by a great retinue OF officials
and taX-gstherers. We have a.
county government OF thirty-six magis-
trates, with another swarm Of officials
and tax gatherers so numerous that the
taxpayer scarcely knows when he is
done paying taxes; we have a county
court, a probate court, a criminal court,
q recorders court, two chancery courts
and three circuit courts, with their cum
beTsOme jUry-systems, consuming the
time and the substance Of the people;
we have a State system Of public
schools under county superiniendents,
and added to all this, we have school
board Of twenty members for the city
an independent corporation with life for
ninety-nine years-with almost absolute
powers, including the taxing power Of
not less than one hundred thousand dol
lars per annum, besides five hundred
Thousand dollars for building purposes;
business Of every kind languishes, peo-
Die are fleeing from 8 city cursed with
TOO much government, and remorse-
less taxation, and houses for rent
are found at every turn. In the
midst OF all this misery and ruin, this
imperial corporation, the city school
hoard demands OF the city, 50
stated by Attorney Hanson, one
hundred and ninefy-fouF thousand
dollsrs for building and school
purposes; and Superintendent Pickett
con placently tells Us Of buildings erect