Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1875-09-25
AN AMUSING CONTROVERSY.

About flee Rent-Nno NeWSDOys'
Retreat and an Injunction Bill
Landlord, Tenant and Invited
Guests.
Yesterday no little amusement was
created around the corner of Main and
Madison streets when it was known that
Captain John Lewis, a well known coal
man, who had an office in the Bethel
block, No. 2s7 Main, had invited a num-
Der of LEDGER newsboys to occupy the
Office until the LIST Of January next as
headquarters by day and night, as he
had paid his rent up to that time and
had occasion to leave the city for a
month or so. On the invitation being
extended, conditioned With a tender of
coal during the time, the LEDGER news
boys held q called meeting in Center
alley, adjoining the LEDGER office, and
proceeded in the most parliamentary
way to elect a chairman and a secretary.
The chairman sat on the curbstone and
the secretary took his seat upon the OPP
posite curbstone. The following pre-
amble and resolutions we're passed with
but one dissenting voice, aud the owner
Of that voice got licked in FIVE seconds
by a boy who voted in the affirmative,
but the licked boy was allowed to change
his vote and then harmony prevailed:
Whereas, Captain John Lewis has
given US a,home, with lots of coal, at his
office. Therefore. be it
Resolved, That we will take tie place
aud keep it, and lick any fellow that
comes there without being asked. We
are much.obliged 10 Captain Lewis, and
we agree to give him a LEDGER every
day without a nickel, .
Resolved, That a copy Of these resolu-
tons be published in the LEDGER, APP
peal, Avalanche. New York Clipper,
Mercury and all sporting papers through
out the country, including the Chicago
Street Gazette.
Resolved, That a copy Of these resolu-
tons be sent to the families Of every
newsboy.
The gang then elected a President. Ia
freckle-faced boy), a Vice President, a
Secretary and a Treasurer, whereupon
the meeting adjourned, as a lively fight
was progressing down the alley between
a newsboy and a niger bootblack.
1t seems that Mr.. Lewis had paid up
his rent to January LIST, and had no use
for the Office, but he and Mr.. Bethel, the
landlord, disagreed as to. a new tenant
and about a rebate on the rent paid, and
like every controversy Of this character,
the disagreement ripened into anger and
a determination to make the disagree.
ment as dissgreeable as possible. Cap
tain Lewis secured a s~ign-painter and
had painted on the Office window the
words, Headquarters for Newsboys,'
aud taking a stand on the sidewalk in
forGed all his friends, hundreds in mum.
Der, as 10 his intention. A deputation Of
newsboys took a look at the ate" and
after dancing on the floor pronounced it
" bully" The stove and coal box were
inspected and were also voted to be
bully" A Reighbor sent. in a polite
message asking the boys TO keep quiet,
to which the spokesman replied, IAN
right; We hain't took possession yet, but
we will to morrow, end then we will raise
h-ll." At a late hour last evening Cap
tain Lewis was served with aq iujuDp-
ton at the suit Of Colonel P. c. Bethel;
all of which gives a legal aspect to the
amusing controversy.
The injunction was obtained from
Judge Morgan Of the First Chancery
Court late last evening and was served
on Captain Lewis. Among other things
it charges: Said J.. G. Lewis is about
to let or lease said olice to the neEsboyl
and bootblacks of the city Of Memphis
for the purpose of annoying said P. C.
Bethel and to his great damage and in
jury to said Office, and be asks for an in
junction restraining seidJ. G. Lewis from
leasing, letting or placing said partiesir
} possession, 'newsboys and bootblsckg,
or any one else, Of said premises, 30
= 2S7 Main street"
Captain Lewis employed Judge Johr
! Carmack TO file an answer and move t.
, dissolve the Injunction Immediately.