Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1875-12-11
GENERAL COUNCIL MEETING.
Big Contracts Up for consideration
Last Night b Levee and Main
street improvements. BIC

Last Night the Levee and Mnfn
street improvements. Etc.
In the General Council last evening
the bids of contractor on paving, piling,
grading the levee and erecting a break
water somewhere up the river, above the
islands were opened and read. Six bids
we're opened, as follows: W. ]. Nc
Gavock & Co, Dufin & Bro, N. B &
VIM. Forrest, Larkin & Co, H. Louden,
T. 6. Meath; but all bids we're referred
to the Wharf and Landing Committee.
The magnitude Of the work proposed to
be done is such that haste should be
avoided il possible. The proposition is
to tear up the old pavement on the levee,
grade and repair it, drive piles along the
levee front, etc, and build q b~reakwater
at some point up the river, to be selected
by the City Engineer, so as to change
the current Of the river aud
prevent it from impinging on the bank
IN front Of the city. The entire cost of
these improvements is estimated at
about 100000 The breakwater will
cost about $4,000, the piling in front of
the levee will cost about $40, 900 and the
grading and paving, etc, will cost the
remainder of the 800. 900. Before
these important works are commenced
it might be we'll to investigate whether
or not the costly improvements will be
OF the benefit proposed, or whether the
result will be a failure. To discover
this we opine the best engineers should
be employed in advance to make the
necessary surveys and sourdings, and
to make report to the General Council az
to the availability of the work proposed.
We do not think that the City Engineer
is equal 10 this scientific task, as it is
OF a magnitude far beyond anything that
ever comesin his line Of business. Chang.
ing the current Of the big Mississippi or
causing it to defect is no child's play.
1t should be remembered hat Memphis
is now the headquarters of the United
States engineer corps for this district.
Major Benyaurd, a civil and military en-.
gineer, is in charge of the district. He
has had no little experience in removing
distractions on Red river, known al the
Red river raft, and be is thoroughly ia
mlliar with breakwaters, piling aud other
river improvements. Might not the city
secure his valuable services to make the
necessary surveys and soundings and
get his opinion as to the matter before
engaging in expanding SO large amount
Of money, which may be Of no advantage
to our lauding2
MAIN STREET REPAIRS.
Bids for repairing Main street from
Beal to Calhoun aud from Beal to the
Louisville depot we're presented by H.
Louden, P. G. Meath and Larkin & Co..
and were referred to the Improvement
| Committee.
MORE TAXES.
A resolution passed the General Coun.
Gil to levy a tax of o. cents on the 500,
to satisfy the Nicolson pavement judg.
ment Of 7. E. Brown.
The General Councils resolution TO
levy still another tax Of "a cents on the
500, to satisfy mandamuses of the Cir.
cult Courtin behalf Of sundry bond and
coupon holders was referred for further
information to the Finance Committee.
GENERAL BUSINESS.
The General Council passed on its
third and final reading the resolution
granting the petition Of the police and
6remen for fifteen per cent. additional
on the scrip issued to them as pay, and
which scrip was not worth its face by IF
teen per cent. This only refers to the
scrip issued. With reference to the scrip
issued hereafter, those receiving it must
take it at its face value.
The General Council passed the au-
dited accounts, including the back sal
airy grab Of the members-in defiance of
the opinion Of City Attorney Walker,
that the Aldermen and Councilman we're
not entitled to pay under the new char
ter. This is sad, indeed; or as Hamlet
puts it
" The (pay) is the thing
With which to catch the conscience of the
king"
After ~transacting a lot OF minor bust.
ness the honorable General Council ad-
journed to meet again on next Friday