Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1875-06-26
The Public Ledger for Absentees.
z A CART WHEELS.

uA6Ao6O SA0A A6G40
Yesterday we showed that under the
system of cart hiring as practiced under
the League administration there was
neither fairness nor economy used, for
nobody could believe hat il carting we're
required to be done for any individual
in our city government to an amount oil
say $4,000 but what hat individual
would inrite competition from all the
citizens who desired to embark in such
an enterprise. The officials of this city
should understand that they are simply
trustees ofthe people to administer their
laws and ordinances with the same fdel-
ity and economy that the most cautious
business man does in his private affairs,
as it is undoubtedly their sworn duty to
do, then will inevitably follow confidence
upon the part Of those who hold our in
d~ebtedness, as well as a careful effort
upon the part Of taxpayers to meet their
just obligations. Negligence, extrava-
gance and the want of a proper appreci-
alton Of the relation which the official
hears to the citizen produces distrust and
want o feonfdence among allwho have the
most remote interest in this corporation,
and induces taxpayers to feel that what
is ground out Of them is wasted in ex-
travagances and misapplied, il not mis-
appropriated, and thereby causes them
to resort to all sorts OF modes of avoid
ing their payment. Who are at fault we
will not stop now to consider. All we
propose is to deal with all matters as we
find them, suggest certain changes which
will, in our Judgment, reduce our expeI-
ditures, and keep them so constantly be-
fore the people that, when they exceed
the bounds of economy, an investigation
and inquiry will at once take place. In
seven months cart hire has come to
$768l rs. Had it been let to the lowest
and best bidder we have no doubt that
half that sum would have been given, be-
cause the poorest cart owner would have
had an equal chance with the wealthy
Messrs. 0yerton aud Woodruff. In that
same length Of time the department of
streets and alleys cost about $4,000, and
where it has gone the Lord only knows.
We take it for granted that the expendi-
lures are correctly set down on the pay.
rolls, and that the street commissioner
has discharged his duty TO the best Of
his ability, but the whole system has been
a fraud upon the people. Favoritism is
the ruling and principal ingredient and
has characterized the administration Of
the incompetent little pigmy in the
Mayors chair, as old John Harper used
to say concerning a race, from eeud to
eend." 1t is now time that the people
were. looking for some way of relief from
the gross Encouragement in their mu-
nicipal affairs. Inscriptions and in
competent men have had the swing long
enough in the control Of the city's well
fare, aud those who would be free from a
continuance Of such a state Of things
must strike the proper blow at once. That
blow is to sweep the authority from the
present specimen of incompetency and
overreaching ambition which occupies
the Mayors chair to carry on this sort of
work, and put the power in a board of
commissioners on public improvements.
We have plenty Of good citizens who will
undertake the labors of such a position
free Of charge, and who will improve our
streets and alleys at far less cost than we
have been forced to stand under the pres.
ent small potato municipal a~utocrat
called John League. Let this suggestion
be fully weighed and considered by our
City Fathers, who have the right to do
so, and see if good cannot come there
from.
I