Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1875-12-06
The subscription prize OF the
PUBnEO LEDGER is ss per annum
for Daily, and 81 per annum for
weekly. POSTAGE FREE.
MAYOR LEAGUES ADMINISTRATIONS.

weekly. POSTAGE FREE.
MAYOR LEAGUES ADMINISTRATION.
We give place to-day to a communica-
ton from an "0ld Subscriber" who in
dorses the Democratic and Conservative
movement with reference to city politics,
but seems to labor under a mistake as
to the position of the LEDGER two years
ago. For an old subscriber he must be
q careles reader, or have a very short
memory. II he will call at the LEDGER
Office he can have access to our files to
find where we ever supported Mr.. League
for Mayor in a single line. He is en-
tirely too liberal in his compliments in
giving the LEDGER credit for Leagues
election, although we did not support
his opponent. That was a free fight, in
which we could not take sides, and gave
our reasons al the time. Without max
ing q personal war on Major Busby, we
did expose the s~o-called citizens meet
ing which brought him forth, or rather
seconded the motion. We hoped for a
Democratic movement until the last, or
some movement hat would bring out a
more acceptable candidate. In this we
were disappointed, and therefore did not
support-either Of the candidates in the
field. When Mr.. League was elected we
had to accept the situation and
put him on his good behavior, but
it was only a short time until
we had to take issue with him
on matters Of vital interest to the pub
lie. When Mr.. League went into Office
he had a fine working majority with him
in the Beard of Aldermen and the Com
mon Council, but League at once fell
into the hands Of a little Irish Radical
ring, a close corporation, from the secret
caucuses Of which evolved a number Of
nominations for Offices most objection
able to the public. His first move was
to attempt to remove Chief of Police
Athy and All his place with an incom-
petent man. This the LEDGER and the
General Council resented, and compelled
him TO nominate Captain Athy as Chief.
He had the ignorance and littleness to
base his objections to Captain Athy on
the words petty ~prejudices," which APP
peared in a published petition asking
him to nominate Captain Athy. The
word that should have been in the publ
cation was party" instead of petty"
but the printer made a mistake in set
ting it up, but we must, in justice to
him, admit that he was a prophet, as
since that time John League has been
governed by petty preiudices in his ad-
ministration Of city affairs. From that
time forth the LEDGER and the General
Council opposed Mayor League, he hav-
ing been weighed in the balance and
found wanting" He attempted to de-
stroy the efficiency ofour FIRE department
by introducing into it a negro company,
and eve advocated the adjustment of
the Adams street FIRE company because
the members we're opposed to him. Since
that time he has resorted to "vetoes"t TO de-
feat the General Council, but at last he lost
even the vote in the Council which en-
abled him to display his venom by a veto.
Being powerless for either good or harm
he sits in the City Hall, a picture of dis
appointed ambiiop-one whose claws
have been cut, but he never fails to show
his teeth when al opportunity offers As
a Mayor he has been a great failure; his
mind is.of too small a calibre 10 grasp
the necessities Of our great commercial
city. In this he has ever disappointed
his friends, but they use him for their
W purposes, and this fact forms the
bond and union between them. AS a
small hand attempting to grasp a mighty
globe is thrown back, astonished at the
sense of its impoteucy, SO Mayor League
stands COMPOUNDED at his own signal
failure in attempting to become q great
municipal leader and rule the destinies
of Memphis. And in every respect lex.
cept enabling the Londonderry ring
to fasten itself and fatten upouthe vitals
Of the city,, he has failed as a Chief
Magistrate, and consequently the LEDGER
has opposed him aud will oppose MIN
until he is hurled from power. No. one
connected with the LEDGER Office ever
asked him for Offices or fayors either for
themselves or their friends. The LEDGER
has maintained its independence aud has
criticised his administration in a severe
but necessary manner just as it would
oppose the administration Of any Other
Chief Magistrate who presented SO many
Objectionable features in his administra
tion'o city affairs.
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