Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1875-05-27
WATER
To the Ctnrsns OF memphis.

To the Citizens OF Memphis.
The undersigned came to Memphis
with five hundred aud s%eyentythree
thousand dollars of the bonds Of the
Memphis Water Company, being all the
bonds issued but twenty-seven thousand
dollars. We announced to the holders
Of the twenty seven bonds that they
might, II they pleased, come in with us on
equal terms. As the bonds have fur
nished nearly all the money that was
used in the construction Of the water
works, We anticipated no opposition, and
brought with us g. W. Pearson, the WE'LL
knewn engineer, who superintended the
original construction Of the works. and
we're prepared to set him at once to con-
structing a new fltering reservoir, which
be confidently assured us would furnish
an ample supply Of clear water; also we
pr posed et nee to contract with the
holly Mausf curing Company for two
new enginrs, and four additional
pumps, so as to have a reserve Of
power in case Of needed repairs. We
also proposed to lay about five miles ad-
ditional mains, which, with some minor
improvements, would cost fifty thousand
dollars, all of which we hoped to COM
plete before winter, intending to make
the works frst-class in every respect,
and to look for our returns In the in
creased prosperity of your fair city.
These plans have been frustrated, as you
are aware, after the works had been sold
TO us, and we had made the FIRST payment
on them, by suits and ipjunctions, to
such an extent that we were advised BY
counsel that it was safer to open the
sale, refer all the points in dispute to
the courts, and get an order for their
sale next fall, in such manner as to
make the title good beyond a question.
Meantime the works remain in the hands
of the trustees Of the mortgage-two of
your well known and highly esteemed
citizens-who will serve you as well as
they can, with the means at their dis.
posal; but they will have no power
to make any considerable improve
ments. We feel it incumbent on our-
selves to say that twice, within the
past fifteen months, the works would
have suspended operations had not the
bondholders, whom we represent, fur.
nished some ten thousand dollars to
keep up the service. AS the water-works
are a public institution, we think the
public is entitled to know all the facts
concerning them; hence, this card.
Whether we will ever renew our efforts
to improve the works will depend much
on the encouragement 'fe receive from
the people Of Memphis.
In conclusion, we will do the people OF
Memphis the justice to say, we have, as
a general thing, received kindness and
sympathy from them; but it may become
necessary, if the parties we represent are
to be induced again to take such action
as the wants of your city require, hat
such sympathy be manifested in more
than a passive manner.
JAMES P. WALLACE,
W. A. GooDMAN,
CHARLES KEEP.
Having been of counsel for the pur.
chasers, and being cognizant of the facts
stated IN the foregoing publication, we
take pleasure in indorsing it and com.
mending it to the public.
GEORGE CAN'T,
WV. M. RANDOLPH.
The above card will attract public at
t%ention, The gentlemen who represent
the stock of the water. works purpose
increasing such works to an extent most
necessary, which will be Of immense
benefit and convenience to our citizens,
The Old company, who controlled the
works, had no money and were unable
to do anything TO accommodate tbs
people, but the new men are capitalists
and men of energy and enterprise, who
will place the works in the best possible
condition. In this they should receive
the encouragement and support of all
classes of publicrspirited citizens, and
everything should be done to aid them
in their great enterprise. No obstruc.
tons should be placed in their way, and
each citizen should avail himself of the
supply of clear aud fresh water purpoad
to be supplied by the new company.
The card Of the gentlemen who control
the works and own the bonds furnishes
most interesting reading and should be
read and pondered over by every citizen.
100 POmpanO