Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1875-07-23
EHPHES Appeal
yKIDAY, go: JULY g, 1875.
EtAhRUPT CIEIEs.


Before tie var Columbia, South Caro-
Ina, was one Of the wealthiest, most
prosperous and thriving cities in the
world. 1t was comparatively free from
debt. But We see from the Charleston
Courier and NeJrs that the property Of
the city is advertised to be sold by the
sheriff to satisfy judgments obtained
against 1t by the Carolina national
bank. The city waterworks, four scres,
aud ten,other acres, are in this unfort-
innate category. From good authority
il is learned, also, that there is not dol
lar in the city treasury, although there
are fifty thousand dollars arrears OF
taxes due. or ax-payers who are in sr-
Iears some can't pay and others won't.
Many have lost all confidence in the
proper use Of the city funds by the city
government. Thus things tend from
bad to worse. Next year, If this sort Of
management goes on, the city govern
ment will come 10 q halt and lie
wound up. ImpeCuniOus as they now
No diminution OF salaries, either as TO
their number or their amounts, to suit
the times and the straitened circum-
stances Of the city, has been ordered.
lmprovidence, extravaganza and inca
pscity will work their necessary effects.
Il is only question of time when the
whole thing will 20 down. This is sad
illustration Of the crushing effect OF the
corruption which pervsdes the whole
State Of South Carolina. On all sides
the taxpayers are plundered, and the |
whole State will soon fall prey TO the |
Tapacity OF the plunderers. New Or |
leans is in the same condition. There |
taxation amounts TO cOnfiscetion. Mem |
phis is rapidly drifting into the mael-
strom which is about to engulf New Or |
leans and Columbia. But there is one |
favorable sign. An effort has been made |
to bring the taxpayers face to face on thu |
grave question Of our city Indebtedness. |
Something may be accomplished by a |
persistent agitation of the vital necessity |
Of economy and retrenchment, and to |
make invalid all fraudulent and Illegal |
bonds. The APPEAL is largely |
patronized by the Taxpayers Of |
Memphis, and it will most cordially |!
unite with them in discussing ways and |
means by which to save the city |
from ruin and the Taxpayers from intol-
cradle burdens. This is the duty Of ell |
good citizens. Let Us compare notes |
and see il our debt is not too large for |
our income. The problem is how can /
we run the city government and give /
the Taxpayers a far she wing in the ex-
pen liture OF the revenue derived from
hem, and at the SAM time keep |
down the interest on the public debt !
and 10 something in favor Of a sinking |
fund to be applied TO The principal? !
Opinions differ-some think that the
want Of the taxpayers are entitled to
paramount consideration. Others that
fne public creditor has the first and last
claim upon The revenue. II there is not
enough for both pOlicies, and
neither car be wholly neglected,
il IS clear that compromise is the only
solution Of the quandary. The question
nov is, are We aot trying to run our ex-
pensive government, and to manage our
public debt at The maximum rate of tax
alton, and that not producing enough?
II this is the case, we are making no
Roadway in two important particulars.
First, in the direction Of extinguishing
the debt, and second, in the matter of
lowering the taxes. The position of af-
fairs naturally causes anxiety in the
minds Of all good citizens. They do not
see thelC way clear.