Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1875-06-21
ANNUAL REPORT
Of the Executive Committee Of the
PEOPLES PROTECTIVE UNION.
70 the Meeting Of the Association
Held nc the Cotton Exchange,
LUna IL 1871.

Jr., w. l.. Vance, +. NJ. Apperson, l..
Hanauer, ]. A Anderson, NJ. Burke
and W. A. Biekford. originally elected
members of this Executive Committee
and Hugh Torrance, vice w. H Walker.
resigned; Minor Merriwether, vice J. T.
Stratton, resigned; Jacob Thompson,
vice John Zent, resigned; and Ii. T.
Lemon, vice A. N. Edmonls, resigned,
severally elected by the Executive Com
mlttee In pursuance of the terms and
authority of the Constitution beg leave
10 submit the following as their report of
facts and results of their agency during
the year now closed:
THE ORGANIZATION.
The Committee organized on the 9th
of June, 1874, E. NJ. Apperson being
elected Chairman, F. A. Tyler Secretary,
John L. 5 ration Treasurer, and G. W.
Alexander Assistant Secretary. Mr..
Louis Hanauer was elected Treasurer
on the resignation OF Mr.. Stratton.
The Assistant Secretary was inssrue-
to procure additional signatures Of me n
bers of the Association, in which duty he
continued for several months, and until
the existing list was nearly completed,
now amounting, in individuals and firms,
to 152-656 Of whom have received GER
tificates of membership.
The Secretary was directed to procure
the necessary books blanks, etc, and to
have the Constitution and programme of
this Association published, with suitable
comments Committees were appointed
for various purposes, and the business
of the Executive Committee was entered
upon with zeal by the members. Meet
ings have since been held almost weekly
throughout the year, the routine proceed
ings of which it is deemed unnecessary
to mention in detail. 1t is sufficient to
say that they were occupied with sugges-
tions of such reform measures as indi-
yiduals might have to present, delibera-
tions and discussions thereon, with the
presentation and consideration of the
reports Of committees, as from time to
time they came in.
SECURITY OF THE CITY FUNDS.
On one occasion, the Committee, hav
ing learned through the press and other
wise that the public moneys belonging
TO the City of Memphis, to the amount of
100000, we're in the hands of deputy
of the City Treasurer, and covered by no
sufficient bond to indemnify the city,
visited the Mayors Office in body, ac-
companied by large number of proml-
nent citizens, and were courteously re-
ceiyed by the Mayor and other officials
1t was by that time found that bond
had been given; and, further measures
being taken by the General Council, the
matter was ultimately adjusted to the
satisfaction of the Committee, and ac-
cordingly so reported.
EXAMINATION OF THE BOOKS AND VOUCH-
ERs.
On the 25th Of July, the General
Council of the city, having appointed
committee to examine books and vouch
ers, in order to the complete ascertain
ment of the financial condition of the
city, and the occasion being regarded as
one iavoring thorough investigation of
the truth, the Executive Committee,
with the consent and appreciation of the
committee of the General Council, APP
pointed and employed three gentlemen
who were expert and proficient in book
keeping, and the detection of errors in
accounts, who proceeded to such exam
ination, and occupied one month in the
same, with the result, that while the
present officials appeared in the main
to be performing their duties with fidel-
ity, many and serious defects in t e
system, and discrepancies in the ac-
counts we're discovered. But these, be-
ing errors of the past and not to be re-
oollo1 ,.nu,oJtnI fbn Jo
cined occupying time with their pursuit,
and preferred directing their efforts to
the prevention of future evils They
believed that the correction of all the
errors of the past, including the payment
of the whole public debt, important as
that might be, sank into insigni6cance
in comparison with the great object of
ascertaining the causes of mischief, and
of so modifying the system of admin
istration, as to make future abuses more
difficult or impossible These gentle
men we're duly paid for their services,
and the main object Of the particular
examination was accomplished which
was to begin a watch and scrutiny
as to the public interest, and to know,
without suspicion that anything ma
terial had been overlooked, what the
truth of the situation of city matters at
that time really was.
LEGAL ADVICE ASKED FOR.
On the 9th of August, series of
questions heretofore reported to you, of
a legal and practical character were sub
mitted for the examination and advice
of fMessrs. A. Wright, Isham G. Harris, L.
E. Horrigan, Minor Merriweather W. L.
Scott, (who was substituted for L. w,
Finlay, resigned), B. NJ Estes and Geo.
CAN'T, members of the Memphis bar,
acting as a committee of lawyers and
citizens.
EXAMINING CITY SCHOOLS.
Waiting for the report of this commit
tee; at meeting on the 22d of Decem-
Der, committee was appointed to act
corjointly with committee of the City
School Board, for examination of the
affairs of the City Schools with view
to such suggestions in an economic
view as might result, who proceeded and
performed that duty. not without adyan-
tage to the public interest as is believed.
AT the same meeting, I B. Micou, Esq,
accepted the appointment as the Attor-
ney and adviser of the Executive Com
mittee, with such compensation thereaf.
ter, as might be agreed on for individual
case, as the same might arise. The col
lection of fifty per cent of the tax on