Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1875-11-30
THE MASS MEETING.
What the Ledger and the Avalanche
hR e to Say about IL.

Evening Ledger, of Yesterday
An unusually large, as well as orderly
and harmonious, meeting was held at
the Greenlaw Operhouse Saturday night
to appoint 3 city executive Democratic
meeting, which was done without un-
necessary Ge'ay, ard the mte ing inn
mediateiy adjourned. The committee
is composed OF well-kDown citizens, who
are competent TO conduct q campaign.
The movement Is in the hands of the
people entirely, and we shall attempt
neither TO hamper il with suggestions
nor anticipate its action. II, however,
the people manifest as much interest in
the primary meetings and the conven-
ton as in the origin of the new move
ment, they can trust to the results. 1t
is not to be pre- sumed that every one
present was thereby committed to what
ever might be done, for number of Re-
publicans were there; but the attendance
of 80 large crowd of quiet, thought ul
citizens shows that the people are alive
to their interests, and will rigidIy scru-
tinize every public step taken toward
the municipal election. They are not
80 much concerned as to whether this
or tina! man shall draw the mayors SAL
airy, but as TO how their affairs are to be
administered for the next two years. 1t
remains to be seen what soft of men
will be elected delegates and who will
be nominated for mayor.
Avalanche of Sunday
The Democratic meeting OF last night,
at Greenlaw Opsrahouse, was more
moderate in its results than we expected
from the exclusive tone of the call limit
ing membership only to Democrats, aud
more conservative than the action of
the eighth ward meeting, which points
to a reorganization of the old order of
things tOhen the party s0hip ,OaS cracked
tttriOusly on every corner; aOlae1 p H.
Winters 1UGS q high priest in the party
and ODOnneU its representative. The
general conduct Of the meeting was
directed by good sense, and animated
by a spirit to do the best for the city.
The policy of conducting the nlunici.
pal cdnUGSs on q party basis, a0ith party
candidates, to gel possession Of the city
6y mere partisan leaders, is tLoaOlse, and
anil be bad in its results to the CONNER
cidl, mechanical and financial interests
Of Memphis. There is no reasonable
cause at this time for q party movement,
and a0e hope The good sense Of the erecu-
the committee, which as composed of
gOOU HIGUtOCIO, If WILL Ell
01iU recommend an enlargement of the
movement, to embrace all who desire
good government, and thus place the
candidate, if successful, beyond the reach
of obligations to cliques or rings, in or out
OF the party, that cannot be ignored, and
if regarded, will conflict with an honest
discharge IF official duties. In addition
to which it may be stated, as we go
along, that success under q party banner
Is doubtful, AND SUCCESS UNDER 1T IS
NOT DESIRABLE. The distinguished
presiding officer of the meeting last
night, Mr.. q. M. Estes, himself, is an
excellent authority on this point; he
presided more than two years ago in the
Greenlaw OperahOuse over reform
deprecatiUg mere party
lines, and invoking the cooperation OF
all citizens who were in favor Of a
cheaper and better system of local gov |
eminent. Hence we can see no reason |
to reverse this opinion, aid to stir up |
antagOnism and excite suspicion, unless |
it be conceded and believed that mere |
party triumph is worth more than the |
Of Memphis. Party govern |
ment of American cities is the most |
monstrous evil Of the day. For New |
York it has accumulated debt OF one |
hundred and fifty million dollars, the
interest OF which is eleven million del. |
lars annually; for Philadelphia it has
made debt OF quite eighty million dol
fist under Democratic, the
last under Republican rule. In every
other city, from Chicago to New Or
cans, including Memphis, party rule
mas been machinery 20 eat up the sub-
stance OF toe people. Possibly our city,
lnder mere party rute, may prove q SOy-
tdTy e.ruUIpte VI P0tttious uireree and
success, 6aG the erE egience Of
he past unfortunately ShOWS that the
Jood elements are eL6oaOed out and The
lad ones take control.