Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1875-04-08

sustained by the father or son at the
gaming-table, under the eye of city
government. But little:legislation is re-
quired to avoid q great deal of trouble.
BANKS AND INSURANCE COMPANIES.
The courts have at length decided the
tax cases against the banks and insur-
ance companies and in favor of the city
on all the questions raised. This, OF
course, is q matter OF satisfaction to
know that the officers of the city
were only enforcing the law. Now,
however, there is another view to be
taken of these suits. If the law is to be
literally construed, it cannot do other.
wise than drive from our city the very
thing we most need in commercial
business-money. Therefore l sug-
gest that q committee on confer
ence and compromise be appointed,
to hear the statements Of the
several officers who propose to set
tie, if satisfactory compromises be re-
ceived and acted upon, and to report
back to you.
PROPERTY HELD BY THE CITY.
The city is the holder OF titles to pur.
haps six hundred pieces OF property,
upon many of which there are valuable
improvements, and in many cases
rented to good tenants. Were you to
employ some one to collect rents from
occupants no doubt before long a con.
siderable amount of past due taxes
the hope, gentlemen, that if / have said
on the affairs of the city de-
serving OF action at your hands, it
will be done with as little delay as pos
sible, and with assurances on my part
to cordially cooperate with you in all
measures for the public good, l have the
honor to be, with great respect, your
obedient servant,
JOHN LOAGUE, Mayor.
THE MONROE STREET EXTENSION.
MAYORS OFFICE,
MEMPHIS, Tenn, April Z, 1875. I
Board of General Ceuncil:
GENTLEMEN-I return to you, with
out approval, the following resolution,
presented at your last regular meeting:
WHEREAS, By action of the general
council heretofore had in the matter of
agreeing TO receive certain bonds for the
extension OF Monroe street from DIR. p.
P. Fraime, the said land to be paid for in
taxes heretofore past-due; and whereas,
there sre taxes due by the said DR.. P.
2. Fraime which may be settled in past
due city indebtedness; therefore, be it
ReSotUed, That the mayor be, and he
is hereby authorized to settle with the
said DR.. P. P. Fraime, by allowing the
said DIR. Fraime to settle the portion
payable in past-due Indebtedness at the
rate which the said Indebtedness can be
purchased at, provided the settlement
is made within the next thirty days.
Probably l might only mention to
you that 1 believe, under the new char
ter such q resolution is not necessary,
and could not now become a law; but
lest there should be any misunderstand-
ing about it l return it to you for your
action.
/ have not uttered my views upon
his subject since you first took action
IN the purchase, but see no way Of
of the case except by again
presenting it to you.
Mr.. Fraime was satisfied in his own
mind that the resolution was the con-
'truction you intended to have given to
your original action. l differed with
him, and hence the necessity Of appeal
ng to you. Inow return the resolution
without my approval. Very respect
ully, JOHN LoAGUE,
Mayor.
ASSISTANT CITY ATTORNEY.
MAYORS OFFICE,
MEMPHIS, April 7, 1875. 4
&c the Honorable General Council:
herewith return with
,ut my approval the resolution passed
It your last meeting, by which you ratI-
led the action of the finance committee
n employing an assistant city attorney
It a salary of $444 Al per month, or
s40O0 for the balance of the year. had
hoped that should not find myself in
he position of disagreeing with you
gain as to any public measure you
night see proper to propose. But this
of $4,000 of public money,
ust at this time, is, think, a matter of
90 great importance to let pass without
objection on my part, or, rather, with
,ut affording you an opportunity to re-
1ect upon your own action. AS you are
III aware our new city charter is now in
orce, and by its provisions city indebt-
,dHess is receivable for that class of
evenue to which we must look for the
means to pay such salaries, and as we
nave several months yet to bridge over
before we can begin the collection of the
evenue for the current year, we will
necessarily be more pressed in
'ur finances than heretofore, and
instead of increasing expenses or
Mourning new debts, we ought rather,
n my judgment, to curtail them as far
Is possible, and make some effort to pay
What we owe already. But aside from
his, l cannot agree with you in the
opinion that assistant counsel is neces-
ary at this time. know that there is
much litigation, and that our city attor-
ley is oyerworked with the accumulat-
ng suits in the various courts, but I do
lot know ofany case that has been neg
ected. However indelicate it may ap-
bear, cannot refrain from expressing
he opinion that had we been advised
)y Mr.. Hanson during the past year,
much Of the unnecessary and very trou-
Olesome litigation would have been
avoided. l find that all of the serious
and embarrassing suits are based upon
city Indebtedness of one character or an
other, principally coupons and past-due
Oondsi and it seems that the courts
have determined that corporations must
pay them when they are in the hands OF
innocent holders. And may it not be
mat such decisions will be of great ben
1t to commercial cities like Memphis,
when we consider that so much
Of their prosperity depends upon
their good faith in all matters
to the public credit? III Iegis-
latiOn is directed in a manner SO as to
prevent the necessity for an increase OF
certainly our commercial
interests will not advance with addi-
Lional burdens-therefore request Won
10 continue TO curtail expenses as much
as can properly be done with due regard
10 the protection of life and property
and the general improvement OF the
city; then 1t would not be long until
our creditors would cease to ask for judg-
ments, and thereby aid us in getting out
Of our troubles. The city of Memphis
has paid large sums for assistant coun-
,el In the last few years, / believe IS
much as fifteen thousand dollars since
1870, In addition to the regular attor-
ney's salary. Ii is needless for me To
add that this 10 too much-yOu can see
/ st y glance. may add, in Justice to
yoH and to myself, that it is not our
work. But let US steer clear Of the paths