Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1875-12-16
That Little, Transaction OF $4,000,
and the Sweet MOrsel of Profits
Amounting to $1,000.
A Tough Pill for the Mayor-Makers
to Swallow Dose the People
Have Labelled Political
Poison"
A Chapter from the City Records -Pelf,
Plumber, Profit, and Political Pee
ulatiOn-Is 1t To Be Re.
peated! ~

1t is well known to the people Of
Memphis that the APPEAL has al
ways labored for their sue
cess, and that in Its support Of
the Democratic party it has been actu-
ated solely by desire for the prosperity
OF the city. We have had neither enc
mics to punish nor friends to reward,
and especially in the present canvass
have studiously avoided any entangle-
ments or complications with aspirants
for public favor. We have long real
lied the necessity for the management
of our city affairs upon basis such as
characterizes any Of the well.con-
Quoted mercantile establishments which,
all combined, form the commercial
integrity and goodwill of Memphis,
and we have in the past few months,
particularly, urged the selection for
mayor OF man who, while well
known Democrat, enjoys the confidence
and esteem Of the public fer honesty, up
rightness and integrity. There are many
such men-many Democrats of approved
judgment and character who can
point way out OF the troubles that en-
viron our municipality on every hand,
and who, with the cooperation of men
of probity and good sense in the general
council, would lead US out from under
the fearful load Ofdebt that is paralyzing
sill our energies, hanging over US like a
nightmare, and threatening even our
corporate existence. We have many
such men, but JOHN JOHNSON is not
one of them. For four years as mayor
of Memphis he was tried and found
wanting, and the APPEAL, which will
ingly supported him for a second term,
was compelled to confess his unworthi-
ness to fill q place where so much de-
pends upon the incorfuptibility and un.
spotted character Of the incumbent.
His name will be brought before the
convention to-day, and he will be
pressed for the position which he dis
graced. Why, those alone can tell who
will support him, in face of the facts
that are of record upon the books OF the
city. True to its purpose of defending
the people from the predatory incur.
sions Of tbs class which is found in ev.
cry city, and which is at once the curse
of political parties aud the bane OF mu-
nicipal governments, the APPEAL to-
day sounds the note Of alarm, and re.
calling the evidence against JOHN JOHN
SON, urges upon the mem bers of the
convention that under no circumstances
can it put in nomination for mayor a
man who left that Office branded by the
committee who Investigated his mis-
conduct-that it cannot, without stulti-
flying the community, without inhicting
irreparsble injury upon the Democratic
psrty-put forward as its candidate a
man who failed of impeachment through
aquibble of law 30 transparent that even
a child can see through 1t. The Demo-
cratic convention to-day cannot in honor
nominate JOHN JOHNSON, THE MAYOR
DRED DOLLARS IN TRANSACTION
BASED UPON HIS FINANCIAL POLICY.
They cannot ask!the people of Memphis
to indorse by reelection man who
speculated in city securities, and SO de-
graded his Office. The convention cannot
ask the people to say that a mayor may
trade in city securities-that he can
make our load of debt and a shifting
financial policy the basis for private
speculation and gain-that he can warp
and twist their unfortunate public con-
dition so as to put money in his purse
by thousands more than the ample salary
which reimbufses him for attention to
their public affairs. The convention can
not ask the Democratic party to saddle
itself with man that has been repudi-
ated as an officer unworthy the conf
dence of the community. New York
has driven away the place.hunt-
ers and officials who traded and
plundered. Philadelphia has done the
same. Everywhere throughout the
country the trading pests OF political
life are being driven forth. Let not
Memphis encourage the same class here
by the indorsement for reelection of a
man who made money in and by
his office, and who is regarded with
favor principally by those who would
fatten upon the public treasury. The
people are urgent for reform, for retrench-
ment and economy. With such
following and support as he has, and
with his well-earned character as a
trader in Office, Mr.. Johnson cannot
guarantee either or any OF these. And
now for the proof. On the ninth of
April, 1873, a paper was presented to the
board Of aldermen and councilmen
charging Mayor Johnson, w. B. Green
law and Mr.. Harrington with financial
conspiracy. The document was signed
by George R. Phelap, and is as follows:
MEMPHIS, April 9, 1873.
]. ]. Busby, Esq:
DEAR SIR-In the present perplexed and
dsordered condition of our city finances, it is
the duty OF every citizen 10 make public any
facts he may know affecting the good faith
and honesty in office of any member Of our
CITY governments L lubI6lOTe l0IOEUn you, dh
member OF the general council, and that
you may communicate the statement to
them, that in the spring of 1870 Mr.. John
johnson entered into a combination with
Messrs. william NJ. Harrington and w. B.
Greenlaw for the purpose of speculating In
city bonds; that these gentlemen were to
furnish the money for such speculation,
and Mr.. johnson was to furnish the in
form alton and other assistance; that in pur-
suance Of such an agreement these par
ties purchased and held a large amount
OF the bonds OF the city; that Mr.. John
son then arranged for the city with the
Union and Planters bank a certain loan, by
which the bank was TO pay the coupons fall
! ing due In July, 1870, and the city was TO pay
interest on such loan till settled by the city;
| that this was done for the purpose OF sppre-
ciatlng the bonds held by Mr.. johnson and
! his partners, and that they were RIp &C 'atel;
that these parties then sold the Doads and