Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1875-06-21
VOL. Xxx.


the queries propounded to them, and
the advice given was in the main acted
on by the preparation of suitable bills,
and a petition accompanying them, for
warded to our representa- ives, and laid
before the Legislature; all which action
was assented to by the Chamber of
Commerce, which co-operated in the
same advice and request; and of all
wGich the members of this Association
are already fully advised. The Presi-
dent, as authorized by the Association
to do, at its general meeting, held at
Assembly Hall, February 10th, 1875, ap-
po lted Minor Merriweather, Isham. G.
Harris and W. A, Bickford, the commit
tee to forward, and urge before the Leg
islature the views of this Association,
and bills then already prepared, which
was accordingly done.
PROTEST AGAINST EXTRA FEES.
At meeting, March 22d, the Execu-
tive Committee protested against the
payment of certain large fees for the
procurement of additional counsel by
the city, with the final result of veto
from the Mayor, and the contract with
such attornies not being entered into.
THE MAXIMUM LIMIT.
At a meeting held April Sd, commit
tee was appointed to protest before tie
County Court against the increase of
taxes for city schools beyond the amount
before then provided by law, regarding
the same as sufficient, and as already
exceeding the amount necessary for pri-
mary education; which the Executive
Committee believed the maximum / nit
Of justtaxation for educational purposes.
The result from all causes has been that
the extra taxes levied by the County
Court, though not reduced or omit I'd in
accordance with the views of this Com
mittee, were not increased beyond the
assessment, of the previous year as had
been proposed
BENEFITS OF COOPERATION.
Your Committee are pleased to be able,
as they think, to say that very much
good has been done in consequence of
their organization, and that the cost of
the same is already tenfold compensated
in the reduction of taxes, which could
never have been reasonably hoped for,
against all the official influences prevail
ing without this or some similar deter
mined and efficient effort bya voluntary
association. Aware that little more than
beginning has been made, and without
taking any undue glory to themselves,
which must be shared with thereformers
of other cities and counties Of the State,
and which is the result of the conioint
labors and influence Of all the determined
friends Of reform, it appears thatthe ball
which has been set to rolling has reached
the Legislature, and has induced deci-
ded tendency to retrenchment in that
body, likely to be followed up hereafter
as well as resulted in the passage of
number of valuable laws, highly credita-
BILE to our legislators, which have largely
reduced the expenses OF government all
over the State. One bill, known as the
Flppin bill, which passed both houses
at the heel OF the session, reducing GER
tain felonies to the grade of misdemean
ors, but which failed for want of time for
enrolment and presentation to the Go
ernor, may, Notwithstanding, be set down
in addition to the credit of the Legisla-
ture. By this measure, in relieving the
Criminal Court of its large number of
insignificant cases, il is estimated $4,000
per annum would be saved to our county.
And it is hoped it will pass the next ses-
sion without dissenting voice. The
effect of it, besides its economy, would
be essentially humane, aud your Com
mittee believe, Also more efficient for
the prevention of crime than the present
equally severe and expensive system.
REDUCED EXPENSE OF COLLECTION.
For Shelby County, two Revenue Col
lectors being now dispensed with, and
the County Trustee being made Collec-
tor, with compensation for himself and
three deputies limited to $4,000, we have
an estimated saving of $4,000 year,
as compared with the former supposed
cost of collecting the County and State
revenue. This law only takes effect
from the lst of August, 1876. Some
reasonable addition to the compensation
for the additional labor and responsible
ty imposed on the County Trustee being
given, we would suggest that he might
as well collect, as one Assessor assess,
all taxes for the city and county, and
that such change would result in a fur
ther reduction of the cost of collection
considerably greater, and which is now
paid by our people.
UTILITY AND NECESSITY OF THE NEW
JURY.
By the change of the jury system, as
undertaken by the Legislature, making
those who litigate pay the whole costs OF
their own law suits, it is belle! ed $4,000
a year, as compared with the former cost
expended FOR regular juries in the two
Circuit Courts, would be saved to our
county, besides the loss Of time and
other expense ofiurors, attorneys, ldges
and litigants. Juries being dispensed
with, until recently, in a majority of
cases since the passage of the Law, it has
already appeared that the business Of
the courts has progressed with fourfold
rapidity, and one Circuit Court has been
found capable of clearing the docket at
rate OF progress never heretofore
reached byStwo. Another great advan-
tage of this change Of the jury law has
been, that while cases have been deter
mined with as much satisfaction to Eti-
gants, fewer errors have been committed
and fewer appeals taken to the Supreme
Court; thus relieving that court also of
the hitherto too rapid augmentation of
the numbers of cases on its docket, and
rendering its clearance possible at some