Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1875-09-09
wELL DONE FOR THE COUNCIL.

WELL DONE FOR THE COUNCIL.
The General Council met yesterday
afternoon, and after due d%eliberation
adopted the report of the committee in
favor of granting the petition of the
Memphis and Charleston railroad for
the right of way across the city through
high and Washington streets to the
river, so as to connect with other roads
which already have been accorded the
privilege of establishing depots, side
tracks, etc, on the public ground be-
tween Washington and Poplar streets.
The vote was almost unanimous in both
branches of the Council. The terms Of
the contract agreed upon we're very care
fully drawn by the City Attorney with a
proper regard for the rights of all par
ties concerned. His Honor Mayor
League submitted verbally some sug-
gestions which Mr.. Wilson, the Presi-
dent of the company, will in all proba-
bility be willing to adopt. There is
really no serious or irreeoncllable differ
ence, and we presume whatever there is
will be adjusted to the satisfaction OF all
parties. This accomplished and the
contract approved, our citizens can pro-
coed with the great enterprise Of erect.
ing an elevator on the levee Of such
proportions as the vast trade passing
through Memphis will demand. The
railroad company is required to take
Sl5.O 900 stock 10 such elevator, but it
will not be under their control but will
be- a distinct aud separate corporation.
We hope in behalf of all that Memphis
10 and hopes to be that no triflng or
unforeseen cause will defeat so great
a eonsummation. 1t requires no argu-
ment to prove that Memphis must
have increased facilities for hand.
ling freights and doing a Wholesale
business, or retrograde and 90 into a
state OF commercial deeadence. This
enterprise promises more for Memphis,
and az less cost aud Inconvenience, than
any proposition ever submitted TO our
people. No privileges are conferred on
this road at the river not already enjoyed
by others. AS to the right of way across
the city, many Of the pFopesty-holders
along the route favor it, and ninetenths
of the taxpayers in the city who under
stand the issue are heartily in favor OF
granting the petition. All live cities in
this country have railroad tracks and
depots and through connections within
their corporate limits. We need not
refer to them in detail, so well is this fact
known. Memphis has everything to gain
and nothing to lose. The time has come
when we must make a forward stride or
take q lurch to one side of tia great
commercial thoroughfares and let others
more progressive and energetic 90 by Us.
The Charleston road is poverty stricken.
We need not sag how or why this come
to be the case. But Il is so. We have
not admired the nismanagemagt OF the
road, but since it has passed into new
hands and shows signs of returning life
and prosperity, let US give them an OPP
p%ortunity to help themselves and at the
same time help Memphis. Messrs. Will
son and McGhee are successful railroad
men, public spirited, liberal, frank and
courteous. We believe they have offered
as liberal terms as the crippled condition
of the road will possibly admit. They
are making a bold and manly effort to
compete with the long through lines that
have we'll nigh fenced Memphis OK from
che rest of the world, and if they sac
coed Memphis reaps a rich part OF the
reward. Fortunately for u good name
and reputation for common business
aaeacity no real opposition has been de-
veloped, and the great prof ect, we sin
eerely hope, will soon be put into eXecH.
ton. All honor to the General Council
for so faithfully carrying out the wishes
Of the people and rising above precon-
ceived or partial views ia regard to this
momentous question.