Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1875-04-10
1T. HILLSMAN,
Chairman Board of Aldermen.
s. ]. CAMP,


Chairman Common Council.
Received and referred by both boards
to a special committee, as follows: ::
COuncilmen Hewitt, Fisher and Ryan,
and Aldermen Dent and Morti.
Had this come from some COM
mittee not familiar with the af-
airs OF the city, or, if possi-
bic, one composed of gentlemen from
the general council, not experts in
business, it would have been excusable,
but the idea that such an intelligent
committee would write and permit it to
go to the world by their report, that the
treasurer had loaned me money belong
ing to the city, is to me, under the Cir
cumstances, very surprising. The city
treasurer to loan to me the money OF the
city! Why, instesd OF the Il aksurer
losning me money, l have a claim
against the city, as that committee eer-
tainly knows, for every dollar of salary
l earned, now over $1,000, during the fif-
teen months have been in the Office of
mayor, which, of course, could have
had paid to me at any time, but be-
lieved that the necessities of the city's
employees were greater than mine, and
hence, although / had the power to act
In my own favor, and pay myself,
have not thought proper to do so whilst
the city was crippled and its employees
suffering. The intent OF such a report
is too apparent to be mistaken, but
right here let me assure you, gentlemen,
that the salary Of the Office was not the
object Of my ambition in my aspiration
to be mayor Of Memphis. Ny ambition
was of different and loftier nature. l
hope shall ever be 80 guarded as not to
do dishonOrable act, and l am conf
dent / will never do dishonest one
one that would either bring the blush to
my cheek, or be notifying to my fel-
Iow-citizens. Money could not pur-
chase for me the honor conferred by the
trust confded to me, and will
not prove unworthy, l hope, Of their
confidence. My action, unfortunately,
in vetoing the resolution looking to the
appointment of an assistant counsel has
brought this seeming trouble on me; but
how often do we find good results from
whence they were not expected. 1t is
insinusted that my previous communi-
cations to you were different. take it
the original will not be presented in sup
port Of that position; but even though l
had entertained the idea, or even so ex-
pressed myself, have / not given you
good reasons why should return to the
council the resolution without approval?
DR.. Hewitt-Mr. League, excuse US;
you are reading what seems to be q de-
tense Of yourself. 1t has nothing to do
with this investigation.
The committee, however, allowed Mr..
League to continue his reading:
There are some people in the world, /
am told, go constituted that they never
change their mind. / am not one Of
that class; yet had / no other cause
for vetOing the resolution, private rea-
SONS urged by members of the COM
mittee for its adoption would be sufti-
cient cause for me to oppose it. There
is another matter, whilst speaking on
this subject, that / may very properly
mention. That is the action of the gen.
eral council in sometimes appointing
me with q committee to do q certain
act, and then supposing that the mere
fact Of the COM mitteeoutnumbeTingm me
is sufficient to tie my hands, or to seal
my lips, so as to prevent me from re-
porting back TO the only body legally
! authorized to create offices and incur
| liabilities against the city. In order
! that the resolution may be inquired into
/ intelligently, permit me to present you
q plain exhibit OF the treagurer's ao-
counts, as shown by his and the comp
troller's books, and then 10 say few
words in explanation, not by way Of
yindication or apology for what has
been done, but In justification Of my
surprise at the strange action
and stranger report Of the committee.
BY examining the treasurer's report,
now before you, you will perceive that
the same figures are used; but desire
to make the statement so plain that
every one who reads ii may understand
It. Since the report Of collections end
ing with the month Of February the
treasurer received
on account or general taxes, privi-