Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-02-09
THE E COUNCIL.
The Rndees for 1879 ami other Inn
poFfnnt Matters.

THE GENERAL COUNCIL.
The Rudees for Hs7e ana other Inn
poFfnnt Matters.
The General Council met at the City
Hall last night and transacted but little
business, owing 10 the fact that it was
necessary to adopt the budget for 1876,
1t was passed on its first reading in the
following shape, al presented by Ceun-
Gilman Donovan. chairman Of the COM
mittee:
Honorable General Council:
Your committed, appointed in accord
ance with q resolution passed on last
meeting Of the General Council TO make
out g budget Of expenses necessary for
carrying on the city government for the
year 1876, as required by section Ga of
the new charter, and to set apart the
same to various departments and &C.
counts, beg leave to submit the following:
The basis upon which the budget is made
is taken from the estimated receipts from
merchants tax and privileges for the
year 1876 and the assessments Of last
year (which under the present law stands
for four years., and amount, in the sg-
gregate, if collected, to $3.50, 900 for cur
rent expenses alone. This sum we have
spportioned, as shown by the accompa.
nying ordinance, to the departments en-
braced in the budget. Respectfully sub
mitted. JOHN DoSoyAS.
Chairman Common Council Com.
THE ORDINANCE.
The ordinance providing for the
budget was presented in due form, the
substance being as follows:
Whereas, The value of the real and
personal property as assessed amouts to
LIT the assessment of 1875 remains I'M
c~hanged) 1913, 9O9, 697, exclusive Of the
merchants tax; therefore be it ordained,
etc, that the budget for the various de-
partments for 1876 be as follows:
The ordinance submitted gives in this
section the following as the amount of
the budget for 1876, the additional figures
showing the increase or decrease:
Police Department, 5 5000 decrease
$4,000; Fire Department, $4,000 (de.
crease $4,000; City Hospital, $4,000
decrease $4,000; Board of Health,
$4,000; lights and lamps, $25, 900 (de-
crease $1,000; salary accounts, $3.50 0
decrease $4,000; printing account,
$500 decrease $4,000; stationery &C.
count, $500 decrease 5000; expense
account, $4,000 decrease $1,000; public
improvements, $3.50, 900 increase SAL
500); public squares, $1,000; market
houses, $4,000 increase 5000 nuisances,
1920 decrease 5000; contingent fund,
$45,60 increase $l3, 6OO); total budget,
1889 900; total increase, $685. 300; total
decrease, SAG, 300.
Sec. 2 Be it further ordained, That
$47,8l9.39, or 20 cents on the 500, be set
apart aud appropriated to the payment
OF interest on the bonded debt; that 49,.
ia "a, or Is cents on the 800, be set
apart aud appropriated to providing q
sinking fund to retire the bonded indebt-
edness; that 1913, 900, 10, or 10 cents on
the 800, be set apart and appropriated
to the maintenance Of the city schools;
aud hat Sll,954 IS, or 5 cents on the
800, be set apart and appropriated to
The payment Of judgments other than
on bonds and coupons.
Sec. 3 Be it further ordained, That
the ordinance shall take effect aud be in
force from and after its passage.
THAT BRINKLEY PROPOSITION.
The Brinkley proposition came up
again for consideration in the Council.
Mr.. Brinkley proposed to settle his
Charleston railroad bonds Indebtedness
to the city Of 81, 900 by paying the
same amount in Nicolson pavement
bonds and school bonds. The Finance
Committee and City Attorney recon.
mended that the proposition be accepted
the City Attorney stating that not a
dollar could be made out Of Mr.. Brink
ley, and if he died the city could not
realize one cent Of the Indebtedness
Councilman Donovan opposed the ac-
ceptance Of the proposition on the
grounds that on the debt Of SILL OO
owed by Brinkley there was dus also
interest amounting to 1900, which
would make the entire debt about $l23,-
900.
Councilman Hill also opposed the pro.
posed settlement until he was better in
formed as to the financial condition Of
Mr.. Brinkley. BE stated that Mr..
Brinkley collected in this city large
amounts in rents and be should be made
to pay his indebtedness to the city.
The matter was generally discussed,
and was at last referred to a special
committee, consisting OIL COuncilmen
Donovan, BlAise and Otis, and Aldermen
McCloy, COCHRAN and Green.
THE ASSESSMENT MUDDLE.
The assessments made by the City AS
SCISSORS and arranged by the Board Of
Equalization having been protested
against as unfair by a number Of meT-
chants, and the General COUNCIL having
refused at a former meeting to give any
relief to those who petitioned for a re.