Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1877-12-22

To The Editor Of the Ledger.

To the Editor o. the Ledger:
An effort is being made by some Of
Mr.. JohHson's opponents to create the
impression that all of the merchants in
Memphis are opposed to him, and sup
port the present incumbent. / wish to
enter my protest, not for myself alone
but for hundreds Of others, many Of
whom have expressed personally to me
this desire-not caring to take any hand
in the controversy, ether than voting on
the nth of January, which we propose
to do, as we believe, to the interest Of
ourselves and city. Think l can assert,
without the fear Of successful contradic
ton, that three fourths Of the mer-
chants favor Mr.. johnson, and will vote
for him for mayor. When | say mer-
chants I don't simply mean a few Front
street merchants whs have from some
cause or other thrust themselves for
ward, aud not only claim (if we are TO
believe the many reports we hear) the
right to select the candidate for mayor,
but to represent and control the mer-
chants in the interest Of their candidate,
but | mean the merchants Of Front,
Main, Beal, Shelby, Court, Madison,
Jefferson and all over the city who make
a living in the city, and who have their
all here, and whatever surplus they have
spend il at home, and not at fashionable
watering.places in the summer, as do
most of the 6rst-named gents; who be-
lieve Mr.. johnson to be decidedly the
best man for the position, having served
US faithfully four years. And when we
look back at the time Mr.. johnson as
sumed control Of our city and the two
administrations preceding his, we are
unable to understand why there is any
opposition to his reelection. He found
the scrip Of the city almost worthless, no
money in the treasury, laborers and
creditors receiving nothing but scrip in
the doubling up process Of giving las |
am told) three, four and sometimes five
dollars for one by way Of making
good the losses claimed" in
scrip. Mr.. johnson found our city
in this condition when first elected,
aud, notwithstanding the many difficult
ties staring him in the face in regard to
city affairs, he, by bis superior business
tact and knowledge, brought our affairs
out Of this chaotic state and placed the
city on a cash basis, aud not only paid
for all improvements in cash, but paid
all laborers their wages as they earned
them and paid over one million dollars
of our city debts in the way Of interest
Oh our public debt, which since has been
increasing at the rate of 100000 per
year.
If Mr.. Johnson could accomplish so
much then, with his limited knowledge
Of city affairs, what can be do now after
having four years Of experience with
four years more of close observation of
the management Of city affairs by other
parties, which finds the city government
in as bad, if not worse FIX now than then,
with not sufficient credit to buy provis-
ions for our hospital2 This being the
case, then why oppose Mr.. johnson again
taking charge of our city and placing US
on a cash basis, which we must continue
with our debt compromised at fifty certs
on the dollar; and this, we believe. Mr..
johnson can and will do as well as Mr.
Flippin or any one else, and certainly
manage other matters in connection with
our city much better than any one did
before or has since.
Believing this, q large majority OF
little men merchants do, and will sup
port John johnson for mayer.
MERCHANT.