Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1877-04-09
TIE srREErRAILRoAD CONTROVERSY
HOW IT NAY BE SETTLED.


TIE srREErRAILRoAD CONTROVERSY
HOW IT NAY BE SETTLED.
1t is some years since the LEDGER
first called attention to the derelic-
ton of the Memphis street railroad
company, its mismanagement, in
difference to public convenience
and opinion, and utter failure to
regard the provisions Of its charter
and contract with the city. From
time to time we have stirred the
subject in the hope Of bringing
about a reform for the benefit Of
the public. But it is an uphill
business to tackle a rich, close COR
poration. The other papers Of the
city, until recently, remained silent
on the subject, and now when the
issue is pressed toward a practical
conclusion they seem to favor the
monopoly, if not to give it real sym
patty and support. This they have
a perfect right to do, but we men
ton the fact as a part Of the history
of this controversy. Public senti-
ment, we feel assured, is against
the company, both on account Of
excessive charges and palpable yio-
lations Of the law in maintaining
distractions on the public thor
oughfare, This sentiment is due
in part no doubt to the persistent
efforts of the LEDGER to correct an
evil and a wrong, but the people
who ride every day can see and
Judge for themselves. If the track
we're properly laid Of fiat, modern
rails as in other cities, and the pave
ment kept in good repair between
and for two feet beyond on each
side, no assertion of ours about
rutS, high rails and rickety tracks
would have any effect. Then peO-
pie would say we were either grossly
mistaken or trying to raise a COM
motion about nothing. Thus far
no intelligent, d%isinterested person
has said either. The condition Of
the track from Chelsea to Fort
Pickering and from Main street to
Elmwood Cemetery speaks for itself.
The LEDGER of Saturday contained
the almost exclusive Information
that City Engineer Meigs reported
to the general council Friday that
the track was in many places
in bad repair, and at some
points a nuisance. City Attorney
Walker made supplemental report
suggesting that a bill might be
sued out to have the charter de-
clared void. We were satisfied lone
since that this could be done BY
any citizen, but regarding a good
street railroad in q tecming city
like this a public necessity Wa
chose to urge reforms and improve.
ments, hoping that such as neces-
sary would be made in due time
But now that the company insist;
on collecting a higher rate Of fare
than allowed by law, on the grounC
that the recent enactment of tb,
legislature may prove unconstitu
tional, and perslstently harnesses al
passengers who decline to be i'm
posed upon, the next thing and tn.
proper thing in order would be t
move against the charter. Thi
coal of fire upon the terrapin's bac-
might make it move. The best eyi
dence that the road pays is, tina
none of the stock is for sal
at any price. 1t. is not eve
quoted in the market. Whe
public streets or roads al
given up to a company for any pul
pose, it is always with the unde.
standing that the public is to
benefited as well as a few indiyiC
uals. Some years ago the Men
phis Freight Company" was cha
tered. Its operations on the blu
would have partly obstructed IL
streets and the leyee in front of I'll
city, although beneliting a larl
class Of the public. Popular fec
ing became 50 strong against ii
enterprise that it was abandoned
When the Memphis City Railroa
Company was chartered in 49,
the fare was limited to FIVE cent
The company had a law suit wit
parties who procured another cha
ter, and if we are not mistaken, Il
plea was set up that the Memph