Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1877-12-19
A NINE THAT DIDN'T EXPLODE.

A NINE THAT DIDN'T EXPLODE.
1t looks singular, to say the least, that
the remarkable petition setting forth al
legged facts in regard to certain certificates
issued to W. B. Greenlaw, jr by Mayor
johnson July l, 1873, as presented in
the general council last night, was
not presented some years sooner. All
the circumstances attending the trans
action we're as we'll known March 2
1874, when W. B. Greenlaw, ST., served
the notice on Mayor League as IN the
18th of December. 1877, when the
attorney in the case sWore to the petition
before q notary public. The petition,
when stripped of legal verbiage and nee
esssry form, states that certain receipts
from Nicolson pavement contractors,
amounting to s9,689S SO, as evidence OF
city indebtedness, we're held by W. B
Greenlsw, ST., as the executor and snr'
viviug partner of VIM. B. GreenlAw &
Co.; that those receipts we're taken from
the papers Of William B. Greenlaw
By his nephew. Wn. B. Greenlaw, jr.,
without authority or transfer about the
2lst Of July, 1873, and presented to John
johnson, then mayor, who issued certii
Gates Of Indebtedness by the city Of
Memphis for the full amounts Of the re-
ceipts, which we're dated from 1861 to
1869, with six per cent. interest added
thereon from the date Of payment, which
payments, at this date, remember, with
interest, amount to nearly $1,000. The
petitioners 90 on to say that the younger
Greenlaw mad no right 10 these GER
tifeates, and pray that new ones be
issued. The point in the document
sought to be made is that the action Of
the city in thus Issuing those certificates
was wrongful and entirely unauthorized.
10 other words, that Mr.. johnson trans.
cended bis authority for some unknown
bat dsrkly limited reason, and therefore
should not be elected mayor. To make
the dramatic effect stronger the petition
vAs placed in the hands Of that ex
esllent and highly respected old gentle
man, Mr.. Elder, who knew nothing Of
the matter until il was presented to
bin yesterday. With the petition was
the notice served upon Mayor League,
on the I'd Of March, 1874. in which the
senior GreenlaE claims the protection
Of the city. The petitioners asked for 4
reissue OF the certificates TO be passed
to their credit against taxes. That ii
the substance Of the wonderful document
which, it was whispered yesterday even
ing, would blow Johnson sky.high; but
like a wet load Of powder, it failed to g
of. The opponents Of Mr.. johnson
could not conceal their joy; they werl
so eager to make something out Off tina
their eountenances beamed with mingle,
emotions Of anxiety and satisfaction
Nov, il Mr.. Johnson violated any ord
nance. statute or principle Of law, tn
fact ought % be made known, but tn
very fact thEi the matter has been pei
mitted to res; for years, suggests that
might have slept on until the last trum
shall wake the quick and the dead polit
clan il johnson had only kept out of th
race. There was an ordinance authoI
izing the mayor, on the presentation {
the paving receipts Of 7. Z. Brown an
others, to issue paving certificates, an
Mr.. Chase stated last night that thes
certificates we're issued under that ord
nance and upon the oath Of W. I
Greenlsw, jr., that be waS the lswfI
owner Of the receipts aud entitled to Ii
certificates therefor. On motion the p
tition vas referred TO the finance con
mittee aud city attorney. Let there be
rigid investigation at once aud 40 earl
report, The attempt TO get up a sens
ton was a splendid failure. The certi
Gates passed into the hands Of other pa
ties,and WI B. Greenlaw, sr. refused to te
fify and allowed judgment to be taken
favor Of the holders, in effect decidir
that the certificates were regular
issued. The matter was carried to Il
Supreme Court and the decision Of Il
lower court confirmed. As far as
can learn Mr.. johnson was in no ma
ner blamed or 10 blame in the matte
Injustice may have been done the be-
Of the Greenlaw estate by one who h
bees cut shortin a will, butit is rather Ia
TO drsg he name Of Mr.. johnson out
a party o hat wrong. The people Q
zoe through sacb q rove as this. It "
not gin.