Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1878-01-14
ISSUES BEFORE THE PEOPLE.

looUAo oAEOA6 AAE LIZ
The time for talking and writing in re-
gard to the municipal canvass has we'll
nigh passed. Three more days after this
and the election will be over. We see
the unusual spectacle Of three cAndi.
dates in the field, each one having a
strong and enthusiastic support, and the
followers of each being confident, apps-
rently, Of success. The claims Of
Messrs. johnson, Flippin and Anderson
have been fully set forth--in the city
press and on the stump in every ward in
the city. The last tribunal will be the
voice of the people who will give their
decision at the ba~llot-box. Whoever
may be elected we shall cbeeriully &C
q%uiesce, and hope to see the next ad-
ministration a benefit and q credit to
Memphis. The interests Of all the peo-
pie are identical. We are all striving, it
is to be hoped, to build up the city,
although supporting different men
aud employing different means.
Mayor Flippiu's friends we're so anxious
to secure his reelection hat some time
early in November they started a move.
ment to bring him out by a call so nu-
merously signed that there would be no
convention called and no organized OPP.
position. The old Democratic executive
committee, composed mostly Of Mayor
Flippin's friends as it happened, a n
nounced that their functions had ceased,
aud called a mass meeting to appoint a
new committe. Mayor Flippin's active
supportersh had committed themselves to a
call, 10 which no mention was made Of a
convention, though many supposed it was
implied, as Flippin had been q convention
man. They refused to take part in the
mass meeting, and brought him out as 40
independent candidate a few days after.
ward. The mass meeting, however, was
well attended, a committee was ap.
pointed, a convention called and held
ia the usual manner, and John
johnson was made the Democratic and
Conservative nominee. The convention
was composed Of as good material and
was as fairly chosen as the one that nom
mated Judge Flippin for mayor, when
John Johnson retired in his favor 10
1916. Johnson nomination was as reg
ular and fair as any sver made in this
county; and if be is defeated the banner
which has so often been the emblem Of
unity and the signal Of victory will have
been struck down by its former friends.
The merits or demeritsof candidates have
been lost sight Of by these gentlemen 10
an effort to secure an Endorsement OF
their hasty action. It's not the necessity
for Flippin's reelection, but the personal
feeling Of his supporters who demand
that their new departure shall be ratified
even at the expense Of party organiza
ton aud harmony. II Flippin wert
elected it would not be two years unit
his supporters would turn on him th,
abuse they have heaped upon their ole
neighbor and kind-hesrted friend, Joht
Johnson. We regret hat this division
has occurred in our ranks, and shall d.
all We csn 10 bridge it over, but not a
the expense Of consistency add principle
In supporting the nominee, a mar W
respect and estesn, and would havI
supported yer knosing his chance
hopeless, we have not found it necessar,
to indulgein abuse or offensive language
We accord TO others the same right o
opinion aud action that we claim an,
exercise. The people are called upon Il
decide not only between men for ohic
but the agencies employed. The sue
cess Of q candidate nominated b
a Democratic faction and supporte
by the whole Radical organization vii
give the Radicals a claim upon that win
of the party in future elections, and pei
hsps lose Shelby county to the Demo
cratic and low tax party o. Tennessee
The Republicans of this State are q uni
for high State credit and high take.
Had It not been for the Democratic rel
s~entatives from Shelby in the legisistur
r--I:--L:i - -
Tue OVhuaVluoto iunuiHS s'.i "outu nav
passed and an insuferable rate OF tax,
ton would have been fastened around on
necks for a generation to come. Shelb
county will need such men in the ne1
Legislature, and they can only be electe
By keeping the Democratic and Conser
alive party together. We look beyon
johnson aud Flippin and Anderson
this contest aud the little places TO |
filed around the successful man. B
IeUng that the people do slso, aud tbi