Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1879-12-11
OuEeNswARE.
OVERWHELMING KINDNESS.


The Knoxville Chronicle suggests
that the legislature revive the extinct
corporation OF Memphis with the same
municipal powers as other cities. This
is really too kind. Excuse us, if you
please. We have had enough of that
kind of government. Under it all our
enormous old debt was created and we
have nothing to show for it. We hope
to secure reasonable compromise Of
the old debt that will be acceptable to
the creditors and not a greater burden
than we can carry. 1t is not in the
best taste for Tennesseeans outside of
Memphis to taunt US about this old
debt when the people at large
have virtually, and as far as in their
power positively repudiated the State
debt. A reasonable compromise was
submitted to the popular vote; and
overwhelmingly defeated at the ballot
box. Memphis, in the midst of the
late epidemic, and all her troubles and
misfortunes, voted in favor Of COM
promising the State debt at fifty cents
on the dollar2and four per cent inter-
est, but the rest of the State voted the
proposition down. Our city debt is
not more sacred or binding obligation
than the State debt, yet we
are ready to enter into a fair
compromise, whether the Supreme
Court at Washington decides against
the city or not. Municipal misman
agement has been one of the curses Of
the country and we have had our full
share. New York owes about $780,
100000, Philadelphia $40, 5000, Chi
cago s4O,O0O,OOO, and so on through
the list. 1t is not likely that the
present generation will see these debts
paid or materially reduced. 1t is not
probable that they ever will be paid.
individuals are allowed to take the
bankrupt law, and the idea has taken
possession Of communities that public
debts are not morally more bind
ing than private debts. This
is not a pleasant fact to admit,
and we do not mention as a palliation
for defaulting citizens, municipalities
or states. However, we fail to see
why a seyerer rule should be applied
to Memphis by our brethren of the
press elsewhere than to the state
They give us moral lectures by the
yard, and hold up their hands as il
were in horror at the thought Of
Memphis repeating her charter to
avoid paying her "honest" debts. II
is well known to all who choose tC
look at both sides, that the creditors
Of the city had obtained various judg-
ments in their fuvor and we're running
one mandamus after another at rate
which would have soon amounted to
cOnfscation. These fell heaviest upon
the mercantile classes and small tax.
payers, who usually pay up promptly
whatever is demanded. We were
in a desperate strait, and resorted to
an unusual remedy-the repeal of the
charter. We placed ourselves for a
time beyond the reach Of the processes
by which relentless creditors were
binding us hard and fast, or we would
soon have been as weak as the blood
less victims of vampires. We obtained
a breathing spell, but the recurrence
of the fever this year diverted atten
ton from ordinary municipal affairs
and the old debt is statu quo. But
debt or no debt, we want no more
charter or cumbrous machinery oil
local government. The simple form
of government we have is the most
economical, effective and desirable in
the United States. No more Of the
old charter for Memphis, if you please