Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1879-01-15
OUR CITY CHARTER
Synopsis Of Bills Introduced by OuI
Law Makers.

Two new bills of vital Importance to
Memphis have been presented in both
houses of the general assembly at
Nashville, and are known respectively
as I" an act to repeal the charters Of
certain municipal corporations and to
remand the territory and inhabitants
thereof to the government of the
State and bill to establish taxing
districts in the State, and to provide
the means of local government for the
same The first bill is composed Of
five sections, the first section repeals
each and every act Of incorporation
now and heretofore existing, and abol-
ishes all offices created and held under
and by virtue of any of said acts.
Section second repeats the charters
and amendments of all municipal cor
porations of the State having a popu-
lation of $4,000 inhabitants or over by
the Federal census of 1870, and abol-
ishes all municipal Offices held under
them.
Section three makes it obligatory
upon the governor to ascertain and
declare by proclamation to what cor
pOrations the previous section applies
said proclamation to be conclusive
evidence of its truth, and shall be
made within ten days from the passage
Of the act.
The fourth section resolves. back
into the body of the State the popula-
ton and territory of all municipal
corporations heretofore governed un-
der and by virtue of sections 80 to 80
inclusive, abolishes all Offices held
under said sections; and all power Of
taxation heretofore exercised by the
authorities of said municipal corpora
tions by virtue of any of the acts
hereinbefore recited, is forever with
drawn and reserved to the legislature
and the public buildings, squares
%promenades, wharfs, streets, alleys
parks, fire-engines, hose and carriages
horses and wagons, engine-houses, en-.
gineer instruments, and all other pro.
perty hitherto used for municipal pur.
poses, are transferred to the custody
and control of the State, to remain
public property as it has always been
for the uses to which said property ha'
been hitherto applied. And no per.
son holding office under any of the
acts above recited shall exercise any
of the powers or functions of said
offices.
The fifth and concluding section
states that this act shall take effect
from and after its passage, the public
welfare requiring it,
The second bill opens with a couple
Of well written w~hereases, recountinl
the heavy burden of debt and its orr.
gin. 1t then, in twenty-five sections
creates taxing districts, provides tina
necessary taxes shall be imposed
directly by the general assembly of tht
State, and establishes the following
agencies and governing instrumental
ties; A board of fire and police com
m%issioners; a legislative council of tn,
taxing district, consisting of the FRI
and police commissioners and tn,
supervisors of the board of publ,
works; q board of health, consistin,
Of the chief of police, health office
and one physician, who shall havl
been in practice for five years, an in
habitant of the taxing district and 70
FIVE years a resident of the county
a board of public works, consistin,
of FIVE supervisors, three of whom
shall be chosen by the qualified voter
Of the people of the taxing district
and two appointed, and shall serve 70
a term Of one year.
The local government is to be grant
ed power to establish warehouses an,
houses of correction, and to determin
what acts shall be misdemeanors, an,
punish in accordance with laws adopt
ed by them. IL also gives the powe
to abate nuisances, make q~uarantim
LAWS establish hospitals, condemn al
nuisances in the matter ef cisterns
wells, privies and other %erections; t
designate and establish fire districts
to prevent the erection or permit tn
occupancy and standing of insecur
buildings; to improve and regulat
steamboat landings; to permit an,
regulate the laying of railroad tracks
and the passage of railroad car
through the taxing district, and to re
move such railroad track, if it OBJ
structs travel, and does not conform
to the laws of the taxing district; t
make all suitable and proper regula
lions in regard to the use of the street
for street cars, and to regulate til
running of the same, so as to proven
injury or inconvenience to the public
to forbid the opening and digging u
Of the streets by gas or water com
panies, to the public detriment an
closes by a~fixing salaries and defnin
the duties of herds of departments
/. and eurrnndarin9 tho chorfor hv , ,ot