Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1880-02-07
LOCAL POLITICS IN 1868.
Humorous Letter Taking on the
City Fathers.

Looking over an old stray copy Of
the Memphis Argus Of July IA, 1865,
we find a humorous and sarcastic
communication headed, Letter from
a Disappointed Office eeker--Out-
pouriugs of his Heart The take-otf
on some of our city dads will be under
stood by a few old local politicians,
and the humor will be appreciated By
all. The fast and loose way in which
things were run for a few years after
the war brought on our subsequent
financial distress. We give the let
ter entire, introduction and all
The following letter, containing the
heart out-pourings of a d%isconsolate
Office seeker, is published for the ben
eft of those who put their trust in the
promises Of men expecting at some
future time 10 aspire to official hol-
Ors, and as a commentary upon the
gratitude of that species OF animal en-
titled genus homo:
No. 221 PINCH DISTRICT,
July q 1860.
EDITORS ARGUS: ! am a poor man,
having commenced life shortly alter [
vas born (say about forty years ago);
have no nearer relatives living than
my African brother-all others, male
and female, being extinguished by the
war. l have lived in Memphis many
years, much to the benefit of corner
store and cellar house keepers, thus
planting a crop from which ex-
pected to reap much popularity and
many city warrants in due time.
Through spiritual influence | man
aged to bring before the public a great
many. if not a majority Of the honor
able aldermen of the present board
a task once both arduous and re-
sponsible, and for which | ought TO
be amply rewarded, as the many nights
I spent at the billiards. the gems, the
gardens, the cellars and the evergreen
saloons. will testify-not to speak of
the many days wanderings at South
Memphis, Chelsea and the one hun
dred and one picpies. Nor need | re-
mind you, Messrs. Editors, Of the
services | rendered these honorable
gentlsmen on election day, having as
the public is aware, voted early and
very freqpcatly during the day, and ia
every ward ia the city.
Alter the election, | applied to my
honorable friends TO be appointed to a
city Office, and, in conformity to the
notice of Mayor Park, / filed my ap-
plication, and drank slings and sWashes
and iced wines with a majority Of the
honorable board, and received positive
assurance that | should be appointed
aud thaoking me for my influence and
exertionS ia their behalf, and while
familiarly pOking my ribs with a digit,
would say, old fellow, you know my
election depended entirely on you, and
/ am bound to vote for you in
council.
Judge of my surprise Mr.. Editor.
not TO say my Indignation, on learning
the result oT q called meeting of this
honorable board. to hear, that not
withstanding that | was instrumental
In bringing these gentlemen before the
public, and afterwards ia electing
them, aud notwithstanding the positive
assurance given me by al least a ma.
jOrity OF them that | should be an.
pointed to Office, my claims were ca
tirely ignored, ms services d~isregarded
and nary city warrant will | reap
from my crop SO skilifullV planted. /
heard that an honorable ALDERMAN at
that meeting proposed that, as The
city Of Memphis was bounded on he
west by the Mississippi river, on the
north by Chelsea. on the south by 1t.
Pickering, and on tho east by the State
Of Tennessee, they, the honorable al
dermen, should consider ths city O.
Memphis a farm and 30 treat it, auc
portion it out to the servants Of the eta
60 be worked TO their benefit. Another
honorable member proposed to q knot
Of honorable members, if you give me
your assistance TO elect my friend Mr.
Bungeye, superintendent street rail,
roads, | will pledge myself 10 vote fol
your friends. TO another member
he said that it was demonstrated to ;
mathematical certainty that the watel
in the Mississippi river was continual
ly going down toward New Orleans
and unless something was done 10 re.
tain a reasonable share Gift tha: uavi.
cation would be much injured, it MOI
entirely stopped, to the great detri
ment OF Memphis. Asa remedy, b.
would make a motion in coun
oil to have 4 water gauger appoint
ed, whose duty it would be to repor
weekly to tho honorable board Of al,
dermen how much water went dow
South since bis last report, and bog
much Of what went down ought 10 b
AaHt a. Mata rkta $50. a.A L.. IA. -.