Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1880-12-29
ShOpkeePers len Out Srlahc Geld
and aud.

lngS OF the last legislative cOuncll
meeting l notice that the committee
on street-paving recommends the east
aud west sides of Main street as the
most urgent Of the prospective work,
and states furthermore that the paving
Of Beal street, and others, is to be de-
termined hereafter by the amount Of
private subscription to be raised on
said streets, etc. We, of Beal street,
we're Aattering ourselves with the hope
that at least a small portion Of the citys
revenue would be expended upon this
scandalously neglected thoroughfare,
particularly as we lately called the
attention Of the honorable legislative
council to- our dilapidated condition.
For a time it seemed indeed that odT
grievances we're receiving attention,
but now the case appears as hopeless
as ever.
If the question is to be determined
by private subscriptions along Beal
street, the project may as we'll be
abandoned entirely, and better recon.
Gle ourselves to the fact. Some few
may perhaps be willing to contribute
to this purpose, but the majority Of
the shop-keepers are not able to make
such donations nor can it be expected
of them, as they do not own their
places ofbusiness, and very reasonably
are not anxious to improve the prop
erty Of their landlords, at the risk of
having their rents raised ia coHse-
quence. If tho residents along Adams,
Shelby and other streets donate liber-
ally for such improvements, they
thereby enhance the value Of their
own property, which is not the case
with a Beal street merchant. Yet the
fact should not be ignored, that these
same merchants pay a very handsome
sum into the city's treasury annually,
in the shape Of privilege taxes, and
for this reason, if for no other, are en-
titled to something better than pools
of reeking filth in front Of their estab-
lishnents the year round. Some,
tOo,paid their sewer tax loDgbefore due
10 the hope OF some little Improvement.
Absolutely nothing has been done for
Beal street, yet next to Main and
Front 1t is by far the most fr~squented
thorOughfare, with the principal mar.
ket situated upon it. Not a single
crossing has been granted us, in spite
ofthe fact that the entire street from
Main street to the market is an unin-
terrupted quagmire. The sewer
trenches have never been repaVed,
and in place of cutters we have deep
gullies which render the approach Of
vehicles to our stores next to impossi
BILE, and thus our trade is driven away
Our petition called special attention
to this fact, and a committee was ap-
pointed to investigate, and that was
the end oft.
Why are we thus entirely Ignored?
The west side Of Main street may,
perhaps, require r%e-paving, but if
Beal street were but in half as good
shape we would be more than content
Every one who has the future Of this
CITY at heart desires the present gov
eminent perpetuated, and breads the
possibility Of seeing it pass into the
hands Of professional politicians. But
suppose n o this class, aspiring to
municipal honOrs, we're to address us
Of Beal street thus: The present
government is a good and honest one,
but what's it doing for your It is
identified with the large, wholesale in
terests only, but you are entirely too
small a fry for them. You are insig-
ni6cant shopkeepers, and must abide
your time till it deigns to take notice
OF you, j, on the other hand, am one
Of you, understand your wants, and If
you will help me into Office, will see
to it that justice is done you" Such
an argument has been used, / believe,
and would il not seem a somewhat
forcible and plausible one2
Yours, etc., +.