Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1881-10-08
Nj MATTERS.
Senator Harris on President Ar
tbur---WOrse Water Troubles
Than Those at Nashville.

Memphis Cor. Of Chicago Times.l
During the last week Memphis has
been a dull city, commercially and in
q newspaper sense. Gar6eld's death
has checked business and crime, but
it did not succeed in sitting a food of
oratory, which has been pent up in
the bosoms Of lawyers and merchants.
A meeting ofthe citizens at the Cot
ton Exchange provoked a number Of
second class speeches. The only adj
dress of note was one delivered by
Senator Isham G. Harris, and it was
valuable only because it touched upon
the character Of Arthur. In his
speech Senator Harris spoke very en-
couragingly Of Arthur, and predicted
that he would make an acceptable
President. 1t may be that the Senator
was sincere in his belief, and it may
be that he had another motive. He
has been prominently mentioned in
connection with the Vice Presidency,
and there can be but little doubt that
this position would be acceptable to
him, and, as there is no shrewder pol
%itician in the South, he is probably
already trimming his sails for it.
During and for several years after the
war he was a red hot, extreme Demo
cFat, who believed strongly and spoke
strongly. On the stump no man
welded greater power, for he brought
the picturesque favor ofthe wild back
woods to his aid, and this rude elo-
quence made him a great favorite.
Three times he was elected Governor,
| twice Congressman, and now he is
Senator. He fought long and hard
for the last position, and it was a
proof of his political skill that
he got it. Since he has been in the
Senate bis views have been moderate.
The extremism has passed away and
his frankness and his transformations
energy have recommended him to the
favorable notice Of political foes and
friends alike. There is probably in
the Senate no Democrat who would
be more acceptable tc the Republi-
cans. That he has, in a legitimate
way, aspirations for the place cannot
be doubted. Should there be any
hitch in the choice OF Bayard, Harris
may be pitched upon as almost sure
to be the next Vice-P President. The
ecomium passed upon Arthur was
probably designed to conciliate the
opposite party. The Senate could not
do much better, as Harris is a man Of
terrible energy and unquestioned in
tegrity. The best proof Of this is the
fact that, though he has been in pub
lie Office nearly all his life he is not
to-day worth $4,000.
Memphis has been very healthy tbii
summer, and in spite of the fearful liz
warm weather there WIS not thu
slightest symptom ofyellow fever. TIL
system Of sewerage now in use is tn,
only thing that saved the city. Will,
the streets are fairly clean, there is
certain deadly smell in the air at nigh
which is calculated to produce chill
and fever. A stranger coming to thl
city is appalled, by the "reminiscences
of the yellow fever brought to view a
every step. Certainly the history o
the plague has never been written
Careful and accurate collections O
facts have been given to the public
but a picturesque account has nevel
even been attempted, and the materia
is ample.
1t is a matter for astonishment that
the city is not now full of disease
The w%aterworks here is one Of the
most gigantic frauds in the country
and it is strange that the people dom
have it abolished. 1t is managed BY
a private company, who most rigor.
ously collect all their bills in advance
and always fail to provide what
they promise. The water now j:
turned Of all over the whole city, and
during the entire summer the precious
liquid seldom got in a mans second
stories. The result is that water
closets everywhere are in a most hor-
rible condition, and if typhoid fever
and other diseases are not occasioned
it will be a miracle. II is almost i'm.
possible to do anything against the
company except have their charter
taken away from them, as they have
the sole right to provide the city with
water.