Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-01-22
OUR BROWNSVILLE LETTER
The QuestiOn of corporation or NO
Corporation worry ing the PeO-
pie of Oar Little NeiahbOr.
Debt COmprOmise-The Liquor Trahie
Delightful HOp-HsjOr WiliO
Haywood.

From the Special Correspondent of the Appeal.l
BROWNSVILLE, Tenn, January 20.-"How
doth the CITY sit solitary, that was full OF
people? Now is she become as a widow?
She weepeth sore in the night, and
her tears are on her cheeks. Among all her
lovers she hath none to comfort her; ali her
friends have dealt treacherousiy with her;
they have become her enemies."-Jeremiah.
This little city is feverish just now over the
question of "corpoI ration. or no corporation"
She sees her trade langnishing, the value of
real estate depreciating, sidewalks rotting,
and horrible state of affairs setting in all
around. Her former municipal board turns
out, from all hear, to have been a minia-
ture Tweed ring. 1t issuee "three barrels" of
scrip, if rumor be true. 1t is even whispered
that all is not sound in Denmark yet; that
the ghost of the defunct government, who
holds the seal, is busy making scrip as
when in the flesh. And that is not all; the
old corporation in its palmy days got tired
of sitting with folded hands; it lopged TO do
something on a grander scale. 1t seems
about this time certain imitation Jay
Gould, having labored, brought forth the
gigantic idea of building a narrow-gauge
railway from this place to a poiot in Mifsis-
sippi The corporation of this distracted
town were dying to help some kind OF a big
scheme. So they helped the one named
under ratification of the hoodwinked tax
payers, 10 tHe tune III DOnus, ci over @1So,uOV
After awhile some OF the bondholders got
hungry, even wolfsh, as bondholders some
times do. -Mandamus suits followed, and
the corporation, pushed to the wall, threw
up its charter. The rolling-stock, rails and
crossties of the unfinished narrow-gauge
were impounded by its swindled
creditors, and the taxpayers of Brownsville
left out in the cold, with this enormous
bonded debt saddled upon them and nothing
to pay it with, in the way OF assets OF the
dead corporation, but a rickety fire engine
and few other old odds and ends. Without
a government, the filthy drinking saloons, Of
course, whose tenure of being had fallen
under the grim shadow OF the 'four-mlle"
abortion, were forced to shut down. Then
the high-toned drug stores (drIg stores are
always high-.oned) took the nasty traffic up
where the saloons left off, and are now max
ing mint of money under the Infamous
prescription dodge. This nice state OF affairs
has driven much Of the former trade OF the
city to other towns for the first thing man
wants when he comes to town Is drink, and
''some to take home;" and what self-respect-
ing farmer is arzious to tell lie in order TO
get a little whisky? In view of all this,
the Board Of Trade last Tuesday, at
its annual election of officers, re-
opened the question of a compromise
with the bondholders and a re-ircorporation
of the city. A. NJ. Austin was elected pres
ident and G. Felsenthal secretary. Many
citizens not members were present upon in
vitation The object of the meeting was
stated and discussed to "tatters, TO very
rage" For some time the board foated
about on the angry waves OF parliamentary
strife without chart or compass. Presently,
however, the gallant Col. II. B. Folk came
to its relief He offered a resolution to the
effect, that a committee OF five discreet mem
bers be appointed to confer with the bond
LII han hnlr lou AZ
terms by way of compromise, and report
back to the board. Then followed more
parliamentary sparring, some of the ambi-
tious knights having their puny lances shiv-
cred to pieces before they would keep quiet.
All seemed anxious to pay the debt, or
large part OF it, but were at loss as to how
they should go at it. Some thought if the
resolution was carried, the committee would
have the power of making contract. But
an able lawer present gave it as his opinion
that the committe could not bind the tax
PAYERS or anybody else under that resolution.
This put a quietus on all further wrang-
ling, and the question was put and carried.
There is much talk here over the action Of
the board. 1t is generally admitted though
that it was the wieest, if not the only, step
that could have been taken under existing
circumstances. What will be the outcome it
is difficult to say. But laying all collateral
issues aside, this step Is an earnest, at least,
| of an intention on the part of the taxpayers
| to save their town from ruin. Other steps
| are to be taken yet of course, before we get
another charter; but that those steps will be
taken, my faith in the solid business men of
| the city assures me.
Minor Mention.
| One of the most delightful hops of the
season was given last Tuesday night at the
residence of Mr.. r. w. Young, on West Col
| lege street. To enter into details about the
| toilets, the music and the supper, would re-
auire column. Mr.. Young and his pless-
ant lady did the agreeable, as usual, in true
"merrie England" style.
| We had big smallpox scare here in the
| early part of the week, but it was found TO
| be hoax, and the timid breathe freer. Who
| knows, though, but it will turn out to be
| case of the shepherd boy and the wolf.
Some of our cultured ton went down Thurs
| day to see Booth. Copies of Shakespeare will
now be in great demand. Verify, Edwin is
| an educator.
Major Will O. Haywood, the veteran edi-
tor of the Democrat, whose right arm was re-
Gently amputated, is getting on finely. If
| ANYBODY doubts his ability, when he gets up,
to take pen in his left hand and make
things just as hot as ever for political knaves,
| they are mistaken; that's all.
| The Rev. Mr.. Gates, the new minister at
the Baptist church, is giving general salts
faction. lie is young man, but an able
| theologian and persuasive speaker.
Yesterday morning early alarm of fire
was sounded The diniugroom of DIR. Cur
rie's house had caught, but it was promptly
extiHguished before any damage was done.
| ITHURIEL.