Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-01-15
fIEMPHIN APPEAL
JANUARY Is, 1889
THE OLD AND TIE NEW COMMIs-
&IOHERS.

AhE OLD AND THE NEW COM MIS-
SIOSERS-
The old FIRE and police commissioners are
about to retire from their labors, and when
the history Of the troublesome days which
DIR. d. T. Porter, John Overton and NJ. Burke
have experienced shall be impartially writ
ten, it will be seen how Just and well merited
is the credit bestowed upon them for duty
well and wisely done. When they entered
upon the discharge of their duty enterprise
had been checked, confidence shaken, the
entire business fabric of the city shattered TO
its foundation. a fearful epidemic had left
the city shrouded in pail of gloom. They
found the business interests of the city pros
,.atei, and loss of hope led to anxiety a1d
despair. They saw that these troubles arose
from abnormal causes, and without money
and without credit they commenced the work
OF extricating the city from the slough of des
pond; and now that they have retired from
the old board, it is the accepted verdict of all
that they have met the unenviable duties
imposed upon them with courage and
prOmptitude. They have been faith
tul, watchful and honest and deserve
all the pleasure to be derived from
the consciousness of having the conf
dence and respect of grateful people. The
new commissioners of the legislative coun-
Gil will enter upon their duties under more
favorable auspices. Elected by no party,
they viii be hampered by no pledges and
bound hg no promises. David p. MADDEN,
who will succeed to the presidency of the
board, is a man of energy and business
capacity. His efficiency in other po-
sitions that required executive ability, and
especially his recent labors as foreman of
the grand jury, have inspired the people
with confidence, and his career will no doubt
show that it has not been misplaced. Mr.
MADDEN will have faithful auxiliaries in the
persons of Mr.. Burke and Richard G.
Graves. They were members of the old
board of commissioners, and by their eff
fciency have shown that they will continue
10 be a tower of strength to the city govern
ment. The responsibilities assumed by the
new legislative council are grave and oner-
Gus. ~The successful management of
city like Memphis, beset by innu-
merable embarrassments,- requires at all
times close attention, watchfulness, care
and wise Judgment. 1t is to be hoped
that the city has been safely piloted through
its greatest endorsements; but in the i'm
mediate and remote future there will be
heavy drafts upon the administrative ability
OF the new regime, for they will be called to
consider and act upon many important mat
tiers affecting the interests OF the city and in
volving the expenditure of large sums of
money. They cannot expect to satisfy every
one. Every taxpayer viii want his street
paved, and every failure will incur the old
complaint and charge of favoritism All
the streets cannot be improved at once, but
the commissioners will no doubt place the
money at their disposal for this pur-
pose where it will do the most good.
Many things requiring time for the develop
ment of their benefits, which an impatient
public, often swayed by passion, prejudice or
selfishness, cannot or will not appreciate. In
such cases duty will call for the exercise OF
high moral courage, and all such drafts
should be duly honored. There should al
ways be economy in the expenditure of pub
lie money. No citizen should be compelled
to surrender to the tax-gatherer more of his
earnings than is needed for an honest and
economical support OF the government. But
a niggardly parsimony which seeks popular
ity at the expense of the health, comfort,
safety and prosperity of the city is as much
to be deprecated as wastefulness and extrav-
agance