Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-12-10

Of Memphis may not be out Of place. In the cast
of o'Connor again.t Memphis Is Lea. page 7S0), 4
was decided that suits brought against the city o.
its successor and prosecuted to Judgment. The
ditors Of the old city OF Memphis have ayailed
tent, ana nave recovered Judgments in the United
States Circuit Court amounting 20 oFeT $4,000
Up 10 this dets no r-eaus have been found BY an
process OF court 70 compel the levy Of taxes by
Lle District 10 pay any Of the old city deDts
Court of the United States on appeal from the
United States Circuit Court, well as the queS
ton of the validity Of a large amount OF memphis
city bonds
referring to the report of my predecessor in
Office, the Hon. D. I. Porter: The object N Great
Ing the Taxing District was not 10 repudlate the
debt OF the old city of Memphis, but TO have a
cheap and efficient system of government, so as TO
pave the streets and to enable us to pay that DEBT
upon terms that may be agreed on by eomml ssion-
eTs that may be appointed and the creoltors-
The Legislature at of its fate sessions did ap-
point commissioners, and passed an act empoH-
on the dollar. This settlement. If it could be
effected would be highly satisfactory TO the people,
nus 20 isf tne Creditors nave isi 60 70 Ieeosnize
subsequent session of the Legislature bill was
passed authorizing the settlement Of the debt at
fifty cents ON the dollar, and six per cent inieres
coupons receivable for taxes but not 10 be In force
until ratified by the Legislative Council OF me
Legislative Council and represen tatives of the
creditors, at which the bill discussed. and 1t
was relectQd by the council, principally on ae-
count OF the coupon feature and also technicaities
in the BILL Neither was fhis bill satisfactory TO
the creditors The rejection of this bill by the
Legislative Council OF the District lett the thirty
three and one-third se tlement bill still in force
There Is manifest and increasing desire on the
part of large majority of our citizens and prop
eEtS headerS- that this cebt shonld PC settled ia
our cirzens 10 pay, and at the same time accept.
able 10 the crelitorss Should this be carried out
successfully by any act which the Legislature nay
deem proper 10 pass this incubus, which hangs
over us like the Aword of Damocles," /" w9uio De
removed. as long as the debt remains unsettled,
whether the District is declared liable by courts
or not, 50 long will the energies of our citizens De
1t is Worthy Of remark that the pTesenI form OF
goYernment becomes more and more Satisfactory
brous and So far superior to the old municipal
form of government that will venture to say no
thinking citizen desires its dissolution. The OLD
establishment of many Off es which are not now
required 1t was complicated because many were
in the hands of a few, who have even less power
than their predecessors and cannot increase the
I5 Pe 9Sro1g6 m the % medium Of the the TgiIatare @ It
was burdensome because the levy of taxes had 70
the requirements Of a cumbrous and COM plicated
government. Again II has been sufficiently proven
that the present method OF Getting officers by the
old system of election by wards By this means
better and more capable men can be selected
has fulfilled the duties of his office in a highly
satisfactory manner to the government and Us
citizens. In all matters affecting the Taxing
District government, from its incipieney TO the
present hour, he has been its warm friend, de-
fender and legal adviser, and he is more fami.laI
with ali the legal points affecting its interests than
any member Of the government.
deagoT at ali times 10 administer the affairs OF the
government in an impartial manner and upon tne
strictest business principles Nothing mss Deen
undertaken without the most carefnl conslueIa-
ton in all of its bearings financially OF otherwise
The suppression of crime. which comes within my
ject which has particularly interested me- My
aim has been to suppress, so far as lay IN my
power, such crimes and misdemeAnors rs are "a
pable of suppression nd to regulate others wnleh
public policy regards necessary or at least III
possible TO stamp out entirely.
made regarding the necessity for increasing our
facilities in certain departments, permit me 70
observe that the fact that il becomes necessary 10
make these changes Is in itself an evidence OF re-
newed prosperity, The census OF the present year
crease which renders it imperative that the
strength of the government should be greater, IN
order that 1t may successfully bear the ADDED pul
den and satisfactorily discharge the new cares
which have devolved upon it.
All my recommendations nave been made WIN
due defersnce to the wishes OF the citizens OF the
Taxing District and am sure they Will meet win
their appreciation. 1t is unnecessary for me TO
dilate further upon any other brarch OF the gov
The exhibits. to K, which were prepared by
the secretary, Mr.. c. L. Puilen, will give all the
desired information in detail. BE has done his
work well and all the required data viii be
ence:
All of my endeavors have been ably seconded
py tne Legislative Couuell Wnicn was slec.eu vn
January 9TH last, and indncted into ofiee on tne
18th. 1t is composed of Messrs. N. Burke, X. q.
Graves. James Lee, jr., NJ. Gavin. Henry James,
Chas. Kney and Lymus Wallace These gentle
men have taken an active interest in all matters
aec ting the health progress and prosperity OF the
District. Messrs Burke and Graves as my asso-
ciates ia the Boari of Fire and Police Commission
ers have acted with me in all measures for the
pgblie good, aud to their many suggestions OF
public policy I acknowledge myself deeply IN
debted. To your excellency ana the wisdom OF
the Legislature, commend the destiny OF the
Taxing-Distrfct, feeling assn ed that this new
form of government created and fostered by the
Legislature of Tennessee as an experiment, and
TO which the attention OF the whole country is di
rected. will continue TO receive the encourage
ment heretofore bestowed upon it. l have the
honor to be your obedient servant,
DAVID p. HADDEN,
Prpsidant Rnard of Ere and Lice Commissioners.