Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-06-04

it We would relieve ourselves from the obi
I'm Of Republication.
Judge J. W. Clspp said that he had
drawn up a series OF resolutions which ne
wished TO submit Tor the consideration Of
the meeting, but before reading them he
made a telling speech in opposition to and
warning the citizens sgainst any measure or
proceeding that had for its object the set
Ting OF the debt in any shape or form in the
name Of the Taxing District government, or
that il BE- in any way made responsible FOR
IT,. He referred with much emphasis to the
troubles that brought about the destruction
OF the old city of Memphis, and the delusiye
promises implied or expressed by the bond
holders in all the efforts made by the citizens
in good faith to get rid of the burden Of
debt that had nearly crushed the life out OF
this people Judge Clapp declared
most positively that he would never give
his consent that this government should
ever be legislated into a condition
that would place it at the mercy OF
the bondholders. Judge Clapp referred to
the remarks Of Chancellor Mcdowell in ref
erence to the character of the bill pending
before the Council for ratifcation-in sub
stance: "Why object to the nature Of the
bill when the creditors are pledged TO abide
by the compromise it is intended to briug
about?" The judge said settlement made
in that way would be suicidal, aud could not
De permanent. We must be relieved from
the harrassment and prosecutions We endured
under the old government, and the grasp OF
the bondholders would have upon US if we
we're reverted to that condition. They would
say eve have you now; you are liable Tor the
old debt and we will make you pay it." 4
settlement under void act would be ne set
Element at all. l appeal TO every man who
hears me If we would not have been ruined
If we had not escaped from the disasters
that befell under the old government. We
admit that this debt must be paid and shall
be settled in some way. He referred TO in
terviews with the bond holders, whom he told
that while the citizens owed this debt, there
were higher obligations resting upon this
community than paying debts. He called
their attention TO our condition; that soon
as we had recovered from the effects of the
multitude oil disasters that had fallen upon
us, we were ready to make an effort to settle
our debt. At the same time, while We did
not want to cheat anybody. we would not
allow anyone to cheat US. He believed that
bill was framed for the express purpose of
identifying the new government with the
old one, with the view to bridging over the
difficulties that stood in the way OF the
bondholders so that the marshals, with their
mandamuses could march over and fasten
them upon us. He declared that this COM
munity was no repudiator, and opposed any
measure Indl DdQ ludl It's ODJSCl.
Clspp then read the resolutions, as follows
and moved their adoption:
ResoIred, That we, as citizens and taxpayers
Of the Taxing District, appreciate the impor-
lance to us as a community OF speedy, sat
isfactory and final adjustment of the indebt-
edness of the old city of Memphis, and do
hereby declare our Willingness TO agree to
and carry out any agreement that may be
made to effect this object that is reasonable
and Just; provided, that in efecting such
settlement two things are kept in view, which
we regard as Of paramount Importance: d.
That the basis and terms Of settlement shall
be such az we can comply with without in
terfering with such sanitary operations as
necessary to protect the lives and health
of our citizens. % That in making the
settlement the Taxing District shall not be
party to it, nor our present city government
held responsible for said Indebtedness.
ResoIued, That we regard the act OF the
last called session of the Legislature provid-
ing Tor a settlement of said Indebtedness as
Objectionable, because of the ambiguity in
its provisions, and of its doubtful validity
a legal enactment, but above all because
it imposes upon the Taxing District direct
legal liability for the debts of the old city,
and exposes us to the evils and harrassment
that We sought to avoid by a repeal of
the charter, We regarding the preserva-
ton of our present form oil government as
indispensable to our safety and prosperity.
ResOiped, That committee of sixteen be
appointed by the chairman of this meeting,
composed OF prominent taxpaying citizens,
whose duty it shall be TO confer with the
creditors of the old city, with a view TO
agreeing upon the terms of a settlement of
said Indebtedness as shall be mutually salts
factory, and as shall be Incorporated in a bill
to be submitted, by consent, to the action of
the next Legislature, which shall dispose
finally Of the whole matter; and when such
an agreement is found practicable by the
committee, they shall, before final action,
submit a report of their proceedings TO a
citizens meeting, to be called by the chair
man of the committee.
Several seconds to the resolutions were
corded, and the resolution TO adopt was car
ried by an almost unanimous vote-but two
or three faint responses in the negative being
heard.
Judge Estes then announced the following
committee called for by these resolutions:
Napoleon Hill, J. w. Clapp, John Goodlett,
J. r. Goodwin, DR.. d. T. Porter, John w.
billiard, John Overton, jr., L. NJ. Hill, n. NJ.
Jones, H. T. Elicit, J. NJ. Goodbar, Louis
E. Randle and w. S Bruce.
Mr.. John Walsh moved that the name of
Colonel Michael Magevney be added to the
committee, to which that gentleman very
positively objected, stating that he was per-
fectly satisfied with the committee as it
stood, and would cheerfully abide by what
ever they saw proper to propose or accept.
The meeting then adjourned.