Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1883-01-12
LETTERS FROM THE PEOPLE.
A Question for the Pastors TO Answer.
To the Editors of the Appeal:

A Quesiion for the Pastors TO Answer.
To the Editors of the Appeal:
The geodly number of people in this city
who have not utterly bowed the knee TO the
Bsal of worldliness, who still believe in the
power of prayer aud the communion of
saints, are surprised and deeply grieved that
the usual observance OF the Week OF PRAYER
kept IN concert annually by all Christen-
dom) has been, thissyear, allowed 10 go by
default in Memphis. Why is this? Who is
responsible for what seems, to the uniu-
formed lay mind, culpable negligence? Are
our Christians tired of praying? Is Men,
phis past praying for? Or is the beautiful
spirit Of unity dying out among our churches?
Are We TO silently drop out OF the ranks as
Christian community and make no sign?
MEMPHIS, January II, 1888. NJ. C.
The Right Kind OF Security for State
Officers 10 Give.
To the Editors of the Appeal:
The late defslca'ion! BAH why not call
it BY the right name? The late robbery of
the State treasury by NJ. I. Polk, following
upon a series of similar robberies in our
town, that of Mclean, Woodward and Ander-
eop, by the two first of the county, and by the
last OF the poor widows and orphans, and
some similar mistakes in cur sister State of
Arkansas, lead one to inquire if there are
no means OF securing trust funds so that
there will be no chance of the State, county
or corporation losing anything by the un-
worthiness of their 6ducial officers. As the
laws are now, the bonds given by such
officials are either straw bonds or, If the
bondsmen are worth the amount they have
put their names down for, and if called on
TO pay their forfeit, they usually en-
ploy sharp lawyers 10 plead that
thew wer'nt on that fellows bond,
but on another fellows bond, or that
the bond was out OF date-was wrong in its
construction, and was not binding anyhow,
or that "the cows hadn't come home" Other
lawyers agree with them, and the State,
county, or city-the people-lose their money,
the criminal (uo, the unfortunate Victim who
stole iD delays his trial a lew years till the
matter is nearly forgotten in the rush of
events, has change of venue or two, and is
honorsbly acquitted.
Now, 1t seems 10 me that the United
States government has pointed out a way BY
which such trust funds may be made per-
fectly secure, and yet work no hsrdships on
anyone, in their requirements from national
banks 10 secure their circulation. When
Mr. John Doe is elected treasurer and makes
his bond, with Smith, Brown, Jones, Robert
sou and others as his bondsmen to
the amount set opposite their Dsmes, let the
law say TO the bondsmen, place United States
three per cent. bonds TO the amount for
which you are surety in our hands, your
bonds shall be numbered and registered, SO
that they can be stopped if stolen or re-
placed if burned, and you will draw the in
terest the same as if in your possession.
Prove your faith in your friend John Doe
by your work, and we will be glad to have
him discharge the duties and draw the pay
of the Office. This would secure the funds
and work no hardship to anyone.
ZENO L. ASHTON
MENPHIs January IL, 1875.