Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1883-01-09
THE DEBT rHEc1rxormEsrHIs

the last hVe especially, il would be a
reasonable aod tair settlement, and they
would willingly accept it. But to It's accept
2nce they attach conditions which it is pro-
rnPsSsd, weuuderstsnd, very soon 10 lay before
the psople for their acceptance or rejection,
- at mass-meeting to be held at some con-
Ssnisnt place. The arguments advanced by
tSose who favor this plan are
Flra-That the debt is an nincubus tha in
Its unsettled condition, weighs upon the en-.
ergies Of all glasses and clouds the very
promising prospect before the people OF the
Taxing District.
Ste0nd-Thst judgments have been granted
by several courts against the Taxing Dis.
trict az the successor and heir OF the city OF
Memphis for the debts OF that city; and
Ihrd.-ThSt the courts are now busily
searching for wsy TO force the satisfaction
OF these judgments; which, if they can ac-
complish it, will crush all our hopes by
precipitating nearly 100000 for immedi-
ate payment; and
FOUrth.-That 10 escape this cruel fate The
people Of the Taxing District should give
their consent to the passage of a bill de-
volviug upon the Taxing District Commits.
sioners the settlement OF the debt OF the city
of Memphis according 10 the Fippin COM
promise by issuing the bonds CT the District
in lieu OF those OF the city at fifty cents of
their fsce value and bearing six per cent
per annum, the coupons to be acceptable for
the tax.
The APPEAL admits that the debt Of the
city Of Memphis ought to be settled, and it
believes that to fund il on the bsss OF the
Flippin compromise would be both reason
able and equitable. But it objects to one of
the conditions because it is unreasonable
and seems to cover purpose aimed at the
existence of the Taxing District govern
ment.
Frst.-We admit that judgments have
been piled mp against tho Taxing District
for the payment of the debts of the city Of
Memphis, and that they wear an ugly and
forbidden look, Notwithstanding appear.
SssS57
k<sond.-The courts will never fad way
10 compel the Taxing District Commission
ers to levy a tax to pay them, until the tax
levying power is Conferred upon them by
the Legislature, power not likely to be
presently granted. The courts cannot usurp
the powers Of the legislative and execu-
tive branches of the State or national GOV
ernmenis. They can only compel officers
to perform their functions and do their duty.
They cannot increase those functions nor add
~ rka
missoners cannot levy tax.
Ihird.-The Leg islaiure cannot confer
upon the TsIing-DistricL Commissioner
powers more extended tn an these it can con-
fer upon any other set OF commissioners
therefore no advantsgs could accrue TO the
crditors by conierring upon them authority
to settle the debt unless it be the covert one
of making The Taxing District responsibls
for the deb, and Il US completing the chair
which they have besn so irdusiriously at
tempting 10 forge with which to crush th,
energies of the people Of the District, putin:
an end 10 all farther improvements ant
making them the prey of ringsters anC
shavers again.
FoHrth.-FiVe commissioners, withou
salary, can be empowered to settle the deb
on the Flippin basis OF compromise, to issu
the bonds and pay the interest emi-annually
the coupons to be made receivable for tn
debt tax, if that is permissible in view of ih
decision of the Supreme Court in the on
hundred-and-three case.
Ftth.-These commissioners could be EN-
powered TO do every act in the premises ths
could be conferred on those of the Taxing
District. The Legislature would, OF cours'
levy the tax, which would be collected b
the tsx-collector, and be- paid over to tn
y commissioners to be paid-so much to tn
sinking fluid each year, aud 70 much for ir
.sssest The bonds to bear on their backs III
f61ftext Of the act of the Legislature en-
powering the settlement and to be issued i
denomination OF, say $25, 500 aud 500.
Sirth.-The Taxing District governmer
was organized TO avoid the complication
and annoyauces of this debt. To comp'
the District to assume it, no matter what th
pretext is, would be to break in upon th'
purpose, weaken the government where it
strongest, COW the seeds Of distrust thl
might eventually lead to lie death and ope
the way to return TO the old mayor an,
alderman system, with its coruptionS an
abuses, lite scheGers and its rings.
SsUsnh.-Three years of careful test ha,
proven tha, the Taxing-Disrict is the mo
responsible, strongest, safest and most &c
nomcal system of government ever devise
for municipalities, and therefore it chou
not be tampered with under any circur
stances nor for any reasons. 1t is all that
should be-. II is a complete and harmonic
whole, and to touch it by amendment wou
only be to hazard theconfdence the peop
have in it and jeopardiz, its existence.
Eishh-The Endorsement by the Taxin
District of the States provision to pay Il
debt Of the city of Memphis would be simp
an attempt 10 gild refined gold, an absu
attempt on the part Of the helpless deblc
who has nothing, to indorse the ability
the friend who has assumed 10 settle
debt. The compromise can only be effect
BY authority of he Legislature, and the Il
TO pay tbs coupons ana creating sinki
fund, can only be levied by that body. L
issuance OF the bonds, therefore, by the Tia
ing District commissioners could not q,
anything 10 their value. II issued by
special commission they would be Just
valuable, because issued by authority OF t
Legislature, sustained by a special tax
/. pay tbs coupons ssi create sinking fu
4 for theil gradual liquidation.
1sosss 10 sum up the people OF the TaxingD
= trict are willing to pay the debt OF the C
of Memphis on the Flippin compromiss ba
Of fifty cents on the dollar and six per ce
interest, the compromise bonds to be issu
by commissioners to be specially appoint
for that purpose, and the interest 10 be p;
by them once every six months, sinki
fund 10 be created for the ultimate liquid
tion of lhe debt; and they are alec will
that the Legislature shall attach every p
elble condition necessary TO the security
the creditors and 10 strengthen the bon
but und-r no circumstances to connect
Taxing District with or make it response
for the debt
To the Taxing District government, OF
three yeMs al work, We owe all the inpro
menIs 10 street paving snd sewsring hat
have. Il has expended for these purpo
more than 100000, and has put dow
Eup-rH system 0. sewerage and paved i've
or more miles cf streets and alleys, besi
improving the levee. For the SO, 900 900
taxes paid, and the debt made In the 81
three years from 1927, whsn the city
incorporated, 10 1879, W. have nothing
show but mile Of two of paved alleys a
the remains of the rotten Nicolson pa
ment. This is a fact painful to contempls
but il is one that should be constsnlly k
before he people Of the Taxing District,
remin them OF the value OF their new g
Al ernneut aud ihsi they should not consent
I'd 81 g ,f,.. 80 q.