Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-02-09
PROPOSED TAX RAISE.
What the Merchants of Memphis
Have 10 Say About a
Road Tax.

The Merchants Exchange Road
Committee made their report at noon
to-day. Mr.. l.. Erb, as Chairman, Mr..
Z. l.. McGowan and Mr.. Lucas Clapp.
The latter drew up the bill with a
view of having it properly indorsed
by resolutions of the Exchange the
same to be forwarded to the State
Legislature.
The bill now before the Legislature.
it is understood, was drafted by Mr..
Calvin Vance, and was, it is under.
stood, intended to enable counties to
buy turnpikes already built, and to
convert them into public roads, and
not to build the same. The bill, as
drawn by Mr.. Olapp, is designed to
construct new turnpikes, but does not
require counties to participate in the
building business, unless they choose
to do so.
The bill authorizes county courts at
the January term to choose three
turnpike commissioners, one to be
chairman, and one to be secretary,
the latter to receive not more than
$1,000 per anuum, and the others
$3.50 per annum.
1t provides for tax of 10 cents on
each 800 worth of property, and one
fourth OF the amount fixed by the
county on privilege taxes.
The tax to be collected by the
County Trustee, he to be allowed 1
per cent as commission and 10 give
bond for the faithful Discharge of his
trust. The commissioners TO make
the usual oath for faithful perform
anCe Of their duties and to make rega-
lar stated reports of their receipts and
expenditures.
The commissioners by the bill are to
be permitted to buy turnpike roads or
highways already built, or to build
roads, as they may DEEM best. Italso
prohibits the use Of any part of the tax
within corporate cities or towns, but
does not prevent joining of newly
constructed pixies with paved streets
Of cities.
A resolution offered to approve the
bill, was carried with considerable
enthusiasm, and this endorsing meas
ure will go to Nashville with the bill
as drawn by MIR. Olapp, with the hope
OF the merchants here that it will be-
come a law.
1t is expected that the proposed
tax will yield some $4,000 per
annaum in Shelby county and that in a
few years enough will be collected
to have several solid highways LEADING
out OF this city.
Mr.. George B. Fleece made few
remarks on the subject, said he heart
lily Endorsed the spirit Of abe proposed
bill, but wished to increase the tax
to 20 cents, lust double the amount
suggested. lie said the $4,000 per
sAnpm would dWindle to about
$4,000 by the time delinduents
salaries and commissions we're
deducted. The delinaueneies,
be claimed, would be about $4,000, and
salaries to commissioners $4,000; com
missions and incidentals, say 5000
more, and this would leave a sum in
SgMciept for the purpose designed,
Others thought 30 high tax would be-
very unpopular, and that Zoe is
enough, A clause in the bill prohibits
any commissioner from being inter.
ested in contracts connected with
highway building.
An effort to make il obligatory to
expepd the taxes collected in each
civil district on roads within such
district, failed, as it was claimed that
this would neoessitate tho eOmmane.
ing Of eighteen turupikes in Shelby
county, that oplya small piece could
be built eaeA year. They would nOs
star! from any particular point, and
wouldnt 80 far.
Our Representatives al NashvilIe.
i is understood, are of the opinion
that the Legislature will enact a road
law, embodying the main points of the
Dill acted on to>day by the Exchange.