Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1883-04-25
THE COUNTY COURT
Leyies a Tax to Make TurHpikes, and
Agrees 10 Bear Half the Ex-
peBses OF Paving
Poplar From Main to Front and the
Alley West Of the Courthouse
The Pcerh0use.

The County Court yesterday took up the
question Of levying the tax authorized by
the Legislature of ten cents on the 500 Of
taxable properly for constructing turppikes,
macadsmiz.d aud graded gravel rosds. The
motion to levy the tax was voted down,
probably through the influence of the Lime
Kiln Club" whose doirgs were noted in yes
terday's APPEAL. The club had fortunately
left town, snd unawed by their presence the
court subsequently, took
SOBER SECOND THOUGHT
On the motion Of Justice Alex Jones the
early action was reeoDsidered and the levy
vas ordered, and 10 addition 10 this a levy
Of ten cents on the 800 WAS made for high
way purposes in the country districts. Mem
phis therefore pays ten cents on the 500
and the county outside twenty cents. The
highway tax is payable hall in money and
half in labor.
PAVING AROUND THE COURTHOUSE.
The committee appointed to report upon
the ACCESSIBILITY of the county helping the
Ts1ing-District to pave Poplar street from
Main to Front, and the alley west of the
courthouse from Poplar TO Exchange, rec
commended that the county bear oDe.half the
expense OF The paving, which must be OF
Metropolis gravel, the rock now in the alley
to be used for gutEering, and the work 10 be
done under the direction Of the Taxing
District engineer. The report was adopted.
RAILROAD TAXES.
A tax of tive cents on the 800 WAS levied
for payment of the mzndsmus on Memphis
and Raleigh railroad coupons, and for cur
rent coupons.
A tax OF eight cents on the 500 was levied
to pay Memphis and Ohio railroad coupons.
LITIGATION AND PRIVILEGE.
The aciIsn of the court fixing the rate OF
privilege tax on tipplers and the county tax
on litigation was reconsidered, and the fol-
lowing rates substituted:
Tipplers in cities of 5000 inhabitants or
over, $50 per annum, payable quarterly;
in place not city or town, or 10 > city or
town OF lees than $1,000 inh abitanis, $40 per
annum, payabis quarterly. Litigation tax
in criminal cases, 81 so on each case.
THE PooRHoUsE
MEMPHIS, TENN, April 2s 1883.
To the w5rshipful Court of Shelby county:
As one of the committee appointed to report on
the p0orhouse building, agree with the report as
| submitted by Justice Bledsoe, with the following
exceptions:
First-As am informed by the Building Com
miltee, the two unfinished buildings referred to
by him will be completed when the insane depart
/ ments have been perfected.
seeond.-For heating pparatus to heat both the
are suitable and necessary, an not able to Judge
Third.-In regard to the architects bill, think
/ the Building Committee are the proper ones to say
| Respectfully, A. R. POPE
The following is an extract from Justice
Bledsoe's report on the same subject:
The grand jurys report on the poorhouse is
quite full, and for this committee to report upon
| every suggestion would tax average Justices
| patience. The jury's commendation of the county
superintendent is Endorsed. Order, neatness and
comfort prevails in and sreund the poorhouse,
| save to the vieiously insane raving mania s.
who as yet have not suitable quarters. Hence the
structures OF the grand jury that the condition OF
the sick. deerepid ana insane is a shame and dis
grace to the good people Of Shelby county," sets
the Golfer too deep. In the accompanying reports
It will be seen what effort has been made by the
county to provide for the helpless insane. and too,
| what failure has been made up to this good hour
The bui ding is provided for heating fues and,
with q furnace. can be made comfortable should
the CRATES fail to accomplish the purpose. And
the water Ia the basement complained OF, we
| iougd upon inves tigation to be temporary and
easily remedied. The basement of the building
is dry aud eommOdous, furnishing storage for
| turliips, potatoes etc.
The Recommendation of the grand jury "that
the Poorhouse Commissioners, each one SNAIL have
fra ssrses = yslee dsiail a. llng 10Th
indorsed by Your committee. The plans and
c s;oa are undsrsseed e Be The iden
approved by the committee and adopted by the
court. The wards deliueate on the plan for the
inslne have not been erected. The court ordered
$1,000 additional to the highest estimate of the
| architect. and that its cost should not exceed
4
cost no more that The appropriations asked
for were ordered paid out OF the amount already
| appropriated The buildings we consider good
substantial structures, the work good, except the
hoors and locks, and IL the finances of the county
shou Iae Sesl ap,sy ot charity for the poor
county. Upon either side of the main building
are massive structures delineated on the plan fol
heaters for tn insane wards, which cost scarcely
less than $1,000 each. These pillars stand out OF
wing of the building as a taxpayers monument O
the folly of divided court in their effort to pro
vide for the helpless insane. Between the two hal
arisen a splendid residence for the poor when 6
cheaper structure would have answered the pur
pose. We deem the intention of the court was &c
provide for all the Improvements with the appro
priaton of $780, 600. while, with the architects bal
ance of S4O9 the cost amounts 10 $50 s9l 80, with
out any building for the insane. Your committee
snce that the Building Committee agree to
give him five per ceat We think he
should want no more than has been paid
Council OF S2340 so, we recommend that 1t be paid
The action of the committee in exceeding the
amount appropriated by the court may be wise
prudent aud best. We ind the buildings exceed
IN cost the order of the court, and the wardsfsl
the architect, have never been built
In conclusion, your committee would recon
mend that the drug store at the poorhodse be pro.
vided with counters and shelves That iron cages
for the vicious and sneoyernable be placed in the
two rooms u moe which surround the monu
Other Improvements needed, but your com.
B. C. BLEDsoE.
| 4hO pCNiitth VI tuC diSAllcSt, MI. IL "
Jones, for $500 additional compensation wa.
rejected.
MINOR MENTION.
Robert E. Losgue was appointed notary
public.
An order was msde allowing fees on all
inquests of lunacy, except those held by
President D. P. MADDEN, OF the Taxing Dis.
trict, whose bills were rejected.
County Trustee Harris was empowered te
collect the highway tax in the Fourteenth
District for 1882, IN place of Louis Erb, who
declined to serve.
A petition of Coroner Spelman for 5000
for services rendered az ez o6icio sheriff
during the interim following toe death O.
Sheriff Athy, was referred TO the attorney
who reported that such claims could bs con-
sidered only at the January term. The at
torney's report was adopted.
The court adjourned over to the FIRST Men
day in July.
BALTIMORE, MD.-Dr. Irwin II. Elderidg,
says: 81 would recommend a trial o.
Browns Iron Bitters in all cases of anaemit
debility or when tonic or appetizer is indi
Gated"
FIOYd's Restaurant
l. gradually and steadily increasing in thu
good graces Of the public, until it has be
| come the resort of the best people.