The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-12-19
Lively Meeting az the Merchants
Exchange Last Night.
Gentlemen Lock Horns
In Oratorical Combat.
The Same Committee Continued to Pro-
cure Harmonious Legislation - An
Attempt to Pull a Commission
Into the Ring Falls Flat.

Mr.. Robert Galloway called the assem-
blage of sixty-iour intelligent and iniiuen-
tial citizens to order about O'Clock.
Mr.. Percy Galbreath moved that the re-
port OF the committee be taken up section
by section and acted upon. The motion
prevailed, and Chairman Galloway called
Mr.. j. S. Menken, chairman OF the com
mittee, forward to Rad the report.
When the reading Of the first section
was concluded, Mr. Galbreath moved that
the meeting indorse the appropriation Of
the privilege tax 10 street paving. Col.
John Overton explained that heretofore
nine.tenths OF the money raised in that
way had gone for that purpose. There
was no second to the motion, and II was
passed without action.
Mr.. w. A. Collier suggested that Presi-
dent MADDEN, or some member Of the
Council, be called upon TO explain the dis
position OF that money. No member re-
sponded, whereupon Mr. Menkcn said he
had no doubt there was a difference be-
tween the Fire and Police Commissioners
and this meeting Of citizens, since they
had promulgated budget which did not
consist with their views, "a IL were.
Further reading Of the report took place,
which drew rambling discussion that evil
/ IDENTIFY had no definite conclusion within
! the view Of any one present. Mr.. Collier
attempted 10 bring harmonious action by
n motion that the full report be read, and
a committee appointed to confer with the
commissioners on the subject, in order that
the proposition might be- presented TO the
| Legislature without a break in the ranks.
| The motion was put and debate invited.
A small property owner, MIR. Michael
| Fitzpatrick, rose to address the meeting.
lie devoted his remarks 10 n scoring OF the
Assessor and wealthy property owners,
between whom there was u line Of inhu-
ence that could easily be made agreeable
20 the favored class against the poor. lie
did not think the latter could stand a s.. IS
rate.
Col. 0yorton claimed that this meeting
was composed Of soyereigns, whose SER
wants the Commissioners were, and he be-
lieved they should take definite action,
and II the Commissioners afterward de-
sired conferences they should then seek II.
Mr. Percy Galbrcath. Mr.. Elias Lowen-
stein aud others spoke ON the point. In IA
vor Of harmony with the Commissioners
but against a conference, when Mr.. Collier
sailed into Col. Oyerton in n gcnteel way,
and In iavor Of his resolution. lie insisted
upon the point that the Commissioner or
tho committee was wrong and II the Tor
mcr did not know more about the money
needed, where II was 10 como from, etc,
then they should step down and out.
Col. Oyerton replied, expressing surprise
ut Mr.. Golfers speech, and was Analysing
the increase in valuation and higher taxes,
/ when Mr.. Fitzpatrick interrupted the
speaker by an earnest onslaught upon the
wealthy property owners. which brought
the house 90 commissions Of mcrrimunt.
Mr.. Collier Withdrew his motion after
Col. Oycrton had moved 10 lay Il on the
table, and the Colonel then sat down,
when Mr.. Galbrcaih' moved that tho
second section OF the report be adopted.
Mr. II. NJ. Stration, who go, lost In the
confusion aud forgot what had previously
been adopted. moved that the report bc
considered section hy section.
Mai. Fleece moved, IN lieu OF all. that
the report be read aud allow discussion on
Il a. an entirety, AMI action accordingly.
This prevailed, and Mr. Monken proceeded
to finish.
At iis conclusion the Hon. Harry VI.
Hill asked for the taking up Of the flnl
section Tor consideration, but Mr.. W. T.
Wilson moved the adoption Of the S23i
levy, and the appprtionmcnt thereof be
left to the Legislative Council, which In
volycd q rejection Of the balance Of the ~
port There was no second and the mo
ton COLLAPSED.
Mr. Sim l.. Barinls rose 10 a point o.
order, which was TINT all this difculsior
. aud funny business faction against iac
ton, was out Of order lis point was tina
! the meeting had tmnsccnded the object fu
! which II w.s called, aud instead OF maxim.
! recommendations ior street improvement
and extension OF the sewer system, il hnt
gone into regulation oi the cntirc budget
fhe chairman decided the point not vel
taken, aud Mr.. J. W. Nocgoli then move,
for tho adoption Of tho report ~ a whole
! Mr. Collier ccnicl tho floor ON the mo
ton. lie stated thli lac was not IN iayo
l | " high taxes. The property of the cit,
> was not taxed at onc.hali iis value III
would prefer high valuation aud low take
~ against low valuation aud high take.
I | Mr. Collier ridiculri tho assessment q
sl.h01,ON upon pJrsonal property. N
claimed that the meeting would make
' mistake in adopting and apprDpriaiing th
; amount ~ money necessary, without lin.
\ ascprtaining whatiNm needed and whcr
II should 20. Had tho commiiic
: considered and reported upon how not &
u pave aud otherwise improve the city
: could not have sucrccdcd mop CON
plcicly. Upon question from Col Oyui
b, ton tho speaker cnicrcd into an oxplana
Q ton q the bill prcp1wi by him some tim
o agn. lie insisted that his bill did Nc
p contemplate the payment Of onc.third IA
y cosl on Ibis property The payment OF IA
amount 10y his nUlghhoring prupcH
Il owner. and the rclhaining onc.ihird 10 i
q paid by the city on II funds raised By a
Is assessment upon tho sine property. II
= favored ma AL yal0rm tax because a iror
y foot assessment couli not stand. however
lac favored the latter plan. which WIS "a
one adopted 10y alt ih' progressive citi,
Of the country. The .Ooncr We came
that the better u would be for the cit,
n Fay Tor what YOU ~, gVt what you pa
Il for, and all would hc right and wei
4 Property owners In This city had bee
!, paying taxes for sirct improvement {,
:. years, aud had not vvciycd one partic
- Of benefit
10 Col. ovcrion callcl Mr.. Collier 20 or,lc
stating that his Arguments would be-
y order beiorc the J. gslalurc. hut not b
u ioro this meeting, Which WIS merely beir
I. held 20 devise ways ndmcans To- 10 som
y. thing.
y Mr. Collier then moved 20 amend n
:. motion H. adopt the Upou NJ n whole.
X ~ ~ hnyn stricken out of the report th
iloiioa providing 10, Ilic payment o.. on