The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-05-03
STRICT CONSTRUCTION.
PROBABILITY THAT 1T WILL FOLLOW
IN RIGID SEVERITY.
President Hadden Foresees Good Sized
Ripple When He Begins to Act Upon
the Clamor for Living Up to the Writ
ten Law

The decision OF Chancellor Estes in the
final Taxing District case pending in his
court was a continued theme for discussion
yesterday. Strange that it should be so,
but in nearly every instance the opinions
expressed were tinged by the animosities
prevalent during the most heated days Of
the contest. There were claims of "we
are indorsed," 1--WE told you So" from
those who waged the war against the Dis
trict authorities, parted with 81 don't see
it, at was a. victory for u.s." and so on,
from the other side. Pride in prophecies
and convictions thus caused revival Of
the somewhat bitter feeling which every
one hoped had completely vanished.
This revival Of what should have been u
defunct issue had visible effect upon
President Hadden. Instead of the Gus
tomary genial and healthy smile playing
hide and seek over his classic features, an
APPEAL reporter found him yesterday
badly in the dumps, so to speak. He be-
gan the conversation by an attempt 10 in
terview the reporter, as follows:
"What is your view OF all this diversity
OF opinion by the newspapers as to the de-
cisiOn2 And further, what do you think
OF the decision itself?"
The reporter evaded the double-barreled
Interrogation, and the president continued:
81 have read the decision over five times,
and am foecibly impressed with the con-
yiction that IL calls for strict construction
OF the law as written Then, too, look ut
the editorial expressions OF the ArdlUicIie
and Ledger. They want strict construc-
ton, as the following from the latter paper
shows In other words, We have all along
held that the president OF the Taxing Dis
trict had neither the right nor the power
10 do aught else than follow in all things
the written law. We dwelt upon the dan
ger TO this government OF the president Of
the Taxing District constituting himself a
judicial rs well as executive authority
Though the Attorney General may be sat
isied that tho officials contemplated no
wrong, and the people in general con-
tent with the way affairs have
been managed, the evil arising from
the disregard Of the written law
is none the less great. Besides establish
ing precedent which In all probability,
their Successors in Office might rely on
hereafter TO the dctriment OF the city, no
ultimate benefit could result from such q
course. II the laws are too stringent II is
only because the evils thereby provided
against are correspondingly great. And,
again: III will be seen that the attorney
general and the grand jury and the crimi-
nal court had sufficient grounds for their
course and that the people OF Memphis
owe them debt Of gratitude. Though
acquitted by n popular verdict, the chan
cCllor saysthe Taxing District officials have
done wrong, and therefore he perpetualy
cniOins them from ever assuming author
ily cmtnlry to the plain provisions Of the
law"
Continuing in a reflective sort OF way,
the president said: 81 am in office 10 serve
the people and obey the law. II seems
they want that law strictly construed and
enforced. Then | sce no other way 20
faithfully perform my duty but 30 do ~
commanded. According To the written
laws the city can be nothing but still as u
graveyard on Sundays, and free from gam
bling houses, etc, all the time. Aside
from being president OF the Taxing Dis
trict, ana also judge on the police court
bench. and as such, responsible for the cX-
ccuti0n oi liz ordinances. llencciorth, ~
far as my duty extends, | shall enforce
them. The gambling houses and houses
OF IN iaino must 20, | suppose. On
Sunday ! reckon the street cans, dummy
railroad trains, trains on the big roads,
newspapers. and everything cntailing ordi-
nary ,ily labor in tho city environments,
must hc discontinued. The city must be-
sellrl mp. This Is not my choice, Il Is not
INV idea oi building upa city, but the laws
and commands are 20 that effect. Prola.
bly, the people have not considered the
iaf-wnrhing effects Of the Judgment, and
incline TO the belief that there's going "a
be- some excitement when carried into cx,
ecuiiOn.'
AMI there was q look Of resignation on
The pr sidcnt's face that showed lac iclt th,
iulce VI his irving sIlnalIon.