The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-05-02
MIR. Johnston and the Land Companies.


To the Editor Of The Appeal.
Having come recently into an unsought
prominence before the community in con-
nection with my opposition to the use Of
team locomotives on our streets, trust
my writing few lines on that subject over
my own signature will not be taken by the
people as evidence that desire TO perpet-
uate that prominence, or by you, as indi-
eating that will often ask the use Of your
columns for continuing this controversy;
but an advertisement Of land company,
on the 18th page Of your large issue OF this
morning impels me 10 call the attention OF
the taxpayers Of the Taxing District, as
well AZ the members of the city council,
TO the clause in that advertisement, where
II says mo city taxes, yet you enjoy all
the privileges OF the city," Now these
land companies, which own these outlying
districts, for the sole improvement Of which,
these steam locomotives are allowed TO
rush through our streets, TO the danger OF
life, to the disturbance OF quiet, and the
detriment OF property, these owners, / say,
are in large measure residents Of, and
taxpayersin the district, and many OF them
arc friends OF mine, and they have
every right in the world to buy property
wherever they can, and improve Il all
they can, and 10 make large fortunes In
their operations, but there is a very con-
siderable crowd OF us here in Memphis
who pay the taxes with which these "priv-
ileges' are paid for, who have not the
means to invest In these large land specu-
lations, and 80 the thing does not work
like the mutual insurance companies Of
which the agents used TO tell us. 1t does
not make Ms all rich at the same time, and
| want 10 call the attention Of the tax.
payers at large 10 the fact that our streets
are thus being monopolized, and not only
monopolizcd but entirely given over 10
the use Of these steam locomotive lines in
order that they may make the property
outside OF the city increase in value and
give them "all the privileges Of the city
while they pay no taxes 10 the city," the
president Of the 1aXing District himself
admitting in open council that the loco
motives caused such an obstruction on
the streets over which they pass that he
never dared to drive over them, and We are
thus, besides having our property damaged
| 30 per cent for the benefit OF those out
| siders who pay no taxes, yet enjoy all the
| privileges Of the city," We are also de
prived Of benefits which fall 10 all the
rest OF the citizens alike. which accrue as
the result OF the'Careiul inspection which
his honor makes on his rounds. and we
know now why Madison street, from Or
leans 10 Manassas, has been lett SO long
impossible over twO.thirds Of il width.
Mr.. MADDEN has mover SCENT. lie dare
not drive over II, and still he tells me 10
the courts and got my remedy for tho ills
which he himself has inflicted upon me,
and all for the benefit OF those who pay
mo city taxes, yet enjoy all the privileges
OF the CITY,"
II is but fair TO say that these remarks
arc not aimed especially nj the particular
land company whose advertisement has
attracted my attention, rs It's property Is
not reached by the lines using locomotives,
but the advantage OF having "no city
taxes" j. held uptis an induccmcnt 10 all
wOuld-bo purchasers of building lots by
the owners OF this outlying property, and
We appeal 10 our city father 10 turn his no.
,cniion 10 the care OF his children, whom
hc has sworn 10 protect, and let the out
sidors take care oil themselves Make them
pay for their privileges"
The present position OF the head OF the
Taxing District government, as | under
stand u, Is that lac feels compelled TO
stand 10y his contract" with these steam
locomotive railways Tor the next twenty
| five years, no mattor nj what damage 10
| the ciiizcns oi the government over which
| hc pusidcs, aud that, too, when that con-
tract allows for violation Of the law Of the
State ui Tennessee; and M for thc benefit
Of those who pay, 'nu city taxes, yet en-.
! joy all the privileges OF the city"
\. d. JOHNSTON.
M.U,,.lfa Anil N