The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-03-25
VOICE OF THE PEOPLE.
Capt Joseph Lenow's Answer 20 ID. r.
liasidcn's Open Letter Addressed 20
Him.

Him.
MKsrms, Tenn, March %, 1888
The Hon. d. p. MADDEN President Taxing District
Dear Sir--I have received and consid-
cred your open letter Of the 10th inst,
addressed TO me.
| am pleased TO find that you disclaim
advocating the Issuance Of bonds for paw
ing the streets Of Memphis, although you
do not 20 TO the extent Of placing yourself
on record as opposing such a scheme.
was also glad TO have your indorse-
ment Of my statement, that ut is haz-
ardous" policy to begin the issuance OF
bonds for any purpose.
II must bo conceded, as you state, that
Il will require considerable money to inn
prove and repair our streets, and that they
are in bad repairs.
But IL must also be conceded that we
now have more paved streets, and in the
aggregate better ones, than we everhad be-
fore, and that We made them wholly under
our recent pay rs you go and cash in sight
policy.
That under Il our city has grown more
rapidly, both in population and material
wealth, than in any other period OF her
history, while the trade and traffic OF its
commerce have grown and extended in
still greater proportion.
its banking capital has kept In the front
Of the procession, aud six new railroads
have come here 20 share in the transporia-
ton Of lis commerce. No 100000 was de-
handed by any Of them rs condition Of
their coming. Two more are now knock
ING at our door for admission, while half u
dozen different railroad companies are
conicnding for the honor Of building US n
bridge. It's population has doubled In the
past six years
No other commercial city in all the south
can present 30 favorable showing; no
class Of commercial business Is less pros
porous By reason Of the condition OF our
streets. Hence Il "A manifest that the want
OF good payements has not impedcd the
growth and prosperity OF our city.
In view OF all these facts, Is II not the
part OF wisdom ~ continue the policy
under which wehaye 80 greatly prosperedl
We may not get such streets as we wish
for some time 10 come, but when we do
-we-..ls- IA s.c, thntwe haye.not
vainly killed the hen TO get the golden egg
| need not respond 10 your question,
''llow would Il do TO have an act OF Jegis-
lature passed that whenever the city de-
termines TO pave n street that the lots
fronting such streets shall he assessed an
ad valorcm tax 10 pay two.thirds OF the
cost OF paving In front OF said lots, the city
10 pay the balance
Our supreme court passed upon n like
statute, declared that II was unconstitu-
tonal, as II was unequal and wanting In
uniformity, hence II would be idle now 10
discuss the wisdom oi such an act.
No, Mr.. MADDEN, steer clear OF such lille.
gal methods and ruinous practices OF the
old city government, and go on as DIR. For.
ter commenced, and you have 10 well
carried on, In improving our streets. with
the cash In sight, and all will be we'll.
Theannual increasing wealth oiourgrow.
ing city will yearly give you much larger
sums Of money than you have had for the
paving Of our streets.
Add 20 this a fair and uniform assess.
ment, and you will have, even upon a re.
duced assessment, the means necessary "a
meet your pressing wants.
There are millions Of dollars OF corpor
ate and other personal property that is moi
assessed; while there are millions more
that IA not assessed NJ onc-iourth OF IL
cash market value.
On the other hand. there Is great In.
equality In the assessment Of real estate
10 great, that In some cases the income
thereon Tor three or four years exceeds the
ascsSed values
Watch after the assessments. Mr.. Had
den, m closely a. You do the men who iail
10 put down sidewalks, and you will find
no need for additional legislation.
JosErH LENow.