The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-01-13
SHALL THE WORK BE DONE
PRESIDENT MADDEN TALKS SUCCESS
lively OF THE CITY'S NEEDS.
He Favors Practical and Liberal
Policy, and Is Anxious to Carry 1t
Out If the People Say So-Memphis
No Longer Village.

terial wealth the practical and surface in
dications which mark or should mark,
large and prosperous city. That there isa
great work TO be done in the way of i'm
proving the streets by paving, OF insuring
the better health Of the city by practical
and sufficient sewerage, the public accom-
mediation by lighting the streets, and the
protection OF vast property interests by in
creasing the force and effectiveness OF the
fire and police departments, there can be
no doubt. That there is both healthy
public and private spirit among all classes
of citizens which Acknowledges, and is
willing to help on TO contamination these
much needed improvements, there is no
doubt.
Have we an official administration which
Is capable OF accomplishing these ends?
There can be no doubt that we have such,
and the following interview with Presi-
dent MADDEN, the executive head Of the
Taxing District, shows most plainly the
recognition OF these facts by the present
administration, and n willingness to push
then to actual contamination.
n reply TO questions from IAN APPEAL
poiilo
in question, he said:
sAs TO whether ] think the police force
ahould be increased, j say that II certainly
should be increased much beyond its pres
cnt numbers"
GLOW about the fire Department.
81 think il should be increased TO at
least two more companies; that is, If prop
crty owners are not satisfied to pay much
higher rate OF insurance than heretofore"
Just at this time pale and bedrenched
middle aged man, thinly clad and SILVER
ing, interrupted the line Of interrogation,
but served as a suggestion on another
point, which might have been omitted
Said the new visitor 81 am just from
the hospital. | am not sick enough to be
permitted TO remain there, but / have
lung troubles. ! can work and am willing
20 do most anything, but have no heavy
clothing TO be about in such weather as
this, and want 10 see il you can't give
me something 10 do indoorsr
Mr.. MADDEN replied that he had nothing
whatever in the way OF work, but advised
the applicant 10 90 TO the station-house
and stay until the weather got better. As
the stranger left the room the scribe, max
ing use OF his suggestive appearance, asked:
"Mr. President, don't you think Men,
phis should have better hospital than il
has?'
II certainly do" said he. "The last
LEGISLATURE gave us the authority 10 sell
the present grounds and buildings, and
move 10 more suitable location. 1 want
TO see this done. We should go at least
two miles further out and construct more
eommodious quarters. But let the build
ings be on the came order. We do not
want brick structure, but frame ones on
cheap plan, so that il We had very
virulent contagion the buildings could he
destroyed without much loss. Hospitals
frequently haze 10 be entirely abandoned
on account Of contagious diseases"
DO YOU think the city should have q
new s,ation-house?'
- 1T needs it, but am not in favor OF n
new police station building while the
streets and sewers are in their present con.
lition. The money can better be used on
- the streets. Ii has also been urged that
the city should have police patrol wagon.
Il will not have IL until IL is shown that
the maintenance OF patrol wagon is less
expensive than the employment OF few
more additional policemen. ! do not
mean TO say that the city does not need
such q thing, for IL most assuredly does,
but IL costs money!
GLOW much more sewerage does the
city necd?"
"As much more as IL has already, al
least $780, 900 more should he expended in
that direction"
GLOW much more street fund isnecdedf
IL think that not Ess than 81 100000 {
year for the next FIVE years will be needed
10 properly pave new and repaye old
streets. | mean to pave and gravel the
streets we now have opened. II the city
x.sa,,II .xFs.anI fhfa within ftaa
next five years, we would then have {
city in fact and In name. But the answer
10 all your inquiries involves a question o
money. i do not wish TO bc understood a
saving that this amount Of money will b,
expended. ] am only speaking Of what
according 30 my idea, IL needed. Til,
question Is one Of tax levy, and conse
qucntly rests solely with the people, who
have II 10 pay
"Now, for Instance. II owned all the
property in this city, would frst start on
10 raise s., 600, 600, 10 be expended in th,
course Of five years on streets, sewers an6
lights. Within that time, and by the ju
dicious expenditure Of the amount,
would expect 20 increase the value Of m,
property S20,0OO,OO0. Tie present lew
Tor sewers aud paving will not moro thar
up and in repair the streets We nj
IitNt DhNAus III OAi'l NNihrf ~
the rock, gravel and paving material nov
upon the streets and alleys Is just abou
enough TO put down permanent founda
ton on which 30 pave those streets. / an
decidedly In favor Of better payements
The time has come when better class o
paving is inpemiiycly demanded. Thi
takes money, and money can only be got
ten by taxation. This is a question for tn
people. II they want fine police, fine fir
engines and n big, roomy hospital, will
good beds and downy pillows, they cal
only get them with money. Money solve
the question.
III am for more police, more iircmen,
better hospital, more railroads more dun
my lines, more electric lights, more flower
in the front yards, beautiful shade trees
finer horses and carriages, four womc
can't be improved on, but who is going 3
furnish the money TO pay for thcsel tn
people. am in favor Of all these thing,
and III do the best l can 10 have then
served in style II the people say they wan
them"