The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-08-26
VOICE OF THE PEOPLE.
The Bond Question.

To the Editor of The Appeal:
1t has come at last The people will not
learn except by hard striking lessons; they
will not stop TO think until they are con-
ironted with startling, staring facts. These
startling facts came To light at Yesterdays
meeting OF our Taxing District commits
sioners, when Mr. MADDEN announced
that our lights will have TO go out, and tho
hospital will have to be closed for want Of
funds; and what is worse still, work on the
streets will have to be stopped. Every
man feels that this will never do. The
streets must be fixed, the hospital must DO
kept open; the lights must not be extin-
guished. II our commissioners cannot
raise the money to tide us over until the
taxes begin to come in, then our large real
estate owners and merchants, and bankeu
will have 10 come forward and advance
the money necessary for the maintenance
OF our city government. This is tho first
thing 10 be done. The next fact is, that
every man, woman and child in Memphis
must concede that il Is impossible to pave
the whole city, to enlarge the fire depart
ment, 10 increase the police force, TO ok.
tend and complete the sewerage system,
10 build a new courthouse and new
school-houses, aud do lots OF other things
ON cash basis. II cannot and will not
DO done in this way II we try IL all
our lives. II takes big money to
do all these things, and mako Mem
phis finely paved and beautiful
city. II the city had been turned over 10
the Taxing District authorities with streets
all paved. curbed and severed, they might
possibly have had easy sailing 10 repair
and take care OF them. But every one Of
us knows that the Taxing District began
with big liabilities and the assets were only
made valuable because Memphis i'm
proved. Our present bonded indebted
ness is, believe, 81, 500. 600, and am sure
II Memphis could assume such debt when
her assesscd valuation was SlI, 900, 900, sl,e
Is better able now 10 owe double the
amount OF her present Indebtedness. But
| do not propose that We add 50, JO0, OOd
more 10 the debt OF the city, but | am
heartily in favor OF making new bonded
debt Of $4,000 for the sole object OF
paving the city from end 10 end in first.
class style, Strengthening out streets and
alleys and beautiiying the city generally.
would Just like to let our commissioners
have that amount OF money, and
We may rest certain they would
perform wonders with H. A large
force Of PAYERS could 10 put ON every
street and In two or three years the city
would be nearly completely paved, and
will have added TO the value Of property
more than five times S2,OOOOOl I cannoi
understand why anybody should object &c
the issuance OF these bonds for a specific
purpose. ii am not mistaken the
amount yearly collected from paving tar
Is SO, 1909, but since the assessments have
been raised, the paving tax next year may
amount ~ $4,000. This amount would
bc Just enough 10 pay the interest OF Z
per cent. on S2,0OO,OOl Then why moi
60 ahead and prepare this scheme and
have the necessary laws passed by om
next LEGISLATURE Ia, there be mas
meeting Of citizens 10 discuss and delbe.
rate upon this all important subject, and
let that meeting appoint largo and com.
potent committee, whose duty Il shall Ia
10 bring this matter 10 q successful issue
For my part ! am willing to share with ms
fellow citizens any additional tax that maJ
arise TOT the benefit oi our beloved Blut
City. ZIG