The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-01-02
A GIGANTIC SCRAMBLE.
THE COUNTY COURT TO BEGIN ITS
JANUARY TERM TODAY.
Various Fat offlces To Be Voted Away
by the Sauires, Who Work Combine
tions for All They Are worth-Idvely
Work Yesterday.

The county court meets this morning
and THE ArPEAL violates no confidence in
stating that there will be quorum OF MIN
bic magistrates on hand before IL o'clock.
This would be a startling prediction were
II not generally known that the "loaves
and fishes" are TO DO distributed. The
scramble will be a lively one, and the com
binations pittcd against each other will be
caution. For instance, Squire w. p
York is living on the fond hope Of defeat
ing Chairman Slaughter for reelection.
His tender little boomlet has been en-
ginecred by Squire Pat Winters and Mr..
Frank l.. Gibson, both CT Hindmsn Ferry
celebrity. Up to Saturday night IL
was conceded that Squire Slaughter
had the whip end in the con-
test, gained by faithful, intelligent
and honest administration Of affairs, and
opposition 10 everything that savored Of
jobs. For this valiant service he had the
support OF the best members OF the court.
There was a gathering Of magistrates in
the city yesterday, and hms,!crs were
among them like flies. Chairman Slaugh-
ter has left bis case almost entirely upon
his record and In the hands OF his friends,
and the working done yesterday was by
theopposition. There il no way TO ascer-
tnin what was done. II matters not with
the average magistrate that the county
court is public concern, and its business
belongs to tho public, ACKNOWLEDGMENT
is their chief end and aim For this
do they form combinations. and vote them
selves all the offices possible.
Next 10 the craftsmanship, the assessor,
under the new law, will be the most inn
portant. The only possibility 10 give the
office to Maj. u. D. McIlenry is by ineli-
gibility Of Squires q. Il. Smith and jack
son. These gentlemen began the canvass
months ago, and secured pledges from
nearly every member OF the court. Az II
was an Office within the gift OF the court,
no one else thought Of entering the race
until n recent date, when pressure OF a
strong character was brought TO bear on
Maj. Mcllenry, under the law stipulating
that no member Of the county court could
hold the Office. II was a cruel blow the
Legislature struck, but the public will APP
plnud II. Tho situation settles down
TO this shape: Squire Smith will
OF course resign, and for no other
Huipont IMAM w HAlht int fuCt.
II the court accepts his rcsigna-
ton, which will Of course DO done. II de.
feated the squire rctires 10 private life. A
great many Of his supporters will therefore
feel under no further obligations TO sup
port him, and from a consideration OF
superior capacity turn TO Maj. McIIenry.
This would DO a beneficial change for the
public.
There are number Of other offices TO be
filled, and candidates enough TO go around.
Among Others there is n pest-house super
inlendent and physician. The former Is
held by Squire Egnew. at n salary Of $500
per year, and the physician receives 800.
For five years there has been nothing for
these officials TO do but draw their salaries,
and II is not likely that they will ever do
anything else. But they must be given
the amount and the people must pony up.
The county court Is great institution.