The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-10-30
WHERE PROTECTION PAYS.
1T is A FALLACY IN THE TARIFF, BUT
NOT IN MUNICIPALITIES.
In This Case 1t Is Not for Any Favored
Class, but in Reality for All Alike. and
Serves to Build Up City by an In
crease in Population and Wealth.

To secure immigration and an influx OF
capital city must hold out three strong
inducements, viz
|. Protection to health.
2. Protectian to life and limb.
3, Protection 10 property from fires.
The recognition OF these obligations will
doubtless cut an important figure with the
Taxing District fire and police commission
ers when they come together to make up
their budget for the years 1889 and 1890;
at least that is the impression made upon
an APPEAL reporter by the earnest re-
marks Of Col John f. Randle on the sub
jet yesterday. Said he, in the midst of
general discussion Of the Taxing District
and its future:
zone strong argument made on behalf
OF the new assessment law was that as
property valuations were increased, the
rate OF taxation would DO lowered, and it
is good one; but there are world Of
improvements TO be made in our city. In
the sewers and streets and bridges depart
menis, we should have money enough to
put the city in the front rank. In the one
matter Of paving, money is particularly
needed, otherwise the streets can never be
put in good condition, unless the bond
issue plan should be adopted. The present
rate OF taxation for municipal purposes is
g. 80 on the 800 OF valuation. My opin-
ion is, that when the budget for the next
two years is under serious consideration.
the people OF Memphis will be asked
TO endure the S535 rate on
the increased valuation for an
other two years, and thus give
the board the money so badly needed.
We have grown so rapidly and substan-
TALLY that not less than $1,000 should be
raised for the police department per year,
while the fire department should have at
least Sll0, 900 Should the levy he re-
duccd so "a 20 create no larger fund than
came ia prior TO the operations OF the new
assessment law-as should be done under
ordinary circumsiances-then we could
make no material progress in lettering the
ciiy's condition. The increase in property
valuations amounts, | believe, 10 about
! o. per cent. Given the full benefit Of this
for two years, with changes in the arrange
mcnt TO throw the increase into those de-
parimenis where needed, il would serve
| 20 put US abreast OF the times.
'Do YOU think the same amount hereto.
fore raised for school purposes would be
sufficient
Probably not. The school must BE-
| sustained. The board has incurred LA
| liliiie5 10y erecting new buildings, which
| have no doubt were needed, and II It re-
| quircs IN increased amount of funds {,
meet them, | would not be in favor Of cut
ting IL OIL should the people accede TO tn,
request 10 stand up 10 the old rate Of taxa
/ ton. Could il be done, however, with
out dcirment 10 the well-being Of ih,
school, | would say, let Il go for sewerinl
or paving"
"What about the proposed issuance O
paving bonds TO the amount Of few mil
lions?'
"Taat is project am not prepared {,
oppose, and expect Il will come bcfor
the peOple Tor serious consideration beiOr
many months have passed. / was on tina
committee 10 fund the old city debt, an,
We worked ut il Tor about one year. II /
liuc We mado the bondholdcrs promis
that u they would compromise wo woul,
not a-sumc any more debts 80 longas thei
bonds we're unsatislied. but ia
idea is held by many TIA. on
/
charged by redecming those bonds ihroug
the medium OF new oius bearing les
rate OF interest, aud which would carr
with them no such Obligation. Then "
might zee our way clear TO shoulder del
that would pave the city from end 10 end
AMI thus place Il where Il properly b,
longs. the Queen City Of The South,
ahead Of Louisville and a powerful rival I
81 Louis aud Kansas City. Special pre-
vision could easily be- made 10 kce
mp the interest, take up the bond
~ thew mniur, aud thus interior
with tho workings OF no other depar
mcnl. This is ono side OF the case an
ono Of the possibilities, though recogni,
the fact that Il has iis opponents, aud
auDrd 20 the gentlemen holding the opp,
site view the same honesty OF conviction
aud purpose ! claim for myself. Whc
the question come. up for earnest discus
i0n, We shall 500 Whit W. shall see.
would hard v b. wise 10 stave OF the di
cu.sion til after the cl elton Of tho Dem
cratic ticket"