The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-05-02
Local Meteorological Press Report.
A CITIZENS ERROR


show the absurlity Of the position taken
by this gentleman with regard 10 the steam
motor lines and the land companies. Mr..
Johnston has been urging the Legislative
Council 10 stop tho operation OF these
lines in the city and has now turned TO
the newspapers 10 make his appeal directly
TO the public. Mr.. Johnston, In ascrib.
ing TO these steam motor lines and the
land companies a character hostile 10 the
public interests, makes a very grave error
Ilo says the people who live beyond the
city limits and pay no city taxes should
not be granted such privileges Of rapid in
gross to the city rs they now enjoy by
virtue Of these dummy lines, unless the
owners Of property along these lines are
reimbursed for any damage TO or dcprc-
citation OF property they may have
sustained. Nothing is clearer or wiser
ON this point than the law NJ Il
now stands. The streets Of tho city
are public highways and aro owned by
the people. From the people the Lcgisll.
tive Council derives lis authority. The
institution Of these dummy lines and the
propositions for the sale OF suburban prop |
cny made by the various land companies |
are god-sends TO the city. Rents are too
high, and there Is a great demand from
poor people for good homes convenient 10
their places Of business. The land com.
panies offer the homes and the dummy
lines make them convenient. The extern
sion OF the city and the provision Of nc
oommodaiions for the rapidly incrcas- |
ing population depend upon the en-.
coumgemcnt Of just that sort OF
capitalisiic enterprise manifested In
the organization Of the land com
panies aud the dummy lines Mr.. John.
ston Injuries the city by standing in their
way. AZ property holder Mr.. Johnston
claims that he has been wrongcd. Very
well, the courts are open to him, and the
law Is on his side II lac has been. Lot him
seek the courts and the law for redress.
But Mr. Johnston says that the dummy |
lines do not comply with their charters
and that the Legislative Council made bad
contract. Very well, Let Mr.. johnson make
his plea In court II the Legislative Coun.
ell has made contract prciudicial TO the
general interest, Il can be ~, aside on tho
scoro Of pubic policy. His remedy
IL within his reach, A. Il Ia within the
reach Of evOry citizen. But In the mean.
tine lac should he careful that be
docs not iniurc the enterprises which
are doing 10 much good Tor tho public 1t
iargc. no sane man can doubt that the
land companies are doinga most bcncnccnt
thing In making thcsc additions 10 the city
or hni the dummy lines arr filling want
most seriously felt by the whole oommu.
nifty. For Mr.. Johnston 10 Say tina, tie
residents OF the suburbs shall not be
allowed rapid communication with the
heart Of tho city, because they do no,
pay city taxes, Ia equivalent 10 saying that
the farmers Of the outlying districts are not
entitled 10 drive their cotton wagons over
our streets because they do not pay city
taxes. How long iocs Mr.. Johnston sup.
pose tho city would las, II such con.
diiions should obtain. Every business
man In Memphis wants tho city 10
gov and the population IN increase. yet,
according 10 Mr.. Johnaon's theory. the
only way that could be permitted wouldBc
10 allow the new comers 10 pile In on top
Of the old rcsidens after the Chinese fash.
Ion. No, Mr.. Johnston, you are utterly
wrong. TnE ArrEAL has had inanyscyer
things TO say Of the street car companies,
but TnE ArrraL Is not opposed to street
cam. Public policy demands that there
shall be street cars, and dummy lines aud
railroads. II, In their operation or csiab.
lishmeni, any one Is injured the courts
will tell him 10 what compensation he Is
entitled. II they do not keep mp their
tracks, i they do not comply with their
charters and the municipal ordinances,
they musi DO made 10 dose. But to seek 10
-dop them, TO proven, them from filing
tho ends for which they were organized, to
put the advantage Of ono individual against
that Of whole community, would moan
TO stop all development and progress
When men buy property they take a Ger.
tain amount Of risk. They cannot pre-.
sun,e upon immunity from those individual
sacrifices upon which that development aud
that progress depend. THH APrrAL al.
mirs and congmiulatcs the city upon the
energy displayed by the founders Of these
dummy lines Jccognl1Ing that they have