The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-11-28


Mr.. Menken opposcl the amendment.
The resolutions should not be handicapped
in that manner. The voice Of other peo-
pie than those attending this meeting
the clerk, mechanic, laboring man, who
make Memphis their home-men who can
not get away during the summer months
who have to stay here epidemic or no eDi-
people should be heard from
alao, and the whole matter should DO re-
ferred TO greater mass meeting.
Mr.. John Martin opposed mortgaging
the future for the purpose OF getung up
temporary boom. Why should we mort
gage one-tenth OF the value OF the city,
Why should not this meeting instruct the
committee not to report bondsY
Judge j. b. Heiskell agreed with Mr..
Martin in attempting 10 guard this meet
ing against compromising us in favor Of
morigagng the city, and in favor OF bonds.
II these things have to be done immedi-
ately why il can be done only with bonds;
the resolutions have been artiully drawn;
he favored the proposed amendment.
4. b. Turley--lt is a very important
question. and this meeting shows the deep
interest felt in the matter. He favored the
amendment offered By Mr.. Martin. There
is no doubt that il is question OF gravest
doubt whether these bonds can be issued
or not. 1t would result in litigation. The
Flippin bondholders, nOn-resldcnts, would
not stand it, but would go into the courts.
There il not O city with which we
compete that begins to have the
debt which rests upon US today.
He referred TO the debts, valuation and as
sossmonts at Louisville, Cincinnati and
other places 10 show that no comparison
can be drawn between them and Memphis,
and 80 with Chicago, Milwaukee, ST. Louis,
Kansas City and 81. Paul.
Let us do something, however. We
have funds ut command out OF which we
can raise money without any increase OF
taxation or debt. We have 100000 due
for back taxes for paving purposes, privll.
ego taxes and other SURPRISES, IN all
amounting to about SjJJ,OOO Tor the next
two years-S50,000 Of it will complete the
sewer system, while the remainder can 90
into street paving. Memphis has 100000
worth of real estate. Why not sell II and
build streets and sewers! Why build q
city hall when We cnnot Afford II? Let
us put all this money into sewers and
streets for tho two years " come and not
increase taxation or debt.
Judge Q. w. Hei5kc.l Conditions con-
front us, not theory. We have to levy
1000 for interest and sinking fund on
our present debt; also q wafer tax, light
ing tax--in all We will have $3.50 on our
budget, in addition 10 what We have now.
We cannot issue bond legally. The
Flippin compromise bonds prohibit such
an Issuance, and the bondholders will be
protected. So long rs there IS one Fhppin
bond out, you cannot issue one bond. The
holders Of these bonds, amounting to az
bonds, arc still Outstanding, having never
come in, and the holders say that they
will enjoin, II necessary. We claim nearly
81, 900 people, when the record shows that
We have not s., 900 inhabitants, and nearly
une-half OF these are negroes. We are
pledged TO stand by the settlement with
the Flippin bondhollersa and, rs wise men,
We should stand 10y IT, am in favor OF
paying ms we 20, and taking the money
out OF our own pockets.
W. 4. Collier Yas opposed 10 Mr.. Mar
tins amendment aud was opposed 10 the
issuance OF bonds lie favored doing
something; We all realized the necessity
for action. The committee should only
report ~ 10 what's necessary. He believed
in front foot assessment The Supreme
Court decided that riront foot assessment
is unconstitutional but that compelling
you 10 pave your sidewalks was constiiu-
tional, or Il was constitutional TO enforce
payment for paving for n two-legged ami
NAL but unconstitutional 10 enforce pay
ment for pavement for iour-looicd ami
NAL. II we can't have front foot asses
ments or taxing districts 10 enforce pave
ments, then he was In favor OF bonds, OF
not till then. lie was opposed 10 water
companies, gas companies and plumbers
tearing up payomeuis whenever they saw
IT,. Lot the committee make reports and
present them 10 another meeting ior dis
cussion. lie therefore moved TO lay Mr..
Martins amendment ON the table, but
Withdrew the motion Tor the present 30 "a
20 give all q chance 10 speak.
Luke A. Wright The question before
us II, shall We aid S2,O0O,O0O or $780,.
COO 10 our bon led d1bt? This is a repre-.
sentative meeting. and We are ready tot
/ the question; We all understand IL. II
/ has been fully DISCUSSED In the news
papers. The bonded debt Of Mcmph!i
/ today il largely Ia excess Of any other cts
/ In the United Siaica Tho Nicolsor
paycmen. was 30 bring ~ prosperity, bu
Il did not do 1.-THE prosperity did no
come, but the bonds stayed How coul,
We hope Tor such sircois ~ Chicago an,
ST. Louis. We have not thc resources
We have done we, under a conseryaliy
system Of paying cash Tor what We gol
What attracts people u tho fact Of sma
assessments aud taxes aud the pruspcrit
Of a city. Let us pay our debt aud "a
ourselves 10 do H. lot rs not pile up a
enormous debt which may turn and rui
us Ia lhc hereafter
II. Dow spoke next, aud reformed I
the recent census taken by the city, bJ
never published, aud the census ho t0o
In preparing dirrrlory, which include
1900 negroes. TIL entire city include
about li.O,O people. and outside the cit
Ia the suburbs about Id. 900 more. Ito 81
posed any Issuance oi bonds or iurth,
taxation.
Harry IIill-IIc bal thought that n
expression given by the people tlnoug
the daily press had settled this queaiiol
but hc found that on clori las been uad
and the men arr nj ibis meeting. a. thWa
this great schomo OF hubble improvement
Those who cnllcd iIs meeting a rppr
sentative one made s,atcmcnts which nj
untrue. tho small pnuury oNuor and n
! mechanics aud working men nrn not her
IL ~ not q represent tive meeting. lie r
lcrrtd a. other ipr .iugs In days pas
; which claimed 10 representative, b
! which were not lnauy respect. This is m
q yiilagu, u N n yty With hope aud
] much iuturc NJ ans city OF the Ian
? Il was made 10 BY i've, young mon. ~
by the ro-callcd representative men, wi
! are satisfied aud WIN want no change. |
j was Young man, an I. being lawyer, "
. an honest man. D. l.s.ikcd, however.
b diItr With ha irirnl uflrv. You aay n