The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-10-02
THE COUNTY COURT.
The Pie Was Divided Yesterday.
John j. Barry Endeavors to Inaug-
urate Reform,
And Meets with the Usual Fate
of Reformers.
The Court Sits Down on Him by q
Vote of 30 to 9.
Some Very Fat oGlcos Divided Up
Among the Boys--The Law Openly
Violated by Seventeen Members
Account oftho Proceedings.

railing. Every member Of the court was
In his seat or IN seat which does not al
ways imply thesame thing Squire Orvillc
Yerger, for instance, sat on the platform
10 the left Of the chairman, place usu-
ally occupied by the sheriff, and some
times accorded 10 tho press. That was
during the morning session, while the pie
was in course OF distribution, and the
space allotted to members filed 10 over
flowing. Squire Yerger being new
member and never having had seat as
signed 10 him, was forced 10 do the best
he could and sit in the sherifr's chair,
Sheriff McLendon modcs,ly occupying a
chair in the shadow OF the chairman's
desk. In the afternoon, after the pic had
nll been distributed, there was plenty OF
vacant seats both in aud outside the rail
Ing, and II is probable that Squire Yerger
found one, for he was not in the sheriff
seat, or in any other conspicuous locality.
At l0oclock precisely Chairman Slaugh-
ter mounted the platform, raped for order
and announced that tho county court was
in session and ready for business. The
following members answered ~ their
names:
II. NJ. Thomas, J. H. Barrett, O. Jones,
W I. York, J. n. Harrison, J. A. llill, J.
R.Campbcll, X. +. Adams. J. j. Barry,
M. I. Garvin, Oryille lerger, Pm. Win
tiers, w. A. Fields, j. NJ. Walton, ]. NJ.
Hughes, A. G.. Wellborn, VIC. Allen, INV.
Fletcher, J. NJ. Mcdonald, w. h lIarrell,
J. L. Reid, II. 4. Anderson, A. q. Kim
brough, q. X. Strickland, Tom lloleman,
IT,, W. 4. Plunkett, Newton Ford, I. 4.
Cole, J. +. Young. L. l.. Davis, q X.
Powell, A. j. Sandcrln, ID. G.. Slaughter,
=. NJ. Bland, Robert Jones, J. A. Prescott,
W. II. llughey.
A death like stiffness cnsuod. II had
been whispered that Squire Nork's name
would DO pressed for the Craftsmanship
and every body awaited the next step Ol
the proceedings with eager interest.
Squire Holman broke the spell by rising
it his feet aud uticring these words 81
move that Squire -. {. Slaughter bc
elected chairman for the remainder of the
term, which expires January !, next en-
suing"
There was no counter motion and u. G.
Slaughter wis elected chairman by accla-
nation.
CHAIRMAN sLAuGurER's REPORT.
The chairman-clcct then read hi. third
quarterly report Of which the following Is
copy
To the worhiIim County Coutt oi shelby County!
hog leave 20 submit IN YOU my third
quarterly report, ending September 30
1883. On examination OF this report YOU
will find how the money has been received
and expended. lou will also scc that our
disbursements exceed our receipts during
the quarter which Is always the case dur
Ing this quarter, rs the demands on the
county never diminish. aud il being nj that
time Of the year that We receive none or
but little revenue. II We continue the
tame spirit 1T economy ~ heretofore, /
think with our present assessment law, In
one more year all our warrant account
will bc oblliCrutvd aud We can run ON n
strictly cash basis.
You may remember that NJ the July
term of this court YOU passed Rn order
authorizing inc 10 usc my discretion in
the using ui any surplus funds that might
bc on hand IN the redemption oi M many
oi the Memphis 4 Raleigh railfoal bonds ~
] might be- able to do. Mypporl will show
YOU that, in obedience a. that uf,lpr, |
have paid out since that time un that &C.
count the sum Of Si,E,2S. leaving only
a balance OF the $1,000 issued of about
$4,000. With a rigid application Ut nll
available funds. aud with your hearty co.
operation, a. Ia this you have given mo.
In less than one year what b. known ~
the cold Memphis x Raleigh mund
bonds will be- "a thing oi the past, and
will no morr burden our tax bills. ID AZ
lords nae great pleasure In saying that the
great portion Of those bonds have been ~
deemed and cancelled since | have btcn
your chairman, which feel could not
have done without your kindly co-opcm-
ton, and iOF which please accept my
thanks.
cur total assessment for the year
amounts 10 SIS. j,5,li,. hope that will
not creute In the mind oi any member ct
THE court a seeming spirit Of Uxtmvu-
gunrc in tho use and expenditure ui pub
hc money, but We must still cultivate and
uao Zoe most ug,l economy, us iho rate Of
TAXATION iur the year 1855 has hUrn a..
ducy1 boa inc lmn proportion that thc nv.
tcfu'uu have hn'u increased, and had
some departments tho reduction. hayc
been g,Iirr than thr iuCr#.H uI As.r.a.
mcnls on ihu same.
ln conclusion, gentlemen, lyi me- fly 10
YOU that tuday we are IuuuHultpI HH IA
new court. A. this b. ihH Tint day ui our
official career ns new court lrt our motto
be 10 accomplish thc greatest good ,o tbr
greatest numhyL let us be- moro paIus
taking boo Che discharge ui uur sworn du.
ties, lut us NOT hp Iu haste. hui lpi us De-
patient, Bind sUl respectful Go each other
individually AMI o. % court
In uii claims brought before us Tor
adjudication lgt us iu1 u.nfu their merits
and dement's thoroughly byiprr We ammo.
pirate the pCpO.yf money Gao pay thym.
Let NJ as % count ifUNu down over. lHort
made 30 draw money from fHu county u
violation IT law, and every proposition ar
scheme seemingly tainted with fraud lea
ua ~ n b0dy spuw ID HnI its author I1u,
our count room. Let ihls bg tlu I,.um|u.
alton OF each member Hui ly f1 doing We
will be enabled b. elevate ihu standard of
the court. and maintain iit dignity. tirrr.
by shielding oumeNDs .iUm public ulu.
Csns.
Let this be our ambition and will as.
sure you that you will have my entire up-
port aud hegfiy cooperation.
Revenues received. -, sJJ.sl5. dUluuc-
munts u. go, 2pS.
squire kgnow roso aud There was u
prcking Of ears "a a. What lac might have
V nay. lie simply requested The enroll
mcnt Of bis name az a member of the
court, IN Wow Of the fact that be- held tho
eherih's certificate NJ a. biz filing of q
proper bond, and also held The commission
OF the Governor authorizing him to qulli-
asa duly elected magistrate 'hquip'
y r. Young opposed immediate action.