The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-02-09


The dummy question is n source OF great
mental disturbance to the city officials and
public generally. Somehow the people
have so iai failed TO grasp the idea Of ad
vantage in having dummy trains move
along the streets Of the city, risking life,
limb and property by frightening horses.
They read Of open-hcarted welcomes ex-
tended this mode Of transportation by
other great cities, but smile credulouslY
when the proposition is brought home 10
them, and there is not an entire absence OF
reason in this opposition. Tho system,
when applied 10 surface roads, is not all
that could be desired. There are dangers
remaining 10 be obviatcd, and there is little
doubt that the questions viii be thoroughly
tested before the two now in operation
here are allowed loprocesd in und!sturbed
quictude.
Perhaps the Fast End dummy company
Is travelling over the hardest road Of
stumps. Its interior terminal ia on Mon.
roe street, at Fourth, though its contract
with the city calls Tor the right III way to
tie east side OF Third street. Shortly after
this contract was agreed 10 citizens on
Monroe sinei pclitioned the council 10
prohibit the trlin being propelled any
where In the city by steam power Old,
reliable mules werc good enough as mo.
tons This petition caused great mental
cxeriion on tire part OF the authorities,
though IL was finally decided that the pro-
posed policy vas not exactly the thing.
al. a
power west Of the Charleston railroad, and
stopping the line az Fourth -tiect, and this
was referred 20 a committee composed Of
President llad'lcn, Mai Petit and Gen.
X =. Patterson. The latter has since re-
tired from the council, leaving the matter
IN the hands of the two former. No re-
port has Yet been made, and the Monroe
street citizens ac growing anxious and
persistent. IL may possibly come up for
discussion Of tie council meeting tomorrow
afternoon.
The Kick created dilemma which can
hardly be finally decided this side oi the
supcmo coWt. The dummy company
has lis contract In due form, las built IL
line aud u operating IN iir,i-citss style,
aud will undoubtedly determine 10 stick
90 the records On The other hand, those
protesting against II will probably claim
violations Of the contract aud consequent
forfeiture Of It's franchise These viola
tons, Il rs understood. consist oi the usc Of
other THAI the regulation rails, excessive
speed and other shortcomings.
There Il clear evidence that the Tycoon
Is In an unsettled state of mind ~ 60 the
outcome Of these squabblcs, and regrets
the emergency. In his official position,
he Of course desires complete harmony all
round the circle, aud will cndeayor 10 pro.
tecl the rights and privileges Of all parties,
whenever and wherever assaulted. The
only duty remaining for him IA TO see the
contract faithfully lived up 10 by the East
End company, a. well ~ all other corpo-
nations. One Of the strong provisions Of
The contract refers TO paving wherever
rail h laid, aud this will be- strictly insisted
upon. II lisa vital part Of the advantage
the city derives from dummy aud mule
car lines. Discussing the situation with
an ArrrAL reporter yesterday President
MADDEN said
"Niewed In one light, the people have a
right 10 object 10 dummy lines II is i'm.
possible 10 hitch a horse with safety along
any street over which the Trains pass.
Even horses that viii walk boldly up 20 a
regular railroad train cannot be fully
trusted 10 maintain indifference upon the
near approach OF a blundorbns dummy
motor. Still, | believe dummy roads 10
be good institutions, and with few more
improvements aud rock.boit0m rcslnc.
tons, the public will probably 30 regard
them. But when things do not move
smoothly or undergo sudden marked
changes, We are morc than apt TO jump on
anything In the street. That anything
In this instance happens 10 be the dummy
line companies, and suppose they II have
70 hustle and meet the issues. Fortunately
Tor all concerned, We have courts for the
adjudication u all such differences, aud II
they'rc going 10 fight u out there the soon.
a. They oct ut Il the better. According "a
Judge lianmond's rrccnt decision, II III,
roads are nuisance, they are %
continual character, and damages
can be obtained year after year ON IN,
same testimony. This seems TO be the Cat,
OF some Of those railroads In Fort Picker
ing, and Il the judges ruling Il good Law
applies With equal force 10 dummy lines
Don't ask me for an opinion on the sub