The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-05-08
THE COUNTY COURT.
THE JUSTICES REJECT THE COMMIT.
TEES REPORT ON JNo. WALSH.
The Tax Levy MAIDS For the Current
Year Petitions For Roads ana
Bridges without Number Filed and
Acted Upon RoutineWork.

TO adopt the report of the committee,
which was published in THE APPEAL yes
terday, relative TO the accounts OF ex-
County Undertaken Walsh. From the
moment court opened look at the smil-
ing countenance OF Justice Winters would
convince anyone that Mr.. Walsh was all
right. Justice Winters would cast look
over at the committee that made the re-
port and smile pityingy upon them.
Away down in his soul he felt sorry for
them.
Justice Yerger came loaded. He came
loaded for bear. He was as full OF a speech
as an egg is OF meat, and he couldn't hold
ii in any longer. lie secured the floor and
the attention OF those present. he pulled
wide open the escape valve OF his elo.
quence, and for one mortal hour poured
out torrent Of oratory in defense Of Mr.
Walsh and of Mr.. Walshs record
When he concluded his speech those
not in the secret were astonished to see
what a different face the story had, and
were reminded that one story is always
good until another istold. Justice Hughey
was one OF the iifstatt the inourners' bench.
and raising up his body and his voice said
that he desired to withdraw the motion he
had made for the adoption OF the report.
He had heard the speech OF Justice Yer
ger and while he and Mr. Walsh were not
ON terms OF personal intimacy. he did not
desire TO see injustice done. He did not
believe that there was any criminal intent
in anything Mr. Walsh had done in the
PROMISES, nor did he believe that Shelby
County had been | cent the loser.
Justice Barry followed in the same
strain. Frequently people had little
money and desired TO give their pauper
friends a little better burial. They some
times employed an extra hack or pur-
chased better coffin. This was quite
natural and laudable in them. Besides
this, the very parties who were up swear.
ing that Joha Walsh had charged them
sums Of money for burying friends and
relatives were those who had sworn that
they were paupers and unable TO pay
funeral expenses. II they were telling
the truth In one place they surely lied
before. II was their oaths today against
their oaths heretofore, Numerically OPP
posed TO each other.
Justice Winters took the floor. lie took
the house also, and in a very calm and
deliberate style. There was no need now
for rnnling or rodomontade. lie had an
immortal cinch on the question, and he
knew il. 1t was said that be knew il last
night, but the fact is not on record.
"lf il please the court" said Justice
Winters, and Il pleased the court, II have
only few words 10 say"
The reporters sent for an extra supply
OF paper and pencils.
"Ii IL please the court" again said JUS
ticc Winters. and il pleased the court
again, III have only a few words 10 say.
want TO add the weight OF my humble in
fuunce against the adoption OF that re.
port. want TO say that il should not be
adopted. ] want to say that its adoption
will merely aggravate an injury and wrong
done already 10 Mr.. Walsh. / wish Ia
say that after all the noise and fuss and
furry, after all the investigations and ex.
aminations by the committee that had the
matter in charge, there IS not one scintilla
OF evidence connecting Mr.. Walsh even re
motley with wrong doing, or with having
In any single instance dclauded IN,
county out OF q cent, or received from the
county one cent more than what wa
Justly due him.
"In my earlier days-in days when m,
heart was less experienced, though mol
less pure than now, | remember reading {
story by popular author who attended
our school. Ills name was Esop, and b,
told OF a mountain that was once greatly
agiiaied. Loud groans and noises wcr,
heard. Crowds OF people came from al
parts TO see what was the matter. Whoi
they were assembled in anxious expccta
ton out came little mouse. then all wa
Quiet and still. So with this investigation
Tho mountain has labored and groaucd
Justice Winters went from sarcasm {,
paihos, which be poured out In great pro
fusion.
Al the conclusion Of his speech tears
idle tears, they knew not what the.
meant, sprung from the depths OF som
divine despair and streamed down Jus
tees checks that were unused 10 weeping
Justice Kimbrough arose 10 oblige III
company with a few remarks In favor q
hi committees report but he soon sa'
tina, the temper OF the meeting was no
with him and brought his remarks "
happy close.
Slaughter and said that while some OF th
testimony was such rs 10 give Mr.. Walsh
record q ncbulous appearance he did nc
see how they were going 10 help then
selves without an interminable lawsuit
lie would vote 10 reject the report ~ th
committee, but would sec 10 q that MI
Nalsh's bid should not DO considered.
This seemed 20 be the sentiment {
many. They did not want Mr.. Walls
ccnsured, nor did they want him any Ions
er ~ county undertaken. They wanted {
Let him down easy providing he would nc
cone back aud get In any moro trouble.
A vote Wa taken aud Il resulted Ia
10 rpiect the report and . 10 adopt II
Thrre OF these were on the investigator
committee.
MIR. Walsh then arose and Withdrew hi
bid A feeling Of relief and surprise cam
70 many.
Justice Winters reached his goaioe wit
his left hand aud looked innocent.
That's the old lob Taylor fight brougl
from Nashville 10 the County Court, on
OF tho Justices was heard 10 remark.
Eyes, but the tables arc turned" n
marked another.
On motion, the sum OF s25 was above
the committees chairman 10 pay the G,
pcnsc Of the investigation.
William Taylor was appointed roa
oycr.ccr, vice $. n. Davis, on the Barlle
d lAGmnge road.
Tho Turnpike Commissioners fled the
report, which was received.
several petitions for bridges, roads,
reduce assessments, bills aud account
etc., were passed upon.
Justices Young. Adams and AndersC
were appointed a committee 10 report up,
the feasibility Of building q separate d
panmcnt for youthful criminals on u