The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-01-18
THE PRESIDENT HAS HIM.
sHELBY's LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION
AND THE 7. D. BUDGET.
Already There Are War Clouds Rising in
the East, Information OF Which Moves
the President to Pen a Few Words OF
Imposin

Will there be fight at Nashville over
the Taxing District budget, as prepared
by the Fire and Police Commissioners?
Well, there is every reason to say there
will-at least, from those who oppose the
$500 rate.
When the Committee Of Fifteen was
continued from the recent Merchants
Exchange meeting that pronounced for
S235 to pull for legislation accordingly, it
was a mooted question whether anything
more would come OF it. Members OF that
committee did not hesitate to say their
appointment was in good faith and would
be acted upon as such. 1t meant fight,
and fight there was to be, even though
1t should be one.sided affair-no one
on the field to oppose the demand for
lower rate than $500. Upon these state
ments the public settled down into state
of innocuous desuetude, as some fellow
has said, and resignedly awaited develop
ments.
Again war talk Is rife, and the clouds
are rising from the East or Capital. Presi-
dent Hadden is in receipt OF letter from
Judge w. w. Mcdowell, Of the State SEN
ate, officially announcing the fact. 1t did
not require this epistle, however. Col.
John Overton, Jr., was known TO be on
: the field, and TO have taken up quarters at
sle Maxwell House. whore he could spot
the festive Legislature without recourse to
powerful field glasses. When once the
doughty Colonel spots his man, then be-
gins q siege that is more than likely to re-
suit in just one way, and that to the entire
satisfaction OF the sieging party. Judge
Mcdowell set forth tho details of the inn
pending warfare, so far "a he had OBJ
served them, adding tine consoling state
ment that he would take or consent 10 no
sort Of revision OF the budget until the
President had been heard from.
Well, the President has started what few
remarks he has in reply on the way TO
Nashville. lie reterates his oft repeated
assertion that he has no rebutting testi-
mony rs against the assaults of Col. Over
ton or any other citizen of Memphis. For
Capt. Lee, Maj. Petit or any member OF
the Legislative Council the President does
not essay TO speak, only for himself. May
hap they may he more aggressive when
they come together in council and hear
that riot over the bone is In progress on
the hills and In the hollows OF Nashville.
They may, in TACT, order him to don his
armor, spread on his war paint and lay
hold OF the Colonel. Against the counses
OF his trusty licutenants ho cannot stand
aooi, and blood will surely flow. The
President will mildly refer TO certain
methods in the assessment business which
have prevailed here in years gone by, and
the Colonel will retort with certain good
things on the President This will put the
committee in charge Of the bill and also
the Legislators In a happy though some
what perplexed state OF mind, from which
handspring argument or two may turn
them into confusion worse confounded and
cause flop into the most unexpected pc.
sition.
The President was not ut all modest
about fixing the responsibility, 80 far rs hC
Individually was concerned. The Com
missioncrs had gone TO the vexaton and
labor OF figuring out just what this city
Z. needed for each department, with elab'
omte explanations attached. That was
about all the salaries paid them, and Their
responsibilities 10 officials dictated shoul,
be done. II was never contemplated IN
the act creating the Taxing District thai
they should 60 Logging over the state IL
the interest Of any measure proposed by
them 10 which exceptions might to iaker
by outsiders. Therefore, with the prep
amtion OF that budget, aud its introduc
ton Ia both branches Of the Legislature
the Commissioners obligations ceased
From the moment II became legislniiv,
property the responsibility deyolyed, II
largest measure, upon the delegation iron
Shelby; that's what thcy were elected for
and that's what they are paid - per da!
for that IL, after paying the expenses o
living at the Capital and incidentals, whicl
do not consume more than $500 per day
The President winds mp his communica
ton, or the first part Of IL, by LAYING dow
the proposition, ilatfooied, that lac la
nothing more 20 say about the budget; h'
will not be present at the lowering or rails
ing thereof; he has cut his eye-trcth, an'
plants himself uncompromisingly Tor -.
on the 500.
But ho then proceeds TO throw out fc'
gentle hints ~ to some objections TO tlr
budget which occasionally find their Wa
10 his ears. The bondholdcB want &
know. you know, II lac is very sure ampl
provision has been made for the intecs
account; the water company Is moved I
inquire II hc has thoroughly rcyolyed tina
contract in hismind; Engineer Meriwethe
does not hesitate to tell tales out OF schoc
aud say we must bays more money II an
material improvement n TO be made OF
the streets aud sewers; Chief DAVIS is hor
rifcd 10 think provision is not made 10
more police; Chief Ryan scouts the idea {
getting along with less than two more ca
gincs and companies, while the insurunc
men threaten 10 Increase their rates unles
the additional facilities referred 10 ar
forthcoming; Dr. Thornton doesn't see hot
the Board Of Health and garbag, scryic
can pull through on what "a arranged f.
them, and Dr. Black Is nj n loss 20 under
stand what IL TO become OF the City lilo,
pilal; everybody admits that We need a
ihcimproycmenis mentioned, "but damne
II we're going 10 submit To more tina
s23b," and ~ u goes.
The communication will throw food q
light upon the mind Of the Judge an
those OF his colleagues who are pcrmitte
a. pcruse.
Twelve Pieces OF Rome.