The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-02-02
To the Editor OF The Appel:

To the Editor OF The Appel:
Sir--On my return here this morning
my attention was called to a telegram to
the Scimidr from Nashville OF January 80
in which am made TO threaten President
lladden with an exposure Of his method of
administering Taxing District affairs ii n &C.
essary, and also 10 yourcdtorial comments
thereon yesterday and this morning de-
sire TO say, ms Il matter OF justice both TO Mr.
lladden and other Taxing District off ials
and myself, that no such threat OF no nark
was ever made by me either a. The ime
fixed or any other. | have been yrei,Iv
puzzled to rccollect any remark of NH
from which the Scimitdr corr spondent
Tor whom entertain personal g. al,
could have made such report, and have
concluded that il arose out OF Guar
conversation between Mr.. lladden aud
myself when ! met him ut Nashville on
my arrival at the Maxwell House.
To those who know me, ii is unneces-
sary 10 say that il Mr.. MADDEN were my
worst enemy, ! would not permit hun and
other Taxing District officials, by my
silence, TO rest under 80 unjust an imputa-
ton; aud on the other hand, were he my
best friend, II knew or believed he was
guilty Of improper or dishonest acts in
the administration OF his office, ! should
not hold 1t TO be used COvertly 10 force
him To my measures, but would expose
him publicly ln point of fact, | knew Of
no Official misconduct ON his part, nor did
| doubt his personal or official integrity.
| differed from him and his colleagues as
| TO the ability Of our people TO pay u -. 90
rate, and went TO Nashville with several
| other gentlemen, appointed ut n meeting
OF citizens, ~ n committee 10 urge on the
| Legislature rate Of s235. We met Mr..
llanden and Mr.. Petit, with the Shelby
Representatives, and discussed at two dill
icrcnt meetings the Point Of difference be-
tween us. Mr. Hidden and Mr.. Petit
urged their views with their usual force
aud zeal, aud never at any time
| yielded their position until the Rep
them. After full discussion tho
| Representatives announced that they
would not vote for - 30 rate, bnt that
they would for $50. MIR. Odlum boldly
declaring that lac would not vote for any
rate over -, aud Mr.. Davis declining 10
vote for any rate, M | understood him,
until other matters were settled. BY re-.
quest ol n majority ul the delegation, the
parties representing the Taxing Dis
trict, the citizens committee and
The school board, made he nppor.
tionment TO which YOU have seen our
signatures attached. There was never ut
any time, any question made by ~, that
the rate OF 500, asked Tor, could be prof
itably used II collected, but We insisted
nnd believed that n was greater burden
Than our people could bear, aud that -. 80
was an outside figure. IL was merely "a
question Of expectancy In fixing the rate
at 90 aud the ability on the part OF the
people To pay, about which We differed.
There never was, at any time, amy uspcr.
sion cast upon our city officials or their
motives, and with all duo respect to you,
Mcssrs. Editors, let mo say they repro.
scnicd their side IT the question with the
utmost zeal and ability, and only yielded
when they could no longer contend, anl
any inlimation otherwise does them great
injustice. louN pyERtON, Jr.