The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-02-28

NdhttScS our puDllC SCHOOLS aHOTu lne
rich and the poor, the white and the
black-schools which are pride TO the
people. New buildings, better teachers,
moro OF them, prompt pay in same, and
everything that is tor the advancement OF
educational facilities.
"Now, | ask any living man, not only in
this city, but out OF it, can you show me
any other city that has ever accomplished
SO much in so short time? Is not the
whole administration OF the last ten years,
and the results Of this administration, by
the will and consent OF the sovereign peo-
pie, Il phenomenon Can you point 10 any
other city in the United States bearing
the same record? Why make any changes?
DO you want TO get back into debR DO
you want to repudiate the present debR
DO YOU want 10 repudiate the contracts
We have made with the various enterprises
which have entered our city2 DO not all
the other cities throughout the Union
point to Memphis rs the one whose gov
ernment is the most economical, under
which the rights OF the people aud OF
property are the most sacredly observed,
free from rings, free from bribery? Has
not this form oi government, just rs il is,
without single change, been the theme
OF praise by every paper in .he city for
the past ten years, and by the press
throughout the whole surrounding coun-
try2 Haven't all our orators, while speak
ing at home or abroad, praised aud eulo-
gized this government from bottom to top2
Now, why should We go back upon that
form OF government that we have confessed
TO ourselves aud proclaimed 10 the world
rs the best form OF municipal government
ever devised? Ii has been claimed TO be
non-political; 1t is non.political, and for
this reason 1t has kept itself free and un-
spotted from politics, sustained alike by
the Republican and the Democrat. The
work OF the city paving and sewering is
done according 10 law, and as cheap rs
money can buy it. Show me piece Of
work done in the city that any one would
do for less money.
"Much has been said about a certain
bill offered by Mr.. Clapp in the House.
This bill is all right Il was prepared 10y
Judge Walker, and bears the unanimous
sanction OF the Legislative Council. Ii
was submitted TO the Board in public ses-
sion, discussed by the various members,
and 80 adopted. Ii will facilitate the busl-
noss OF the city. This Legislative COun-
! ell, knowing the transtDry nature oi all
mundane affairs have no idea OF having or
desire 10 have a bill passed that will work
n deirlment TO the people IN the hands OF
! their successors in office. This council are
all moderately average taxpayers, repre-
sentlng the various lines OF business in all
| lis departments in this city, and they have
no idea OF leaving any laws upon the stat
! ute books that will not be Tor the benefit
| OF the people in general. let the govern
mcnt alone; quit agitating, pay your taxes.
/ uphold the hands Of your officials, lead
/ them in the ways OF righteousness and
| peace, inauguratc new enterprises, encour-
| age more home industries, and they will
! be- all the home rule We need. Trust in
| God from day 10 day and We will all be
happy. Any change at the present time
means to retrogrldc.'
MAJ. ). J.. PETrr
''I am out and out, unqualiiicdly, abso.
| lutcly, Internationally aud constitutions
ally opposed to any changes in the form Of
government, further than We have already
recommended"
CAPr JAMES LEE, Jh
al am unaltcmbly opposed to any
change that will tend in the least TO lead
us back remotely or nearly 10 the old ward
system. 'Them's my sentiments Al
though ! am In favor OF assuming the
name Of Memphis aud the taxing power
/ by the Council, yet, nevertheless, II m ~
doing the rights OF the people are thereby
jcopardizcd / am OF the opinion We should
lot well enough alone"
MR. CHARLES KNEY.
81 DO not These ward cliqucs are not
calculated TO do Us any good. In place OF
going ahead IN such change We would
so backward"
MR. SAMUEL HiRscH.
"Do I? That question, coming from one
whom did not know TO bc a friend, ]
would almost consider an insult do not
want the old ward system, under any cir
cumstanCcs.'
Mn =. ). GRAHAM.
"No, 10 not. have too vivid re-
collection OF how things were managed
when We had the ward system VI govern
mcnt here, and also have information as
10 how Il works IN other cities. The Tax
ing District system oi government Is good
enough for me. The only issue that sccms
90 have caused division OF opinion on
this point was the Recommendation Of the
Council for q 500 budget A great many
people deemed that too high, though my
convictions on the point are unchanged.
Those who thought otherwise carried IL TO
| tiif laNlHlAlNI't lNlifA W N'Nht HilA Ah'a
gained ON the privilege they have Of ap-
peal. ! think the arrangement wise one
-onc that Is good for both the people and
their representatives In the local govern.
mcnt, serving 10 make the latter careful la
their Recommendation"
MI. LYNus WALLACE.
"Thc Legislative Council has recon.
mcndei some few changes We thought
might well be made, In order TO facilitate
public business and snyo the city money,
but aside from those ! stand firmly Tor the
, Taxing Dislric, form Of government as
, II is."
cot. JOIN r. nANDLE.
? "1s II possible you are in doubt about
? where stand on that question: Nol
Well | thought not The city II not pre-
. pared for the reign Of the old ward system
} yet aud ! hope never again 10 sec tho
; time when the saloon and hummer olc
r mcnls can control the government, as II
] can always do under that system. They
J can elect their men aud keep them there
& We have recommended all the changes ",
b deem advisable for time"