The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-03-20

ter change since 1879, were in fact pre-
pared and drawn up by self-appointed
committees Of citizens, who met and
discussed the proposed changes, and
subsequently in the form of a legislative
bill presented them to the general as
for action.
Main Issues Dodged.
Capt. Fitzhugh Is an eloquent speak
er, a skilled lawyer, an adroit pleader
before an audience or a jury. He knows
how to dodge an issue as well as he
knows how to make a telling point.
He did both Wednesday night. Pro-
posing to discuss the provisions OF the
city manager bill, he dwelt upon the
three or four sections OF the bill which
define the powers of the city manager,
and left out of his discussion the scores
of special provisions for protecting the
people in their rights. which are incor-
porated in the bill now on its passage at
Nashville. He asserted hat 1t was not
plete new scheme of government for
Memphis. He charged that the auto
cratic powers given the city manager
would enable him to build up such a
political machine as has never yet been
constructed in any American city, eand
that 1t would be impossible for the peo-
pie, once the act is passed, ever to
'N@h AhSAA ~ ~ ~ " Z
charter, although the bill specifically
provides methods by which the people
themselves may originate such changes
and have them carried out.
He lodged the sections Of the bill
which give the city the right to pur-
to regulate the franchises granted to
such public utilities, with other sec
tons safeguarding the rights of the
people.
Knowing that a section in the bill,
as introduced Thursday, makes the city
manager subject to the custer law, but
not having read that section, as 1t was
not included in the first draft of the
bill he attempted to prove that under
Tennessee decisions that could not be
done, although 1t has been stated that
Gov. Roberts, himself one of the ablest
lawyers in the state, Gen. Thompson
and Justice Neil have given their ap-
prevail to that section Of the bill.
Tribute to Wilson.
Capt. Fitzhugh closed with an appeal
for the preservation of the liberties of
the people, and a brilliant plea for the
victory of President Wilson, the fore
most citizen of the world, in his efforts
to make the peace achieved by the
American armies and those of the allies
a lasting one. During his peroration
the three soldiers upon the stage rose
and received them share of the ap-
plause which broke out all over the
house upon Mr.. .Fitzhugh's allusion to
the president.
No one seemed to know just what
came next. The chairman glanced
around and then Ben C. Mathes came
forward with a typewriter docrmeIH
demanding a referendum and other un-
named changes in the bill which he at
tempted to read. He finally gave 1t
but Mayor ,Monteverde took it and
familiar with its contents than any
one else.
Just at this point Charley Bryan
stepped out from behind the woodland
scene with which the stage was dec
GRATED, and two men cried weakly,
Bryan" Bryan" but a movement to-
ward the doors had begun and Mr..
Bryan walked back out of sight again.
Mayor Monteverde pocketed the reso-
lutions after they had been adopted
without any apparent opposition, and
carried them to Nashville with him.
The audience dispersed rapidly and the
great demonstration was ended.
Crump Joins Issue,
With reference to the charge Of
Mayor Monteverde that former Mayor
Crump had demanded the appointment
Of Frank j. Rice a. fire n police
commissioner to succeed w. T. Nc
Lain. Mr.. Crump Thursday issued this
statement:
"If Mayor Monteverde is correctly
quoted as saying that I had come to
him and the other city commissioners
and demanded that Frank j. Rice be
elected city commissioner to succeed
W. T. McLain, who a resigned to
enter the army, l brand his statement
as absolutely false,
Mayor Monteverde and Commission
ers Miller and Mason came into my
office on Oct. 81 last. which was on
Monday, and said hat they wanted
to discuss with me the city commis~
sionership made vacant by the reslg-
nation of Mr.. McLain. ] stated to them
most positively that they were running
the city's affairs and ought to select
their own associate without the aid or
advice of n one, since they must work
with him, II these officials have any
conception of the truth, they will verify
this statement.
Made No Suggestion.
There is not a man in Memphis who
has interfered less han | have with
the official duties OF Mayor Monteverde
and the other city commissioners, Di-
rectly after they were sworn in last
August. | was invited into the mayors
office for a conference. I stated then
that | did not propose to make any
suggestions or to attend n confer
ences, first, because the conduct of the
city government rested with them en-
tirely, and secondly, because | wanted
to get away from the detailed opera
tons Of the city, with which l had
been closely identified for many years
past.
II have not asked Mayor Monteverdt
or Commissioners Miller or Mason tc
| appoint any nan to any position,
have not proposed to them any legis-
lation OF any character. nor have
asked them to vote for or against any
man OF measure, and | defy them t.
cite a single instance,
II want to add another statement
and that is to explain my interest il
| am for 1t, not for any personal rea.
son, because | have said heretofore tina
| did not want the city m~anagership
and even If II were rendered to me
would not accept IL.
Bound by Pledge.
But having participated in the con.
Ventions n the entire rogram which
nominated Monteverde. Miller and Ma,
son, and nominated the legislators,
feel hound by the solemn pledges givel
at that time to the business men,
committee,
George A. Macon, Q, 1. Kruger anC
c. c. Ogilvie demanded a referendum
and Monteverde, Miller and Mason, I,
secure the support and financial as
sistance of the business men, and pre-
: vent their putting out city and legis
lative tickets, went the limit in thei