Public Ledger

.THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
Its Excited Meeting Yesterday.
Revocation of the Earth Closet System
and Proposed Resignation of
President Porter.
The position of the LEDGER,
regarding
the
proposed
earth
closet
system,
was
endorsed
by the legislative council at its
meeting yesterday afternoon by a large
majority. From the start great crowds
of intelligent people, including house
holders, house owners, renters and all
sorts and shades, have believed the
proposed abolition of the privy vault
system and the introduction of untried
earth closets unwise, unwarranted and
unreasonable. So the legislative council, when it reconsidered its former
action yesterday, and practically revoked the ordinance in view of the
early introduction of sewers, it did a
proper thing. The measure was barely
carried at a former meeting. Since
then further light upon the matter
caused a decided change of sentiment
among the officials, it having become
evident to a majority of them that the
innovation could be executed only in
part. The consideration of this subject is the most important that came
up for consideration yesterday, and its
revocation caused Dr. Porter to immediately tender his resignation as
President of the legislative council.
The Doctor left for Nashville by last
night’s train to present the resignation
to Governor Marks in person, and to
urge its acceptance. The action of
the council and the proposed resignation of Dr. Porter was the talk of the
town last night, and to-day earnest
protests have been forwarded to the
governor begging him to delay its
acceptance. At the cotton exchange,
where a meeting will be held at three
o’clock this afternoon to consider the
subject and protest against the doctor’s
withdrawal from public life at this
important juncture, leading merchants
earnestly discussed the matter, and it
was a more exciting topic than
the upward movement in cotton. The
vote of the council was 5 to 3, those
voting aye being Messrs. Overton,
Burke, Galloway, Gunn and Brown.
Those voting no were Messrs. Porter
Goodman, and Goyer. The act recites
that the clause requiring the owner or
occupant of premises shall fill up with
earth or clay all privy vaults, is hereby repealed. Upon its passage Dr.
Porter made a brief speech, saying he
stood pledged to carry out the measure, which had been recommended by
the National Board of Health and
other scientists, and that this would
be the last time he would preside over the council. He claims
that their action would stop sanitation, and he could not be responsible
to the people; hence he would at once
tender his resignation, the same to be
forwarded to Governor Marks last
night. It would relieve him of great
responsibility and labor. The course
pursued by Dr. Porter surprised each
and every one of his coadjutors. All
appeared not to have expected such
action, though it was known to many
of the Doctor’s friends in various parts
of the city that in the event of the
repeal of the measure he would resign
at once.
OTHER BUSINESS.
A committee to consider unsanitary
buildings was appointed, including
Messrs. Gunn, Overton and Goyer.
A levee paving bid of J. J. Fogerty
was filed.
A resolution was adopted directing
City Attorney Heiskell to make up an
agreed case with County Attorney
Julius Taylor regarding the propriety
of the county expending two-thirds of
the county revenue not levied to pay
judgments or interest tax, in the civil
district in which it has been collected.
the same to be tried in a court of law.
The City Attorney is of opinion that
the county can be compelled to comply
with this provision, while the County
Attorney believes it to be unconstitutional.
The City Engineer is to make estimates as to the probable cost of paving an alley in the rear of the Masonic
Temple, running through to Court
street.
The chief of the fire department
will consider whether Monroe
street can be repaired. The place was
injured by fire some time ago.