The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-01-01
MONDAY, JANUARY I, 1866.
Our City Oficers-Tbe Old and the New
Regime.

AT IL O'CLOCK merlQlan Jne CONDUCT OF Jne
affairs OF the city of Philadelphia passed
from the hands of the old Administration into
those of the new. His Honor ALEXANDER
HENRY retired from the walks of public life,
and the Hon. MORTON MCMICHAEL reigns
in his stead. There is an old custom trans
mitted to us from knightly days, which
requires the praises OF the outgoing to be
sounded before those Of the incoming ruler.
"The King is dead, long live the Kingp
savors rather of sycophancy than selfrespect,
and we hold rather to the Templar's doctrine,
and will utter few valedictory words to our
faithful ex-Mayor before we do homage to his
successor For eight years Mr.. HENRY has
filed the position of chief local magistrate,
one-haN OF which time included the days
when war and tumult filed our land. During
his term of Office our city has been compelled
to put forth energies to meet emergencies, to
furnish supplies, which have no precedent
in our history. Thousands of soldiers had to
be raised, millions of dollars secured, hun
dreds of families supported, and almost mil
lions of travelling volunteers fed. We had to
encounter foes from abroad; we have been
been rifed by mobs and browbeaten by un-
ruly gangs of lawless ruffians. But beneath
the mild yet firm rule Of our ex-Mayor, the
fair fame of Philadelphia has been preserved
without the spot or blemish of treason. 1t is
a cause of just pride to our outgoing ruler
that his name will be associated with that
period which has placed the Quaker City
4 oil fba In IN har
devotion to the Union, her generosity, her
bravery, and her patriotism. OF him can it
be said, "Well done, good and faithful SER
want" He bears with him into private life
the confidence and respect of all his late con-
stituents Of whatever political shade.
The duties of Hon. MORTON McMICHAEL
commenced this morning. To-day he has
buckled on the armor Of office, and will, we
are assured, fight good fight. An old and
educated citizen of Philadelphia, thoroughly
acquainted with all the wants and wishes of
our people, he is one Of us, and will faithfully
fulfil the ends for which he was elected. We
cannot doubt that the public spirit which he
has exhibited in the past, and the straightfor-
ward honesty Of purpose which has been so
apparent in his editorial career, will be con-
tinued as Chief Executive of our beloved
city. To his hands we cheerfully commit
her interests, confident that all her wants will
be well supplied, and all her pursuits guarded
from the attacks OF rivals or foes. We will
not suggest to him the necessity OF more
stringent and enlarged police force, nor yet
OF watching with hawks eye the tardy and
negligent actions of the contractors for street
cleaning. These and the thousand other
similar issues will naturally occur and be pro-
perly attended to. He is Republican, chosen
by Republicans, and supported by them, and
with him we feel assured we will have no
local imitation of the natural course of TYLER
To his wisdom and discretion we leave all the
questions so important to the interests and
advancement of our city and her citizens.
We, are glad to be able to congratulate our
citizens upon the reelection of all the heads
OF our City Departments. The system of
rotation in Office is good one as regards
profitable sinecure; but where industry and
capability are required, we favor the continu-
ance of the trustworthy incumbent so long as
he does his duty. And we are glad. there
fore, that the faithful public servants who
have managed our municipal affairs for the
last three years will continue to guard them
during the ensuing term. Mr.. HENRY
BUMM, our old and new City Treasurer, has
conducted the city finances in period the
most difficult in our municipal record. With
heavy debt, little or no credit, and con-
stantly increasing demands, it required not
only the ability of fnancier and the know
ledge of practical economist, but also the
energy OF a business man, and the reputation
OF an honorable cidzen, to prevent the trea-
sury being wrecked. Yet by his pers onal
popularity, and the faith our moneyed men
put in his word, as well as his caution and
talent, we are floating safe to-day, with a
heavy load to carry, but not sufficient to
endanger our safety. Beneath his manage
ment, we doubt not that the sum will be
greatly reduced, and, before decade be past,
that our city will be as free from debt as we
were six years ago.
The other offices of the city have been also
well filed, and we are glad that their occu
pants have been returned. JOSEPH r. LYN-
DALI, Esq. City Controller, is a gentleman
and an honest man, and having consistently
and conscientiously discharged the duties o.
his position, has received merited tribute tC
his faithful services. No change would be an
Improvement in his department.
Mr.. FREDERICK @. WoLBERT has entered
,,Do0 his navU farm with the conhdenca an(