The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-01-01

NuuiilbNA tiAO luob OhiShh ~ '-H
Henry
To Ine President and Members of the Common
Council of The City of Phiadelphia-Gent tlemen:
i return without signature the phi enuIieo a
"ResouCon approving suretes OF John Given,
City Commissioner elect" understanding tina.
the right to said office is now matter oil Iud
cial inquiry.
comprise all others originating in your Cham
Der that have boen presented for my approval,
viz -
tain property of Robert NJ. Evans 5rom the lien
of certain judgE' ent. --
December 30 lS65-An ordinance to make an
appropriation to the Superintendent of Trusts
for the purposes therein mentioned for the year
1866.
December 80, 1s65-An ordinance to make an
appropriation to the Department OF Surveys for
1866.
December 30, ls65-An ordinance to make an
appropriation to the Law Department for 1856,
and Tor other purposes.
December 30, 1865 An ordinance TO make an
Appropriation to the Reliance Steam Fire Engine
Company.
December 30, ls65-An ordinance to make an
Appropriation to the City Commissioners tor the
year 1866.
December 80, isG5-An ordinance to make an
appropriation to the Department OF highways,
bridges, Sewers, ETC., for 1866.
December 80, 1865-A resolution to authorize
certain transfers made TO the Fire Department
Tor the year 1865.
of the Police Department for the past year. ac-
companied by an inventory of the public pro-
pe1ty in the several Station Houses. In thus
addressing you for the last time would earnestly
commend the important interests of the COM
munity to your zeal and wisdom, and most fer
vently do invoke for the city of Philadelphia
the continued care and bounty OF Almighty God,
through whose kind providence ITS people have
enjoyed so large measure of prosperity. Re-
spectfully, ALEXANDER HENRY,
Mayor OF Philadelphia.
The Chamber then proceeded to ballot with
the following result:-William s. Stokley re-
ceiyed "a votes, and Francis Wolbert 8 woes.
Mr.. Stokley was accordingly re-escor ted to the
official chair, when he delivered the following
address,
ADDRESS OF PRESIDENT sToKLEY.
Gentlemen OF Common Council Being by
your artiality again chosen to preside over this
Chamber, ! cannot resume the Chair without at
least attempting TO thank you for this, greatly
fear, unmerited honor.
Poverty of language prevents me from express
ing, in fitting terms, the deep gratitude feel for
this. manifestation of your confidence and
friendly feeling.
| will endeavor, with your assistance, to dis
charge the duties that devolve upon me as your
presiding officer in such manner as TO satisfy
you that the confidence shown by you, IN a
second time electing me to this important and
honorable position, has not been misplaced.
AT the time OF the organization of this Cham
Der, one short year ago, our country was in the
midst OF q fearful Rebellion.
Since that period it has pleased an allwise and
mercltul Providence to grant victory to our
arms and peace to the land.
The supremacy of the United States has been
asserted, the Union restored, and our flag, with
its galaxy OF stars undimmed In lustre by the alb
sence OF single one, floats triumphantly over
every part of our national domain.
The announcement of the success of our arms,
the prospect OF peace, and the restoration OF the
Union, caused the patriotic people of our city to
'..'reioice and be exceedingly glad" but, alas
their reio ling was soon turned INTO mourning.
Abraham Lincoln, the wise statesman, the con-
scientioul devoted patriot, the President of the
Republic, who had carried the snip of state
safely through the storm of civil war, was
stricken down, and basely murdered by the hand
of enc OF the minions of slavery.
The national rejoicing was by this awful
calamity, suddenly turned into national mourn
ing; the civilized nations of the earth have
united with us in doing honor to the memory of
this great and good man.
Slavery, the cause of the Rebellion, being
removed, the work of restoration is already half
done. 1t remains for the people to conduct il to
a triumphant conclusion.
The President and the National Legislature
are doing their part of the work. We must do
ours.
Philadelphia, the city of independence, and
the home OF loyal men, has given literally OF
her best blood and treasure, and has at all times
md in many ways rendered most hearty and
ttficiept support to the Federal Government,
AS. we have done from the beginning, let us
The heavy appropriations made for the de-
Tense and protection of the city: for the relief of
the wives, widows, and families of our soldiers
and the large bountes paid to volunteers, have
since the breaking out of the Rebellion, greatly
increased our public debt.
This burden our loyal and patriotic citizens
have borne without murmering.
1t is now more than ever the duty OF Councils
to exercise 1udicious care in the management OF
| the affairs Of the city.
| Needless expenditure of the public money
| should be avoided; expenses, as far as possible,
| should be curtailed the various departments
should be required to practise the most rigid
economy. Councils should declare to them and
firmly adhere to their declaration, that no addl.
tonal appropriations will be made during the
present year.
This is rendered necessary from the fact, that
| the tax rate is based upon the estimates made
| by the HEADS OF Departments, and will not, not
withstanding the high figure at which 1t is
| liked, warrant an extra appropriation to any
| department. Let this be known to them and
also that they will be held to strict accounta-
| biitY.
The credit of the city has for years past
suffered, because OF the inability of the Treasury
| to meet, at all times. the demands made upon il.
| would recommend that measures be adopted
| as early as possible to remedy this great evil.
| do so not only because Justice TO the honest
creditors of the city demands II, but as measure
| of economy.
| 1t is we'll known to all of us that the discount
| on warrants has been made the pretext tor in
cre6slng the salaries and wages of those in the
| employ OF the city, and that contractors, for
performing. service on furnishing supplies, add
TO their estimate heavy percentage in order tC
secure themselves from loss by reason OF the
discount on warrants received in payment o
their claims.
l think l may say without fear of contradic
ton, that the loss to the city from this cause
| alone amounts to large sum annually
Councils having these things within their con
troll should suiler them to exist no longer