The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-06-18
The Chaste Debate in Common Council
on the Presidents Reception.

4
on the Presidents Reception.
IT seems as though our city is to be continu-
ally disgraced by the disgusting vulgarity of
some of her Councilmen. Whenever motion
| is made in Common Council which is
! inherently right, and demanded by a sense of
propriety or the needs of the people, there is
! every probability that 1t will meet with a
. defeat. The people are gradually beginning
to view the city fathers not only with distrust,
| but shame; and positively, every Friday we
feel afraid to read their proceedings, lest some
new disgrace shall have been heaped upon our
city. But the crowning blemish on the fair
fame of Philadelphia was produced yesterday,
by the debate in Common Council on the reso-
luton to extend the hospitalities of our city to
the President of the United States. Our posi-
! tion in regard to Mr.. Andrew Johnson is so
well known to all who have followed the senti-
ments of this journal, that it would be idle to
reiterate them here.
Personally we feel no respect for Mr.. John
son; politically we hold him unworthy of
respect, because of his abandonment of his
party, professions, and principles. There can,
therefore, be no error on the part of our
readers in regard to our political views. But
, we have always maintained that proper
respect is due the Office, whoever may be the
occupant. In honoring the President of the
United States, we honor our nation and cur
selves. 1t is not respect for Mr.. Andrew
Johnson which leads us to tender him the
hospitalties of our city. 1t is self-respect
! which calls for such an action, and those who
| oppose such a resolution are destitute of that
| quality. Yet Common Council yesterday
deliberately listened to a set of harangues
vilely abusive of the Executive of the United
| States, many of the statements contained in
! which are without shadow of truth, and
all of which are characterized by an ignorant
vulgarity which would have been tolerated
in no other assemblage except Common
| Council. Nor can we say that there were but
one or two members who thus disgraced them
selves; there were number.
The first to make himself ridiculous was Mr..
Hancock. We are not surprised at his ap-
pearing foremost in comedy, for there is
seldom a needed bill which is proposed against
which Mr. Hancock does not record his vote. He
commenced by stating he was in favor of the
|
getting off poor witticism. But just as we
are congratulating ourselves that for once Mr..
! Hancock has acted with some show of sense,
we find him on his feet opposing the bill he
previously favored, merely because he found
that the Democratic members were going to
vote on the same side. His second speech is
in the real Hancockian style. He said: 4" We
are politicians. We come to Councils as poll
icians, and zoe liUe by politics." This is GER
ainly very frank confession. The members
of Common Council Give by politics." How
The Councilmen receive no salaries according
to law, yet Mr.. Hancock declares that his posi-
ton is his means of support. He must of
necessity rely on the little "perquisites' of his
post, and support his family on what pickings
he can obtain. No wonder that no bill which
is needed only for the public good, and backed
by nothing but its merits can receive his vote.
He was followed by Mr.. Wagner, who took
ground in opposition; but the palm was re-
served for Robert M. Evans. ''No pent-up
Utica confined his powers" He opened the
vast field of politics, and proceeded to review
the policy of the Administration. He talked
Of cartels and exchanges, of the pardoning
power and of John II. Surratt, and of a dozen
other topics which had no connection with the
subject, and Of which he knew nothing. When
we want to be instructed in politics we will
select some other tutors than members of
common Council. The people sent them into
oinoe 10 pass needed local legislation. The
oiiniaH' however, was reached by a member
named MerahOn. That gentleman accused Mr..
johnson OF numbering Mr.. Lincoln. He ele-
quently observed that "Andrew Johnson had
the blood-stains of Mr. Lincoln upon his
forehead" He called the President ''trai-
tor, and concluded
} "If Andrew Johnson goes to Boston ba MOI,
!, | go there without stopping. If he doas tba1I
| God, and / will give him a kick to nal, LII bi,n n
} along. That's my respect for the man" nm
With this elegant expression Mershon sub
sided. Many of the seats occupied by the
courtly gentlemen of years gone by are now
filled by the present members of the Mershon
/ stripe The mantle of the polite legislators
} ofother days has fallen on these men, and they
are now entitled to legslate for the gentlemen
, of Philadelphia When we see such vulgar
conduct, we find our faith WaYering in the