The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-01-03

At ten minutes past 10 O'Clock, the Clerk OF Select
Councp, Benjamin II. Hainee, called the body 20
order, and proceeded to read the names OF the old
members. The new members then presented their
Certincates of election.
; It is now constituted, and as published by US on
Friday, was then called. 49, -,
The Clerk then announced nominations for Presi-
Mr.. Frsnciscus nominated Samuel W. CattelL
IIr. Marcus nominated Samuel g. King
Third ward and Mr. Barlow, from the First ward, as
The vote was reported as folows:-
For Mr. Cattell
The CLERK s announced Mr.. Catteil as duly elected
President OF Select Council
Mr. King escorted the President elect to the chair,
and then administered the oath OF office
President Cattel then deliveredthe following ad-
SPEECH OF PRESIDENT cATTELL
Gentlemen OF Select Councll:-On assuming the
responsible duties OF presiding ofncer OF Select
Council, permit me to say that thank you for the
high honor you have conferred upon me-
To us the sufrrages OF our fellow-citizens have
entrusted the Legislative interests Of city for the
ensuing year. To us has been conhded the duty OF
water; the care ana control Of the highways of the
the construction OF it's culverts and bridges; the
care and management OF its wharves, its markets
and public buildings and the very important duties
OF erecting House Of Correction; the enlargement
Of the County Prison, and such other measures as
will contribute to the health and comfort OF our
citizens; the prevention OF vice and crime the pro-
lection Of the unfortunate, and the reformation OF
the depraved.
remarks upon these various subjects, but do ask
your thoughtful consideration Of that greatest ne
cessty-an abundant supply Of water.
A reference to the report OF the Chief Engineer OF
the Water Department, made to the Councils of last
year, win present his suggestions to the best
Should you adopt his views and authorize him 10
proceed with e ths o work the &c cost S as estimated ted
the chief oficer of that department, and while
acknowledging his efficiency and skill, / re-
ffnIlu hVnft IN Enn or hnf HynPl nf
such magnitude is commenced, there should
be appointed commission OF three more gentle
skill TO whom this whole subject OF the source OF
supply, the mode OF supplying - and the storage OF
large quantity OF water sh1nlo @ Se Mltn
date OF appointment. You would then have before
you such official and reliable information as would
lead you to begin the work understandingly, and
would entirely do away with the expensive patch
work policy hitherto pursued. 1t may be said that
so It Will but il must be done some time, and the
longer 1t is delayed the more costly viii it be.
permit the laying Of what is termed new and i'm
proved street payements, some OF them concrete,
some wood of different pateHts and some stone; OF
these the concrete have, ! believe, In every case
proved failures, while the stone and wood seem as
yet to bear all tests Of wear and travel 1 respect
fully submit to you to hasten (by such legislation as
seems right to YOU the dayiwhen our present system
of cobble stone paving shall be done away with, and
our principal highways shall be paved with such
improved materials as experience shows to be en-
during and agreeable.
to be constructed number OF very large main
sewers. These were made necessary by the grea,
have been, or are, nearly completed. The same
necessity requires that you should provide, by loan
or otherwise for the construction OF several very
important bridges across the Schuylkin
One Of these, at Callowhill street, the plans Of
the utmost importance. The complexion OF this
bridge demands, and trust will claim, your early
For a long time past, Councils and the Commls
sion appointed by act Of Assembly for the erection
bridge across the schnykill at South street have
been AZ variance as to the powers and the right OF
the Commission TO issue bonds compelling the CITY
to pay for its erection II seems to be an admitted
fact that a bridge should be built at near thai
point. agree with many OF you in condemnng the
compulsory nature of the act itself, and the manner
in which the structure has been authorized, but Il
by several decisions OF our courts that the
is binding, and the law good. Having these seyera
decisions In yiew respectfully submit for your con
sideraion whether 1t Is not better at to ente
into such arrangements with the Commissioners a,
will provide for the issuing and security OF the
bonds, so that they may be taken at par value OF
that the city by Its own ocess take charge OF and
construct the bridge.
1t is q source Of much regret that the increased
expense OF maintaining our municipality, and the
proper desire not 10 increase I taxaron prevented
OF One-tenth OF one per cent required for the
tion os our much-needed public buildings. Although
itseems that this work cannot be commenced th
year. there is another work OF almost equal import
ance which you can Immediately begin Measures
can ut once be taken TO proceed with the extension
OF our County Prison; to reform and reorgaDiz,
our Fire Department; TO improve and beautfy ou
some suitable site, House OF Correction. And w
cannot ignore the fact that all this be done onl
by largely increasing our loan debt, by increased
percentages on present assessments, or by seeknt
new sources OF revenue by taxing other than rea
estate.
believe that whatever course we may pursue
there will be some to Ind fault, but the great ma
jOrty OF our constituents do not expect to hav
streets graded, bridges built, and other improve
ments made without cost They do ask, however
that their money should be properly and lud2iousl
CURED TO pay for water, that water should be give
tlem.
the line Of their property they demand that the pay
ing shall be done Of such materials and in such
manner that 1t will last somewhat longer than tn
time allowed for the collection OF the assessmen
bis
they ask that when they are inconvenienced O
n cir lives endangered by want OF proper bridg
facilities tnat such accommodations should be wisel
granted and substantially erected.
n conclusion, earnestly hope that we will TAX
Into serious consideration the importance OF tn
trusts committed to u.s. and so legislate ana car
for the interests OF our whole City as though the
were the individual interests OF each OF u.s. / fei
vently pray that whole course as COuncme
may be characterized by an enlightened and RbeTt
policy, just and economical expenditure OF the publ
moneys, and q faithful discharge OF our duties Ii
the full spirit of the obligation which have taken
Having thus brieny alluded to a few OF the I'm
pOrtant matters which from time to time will caiI
y0ur attention, ask your indulgence little longe
while say q few words for myself
The high position which, by your favor, no
occupy is not OF my own seeking, and therefore
feel how much need your indulgence for any errOI
or omissions into which may fall There al
among you those better acquainted with legslatly
practices and usases than am. ] do not hesitat
'who d0eth all things well, intend, as much as
me lies, faithfully and impartially TO discharge
the duties OF President Of Select Council. Yor
Kind iorbearance and strict compliance with tf
rules will make the duties slight and the positic
easy. / earnestly solicit your cooperation, al