The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1871-03-15
THE CO NJ MISSI) S.
Public Indignation
TRE TOWN MEETING
At Horticultural Hall.
Opinion of the People
e EmphaiiCally Expressed.
The SnneGhaS and ResnIuiinnc
At Horticultural Hall.
Opinion of the People
EmphafiCally e Expressed.
The Speeches and Resolutions.

II is clearly evident that the citizens of Phila-
delphia are not willing to have their rights
trampled out of existence by shameless Legs-
lature, for the immense demonstration in Horti-
cultural Hall last evening, where our citizens of
all parties rallied to protest against the 'com-
missions" bills, emphatically proved this fact.
The large hall was crowded by surging mass
of humanity, and when the hour for calling the
meeting to-order had arrived the audience had
risen to full measure of enthusiasm.
On the stage were seated a number of mem
bers CT Councils, the committee of arrange
ments, and the speakers of the evening.
The proceedings were in charge of the follow
ing Joint committee appointed at the last meet
irg Of Councils
George l.. Buzby, chairman; William Charl-
ton, George A. Schafer, w. F. Mitchell, George
w. Nickels, Of the Common Branch; and Sam
uel G. King, A. l.. Hodgdon, Charles Thompson
Jones, William .. Eanna and Hugh McIlvain,
of Select Council.
THE ORGANIZATION.
Promptly at eight o'clock George L. Buzby,
Esq, the chairman, called the meeting to order,
and nominated as chairman Hon. Daniel VI. Fox,
Mayor of the city of Philadelphia. His Honor
on presenting himself to the audience, was
fittipgly received, as the chief magistrate of the
city whose rights are imperilled with loud ap-
plause.i
MAYOR FoX's SPEECH.
Fellow Citizens-I have to thank you for the
honor you have done me in calling me to the chair.
1t is but seldom that the obligation devolves upon
Councils to invite conference with their fellow
citizens in mass meeting assembled. in relation to
matters of public concerD and if ever there was q
necessity for such course that occasion presents
itself at this time.
A deep.lsid scheme OF legislation has developed
itself, which, ii successful, will change the whole
entire control and management Of the cftys fran
chises and powers in the hands Of a few men
And members Of the legislature many Of Of whom
reside at great distances from here, and naturally
have but little interest in our local matters, to
be persuaded that this scandalous outrage upon
your rights ia to be for the public good.
4nd to add o to Its oI enomy PogeT is to be given
too, without the slightest voice of the people OF
It is proposed that this oligarchy-itis is nothing
less-shall take possession OF all the public pro-
perty and rent 1t as they may deem proper, regu-
late and control the public highways and pave and
re-pave, and with whatever material as they may
please open streete wherever and in whatever direc
take possession of the water works and regulate the
supply of water to the citizens, afford what protec-
ton they please be it much little, to persons
and property in short, add to the public debt at
will, and take as much money out of the peoples
pockets by way Of taxation as they may deem expe-
dient-nay, even the courts are to be put at their
command to enforce obedience to their DEGREES.
This monstrous preparation l. as one of the citi-
zens, cannot for one moment brook, and it is SO
tirely opposite to the genius and institutions of the
/ am for Philadelphia through its own elected
representatives regulating its own matters and If
it be true that the power Is in the people, let the
seventeen men selected for them, and not by them,
shall take possession of the city; and whether the
! people willing, without protest, to allow a sur
render of their rights after this fashion, If they
are have much mistaken the character and tenn
| per of the people among whom was born.
Gentlemen, inasmuch as this meeting seems to
have been convened responsive to message trans
mtted by me TO Councils on Thursday last. IL does
not become me to occupy you any longer. | there
fore proceed to the business of the evening.
ADDITIONAL OFFICERS.
The names of the officers of the meeting were
then read by Mr.. George G. Pierre, as follows
Vice Presidents Hons. William NJ Meredith Ho-
! Alexander Henry, Charles 'Gipin, James Campbell,
John W. FoTney, Charles, j. Biddle, n: B. Browne,
Dullitt William w. Harding, Joseph Harrison, Jr.,
Thomas g. Hand, George W. Blddle, William Rotch
Wkter, Seth j. Comlay, John o. Byrne.
First ward-Thomas It. Tasker, Jr., Andrew
second-Andrew NebiDger, NJ. D.. Arthur S.
Third~George Kelly, Captain L. Schenger.
Fourth-John U. GlleT, Arthur Hughes.
Fifh-James Page, Edmund j. Yard.
sixIh-Isaac II. 0Iiarra, Patrick Duly,
Seventh-CO. VIM. Bradford, Ferdinand ). Dreer.
ghth-Henry c. Carey, Henry b, Coke.
Ninth-ThomSs G. Hood, Joseph b. Myers.
EeVenth~Richard G. Lanning, Wan. VI. Kennedy.
Twelfth-Jobn +. Besterling jacob hlegel.
Fourteenth-Thos onSaIfET1hS THOMPSON HON VIM. Mccleary.
, Ffteenih-Wm. V. McGrath, VIM; Sellers
Sixteenth-James Nc10l, Daniel Wltham.
! venteepth-William o. Kline, A. II. Samuels.
FjRhteenth-C Chas. NJ. Luk6ns, John ROObiLs Jr.
Nineteenth-John Il. Mofltt, James Richie.
TWentieth-JacOb q. Neahe, James s. Watson.
TWenty-1Tst-John Markla, j. Vaughan Merrick.
Twenty-second-Cha Spencer, Chas. p Bayard,
nty-third-GeOrge Mcgee, Nathan Htles.
Twenty-fourth-James Roads, John +. o ross.
Twenty -fifth-Wm. M. Baird, A. j. Buckner.
Twenty -sXth-Lorin Blodgest Hon. j. X. Fiadiay.
Wenty-seyenth-Hon Ellis Lewis, II. Clare.
| Wenty-eighth-Hiram Miller, VIM. l. MorIsoh.
TWenty-Dinth-Philip p MinRle, A. u. ShotL
Secretaries Samuel Bell, George truman Ji.'
Joseph Mnls, 5. V. Pennypacker, JAMES n; Y ANTI
John K. Addicks, George &. Pierie, James DoosOn'
Samuel Robb, William j. VAIN, L' w an Smiln'
Edward d. Wei, aud George Lynch
The list was endorsed by the vote OF the meet
ing and was followed by march performed by
tbe hand. who were seated in the east gallery.
THE RESOLUTIONS.
The following preamble and resolutions were
offered by William b. Hanna, Esq, aud read
by George G. Pierre, Esq.;-
we, the people of the city of Philadelphia, with
ont distinction of party, in general mass c9hNen-
tion assembled, impelled by the common uenger
which threatens all in the passage Dy the otase
Legislature of certain acts OF Assembly, now peno-
ing in the House of Representatives, known ~
'the commission bills" DO most earnestly protest
and remonstrate against their passage, And assign
for cause of our renOnstr anee and protest;
Firsf That the effect OF these acts Will be "a
hand over for nve years the city and its wealth,