The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1871-03-15
THE COMMISSIONS.

Commissioners and their swarms of agents, con-
people of Philadelphia to their chosen represen-
fetiyes in Councils.
Second, Because the Commissioners are to be
appointed, not by the people whose mllhons they
are to expend and whose property they are to
control, but by the Legislature, many of whose
members are totally unacquainted with our needs
Third. Because these acts empower the Commits
alton the Commissioners may think 6t, which is
taxation without representations thus striking
blow at the most cherished principle OF republican
Fourth Because these acts will open the door to
the most stupendous corruption, which may ensue
from this wholesale transfer to irresponsible Com
mssioners of the control of the public expendi-
Fifth. Because these acts sweep away our ancient
privileges and long-enjoyed municipal franchises,
and launch our city, with all its hopes and destnes,
upon unknown and dangerous seas
Sixth. Because these acts sought to be passed
without single petition to the Legislature in their
their authors not daring publicly to advocate them,
but issuing anonymous communications TO mlslead
we have just right to believe and to infer that
their end and design is to enrich themselves at the
public EXPENSE and with the vast funds under their
control to perpetuate their tenure of office.
We therefore, the people of this city, city sufi-
ciently great of herself to constitute Common
wealth, the very birthplace of American liberty,
are here to-day assembled to reafrm that immortal
declaration of our fathers upon which the flight of
passing years only sheds additional lustre, rthat
governments are Instituted among men, deriving
their just powers from the consent of the gov
erned."
Resolved, That we solemnly and earnestly invoke
the members of the Legislature of our State not to
pass those ruinous commission bills, which, in fact
declare the metropolis of the State unfit for self
Welfare and dignity to protect and guard her from
the bad men who are seeking to plunder and de-
Resolved That no argument in favor of these in
iquitous Commission schemes can be based upon
any alleged maladministration of municipal affairs,
because ii there be such maladminstration of af
fairs, the people who suffer are themselves respon-
sbe for 1t, and can at the next election, correct the
evils.
Resolved, That the men from Philadelphia who
have inaugurated and presented to the Legislature
and taxpayer; are Arnolds to their country, and
Judasses to their constituents, and should have the
finger scorn pointed at them by every honest man
and lover of his country.
Resolved, That the faithful representatives from
are entitled to the thanks of every citizen of PRiIs
delPhia and nd they viii Justly earn our unbOunded
gratitude tp by defeating those iniqutous schemes,
honorable mention shall be made in the annals
OF Philadelphia of their faithful and unbought SER
vices
Resolved That the president of this meeting
transmit to the Governor and each member of the
Senate and House of Representatives a copy of the
proceedings of this meeting.
Resolved, That a committee of fifty be appointed
Governor and Legislature such memorials and
remonstrances against the passage of the said Com
mission bills as they may deem advisable and
proper
Resolved, That the passage of the bills to create
new Commissioners, now pending the action of the
legislature would deprive the citizens of PhiladeI-
phia of fundamental rights and would virtually
declare them incapable of self-government
Resolved, That Capitalization of power in the
hands of few, is inconsistent with the principles
of true Democracy, and that we will oppose it by
all honorable means.
Resolved, That all public officers should be
chosen by the electors whom they represent, and
that their compensation should be fixed by law at
salary proportionate to the services rendered, and
all fees profits, or increase of the offices should be
paid into the public treasury.
Resolved, That all public officers guilty of de-
frauding the government should be disfranchised
and disqualified from holding any office of trust or
profit under the government thereafter.
The chairman then stated that the preamble and
resolutions were before the meeting, and In that
connection he had the honor to introduce of his
predecessors, the Hon. Richard VauX.
REMARKS OF HON. Mr.. vAUx.
The speaker, after the applause had subsidized,
spoke in substance as follOws:-
Mr.. President and Gentlemen Accepting the
invitation of the committee TO address this meeting,
| am here for the simple purpose OF making some
suggestions in regard to the impolicy and impro-
priety OF the interference with municipal affairs
by the introduction of these commission bills | am
not here to discuss the perfection of our municipal
government.
There may be diversity OF opinion on this point
1t is not TO criticize the present system OF municipal
government, but to protest against the system by
which the people OF this city to be deprived of
their right of representative government. (Ap-
plause} From the time that the tea was thrown
into Boston harbor has been held that the people
were the source OF all authority and power and
hence entitled to govern themselves This has not
been denied, and II it 49, that denial is to be set
large concourse OF citizens here this evening.
(Appause.l
That is the purpose for which this meeting was
convened, to reafiTm this great American principle,
giving to the people the right to make their own
policy and laws So far as these bills are concerned,
SO far as the members OF the Legislature con-
cerned have nothing to say do not wish TO crlti-
cze or to censure, but merely TO suggest tnat the
members of the Legislature may be enlightened as
TO the opinion of the people Of Philadelphia in
regard to this movement on their part. And l
hope that when these legislators will learn
what is the great voice of the people OF this
city, they win stop and think before they set up
their own judgments against that OF an independent
and sovereign people. have another objection to
these bills, which is perhaps equally fatal. The
financial view OF the sub ject is very important one,
as is also the potco- economical view to those who
are interested in this sphere of municipal lfe This
question addresses itself to the home feelings and
the head of the family. In Philadelphia there are
more covering heads OF families tn IN in New
York and Boston put together. Here IL is that our
future prosperity is imperilled This much do say
there are more houses owned by the industry of the
people than in any other city under Gods heaven
OF all the houses in this city 33 per cent are owned
by individuals who have paid from $1,000 to $4,000
About 35 per cent. are owned by members of the in
dustral classics by means OF building associations
It is in behalf OF this class that l appeal to the
Legislature to desist from system which Will take
miserable their industrious and worthy occupants.
The speaker here quoted goodly array OF figures
TO sustain this point OF his argument He affirmed
that this city pays fully onehaf OF the entire re-
ceipts OF the State taxes and that If this scheme
were TO succeed the debt OF the city OF Philadelphia
would be increased nom fifty millions to eighty
stances poor man would no longer be able to own
property. You were called upon &c pay during the
year 1870 over eighteen million OF dollars Ia capital
and labor 10 support the city government. II that
be anything like the actual condition OF affairs
now, what VIII It be with the creation OF some
nye or SIX commissions? Wilmington, neighbor-
ing city IS exceedingly prosperous, with several
large branches OF industry simply because the taxa
lion Is lell IN the hands OF the city government.