Wilmington daily commercial., 1872-01-06

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Special Correspondence Of he Commercial;
Such civic spectacle as that presented here
last Monday shows that there is something very
tangible indeed in Government OF the people
and for the people. There is no escaping the
moral Of such demonstration Here, among
other things, was a complete change of the Po-
lice Administration Of great city, involving
every officer from the highest to the lowest, and
the transfer scarcely casting ripple upon the
days current of business or pleasure. When it
is remembered that these places are political
gifts and that they particularly interest the
rougher elements Of society, and when it is fur
ther borne in mind that the change concerned
two thousand OF these men Immediately, and,
counting their several adherents and the still
greater number Of disappointed applicants, in all
not less than ten thousand men,-that radical
change should be made in a few minutes and
without the least disorder il highly significant.
We may hold by free institutions short time
longer.
This was the heaviest end of the work of New
Years Day, but other important matters were
also accomplished. Mayor Fox babe his asso-
ciates farewell and retired from office. In doing
So he said it afforded him grateful relief, and
he was no doubt sincere. He has been badgered
nearly to death, poor man, for his whole term.
He is fat and comfortably well off, however, and
bis official worries went only skin deep, guess,
but il a dyspeptic or man of weak vitality had
endured what old Fox has gone through he
would be used up for the rest Of his natural life.
From II until II o'clock the city had no Mayor.
The retiring Chief Magistrate resigned at the
former hour and the Mayor elect was not sworn
in until noon. What those Wretched Tyrants
who occupy ssme OF those Topping Thrones
over there might have done il they had known
OF this opening, il is impossible to say Luckily
they were ignorant and the inteTegnum passed
without any breach OF the peace. Mayor Stokley
upon taking the oath Of Office, delivered very
straightforward, practical and honest address
that has made highly favorable impression. He
made a " hit at the start and We all hope that
he may keep it up. Added to all this, both
branches Of Council organized fer the new year.
Mr.. HUM was reelected President OF the Com
mon Branch and Mr.. Lttleton was elected Presi-
dent Of Select Council. Both choices give popu-
lar satisfaction.
Our new Police forms the topic Of much of
talk of the week. Thus far 1t has been grand
success, although, az yet, the men have had lit
tie to do except thow off their fine clothes which
are indeed all that that enterprising merchant,
Mr.. W-n-k-r promised they should be. To be
sure dash was made by the reserves only an
hour or so after they were sworn in, on the Bed
ford-St District. The delight Of the colored
people on the appearance OF Republican police
men, was feryent and unmstakable. Mayor
Stokley make complete change in this de-
partment. His appointments were all made
some time since and the parties notified to meet
at places convenient to the station houses in the
various districts. At the call of the o'clock roll
they were sworn in by the Committing Magis-
trates of the several districts, and at once issued
upon the discharge OF their duties. The Demo-
| Gratis say they served their opponents better at
the beginning OF the last Mayors term, mas
much as Mr.. FoX's changes were made more
gradually, some Of Mayor AIcMichaels officers
keeping their places for year under Democratic
rule. But circumstances alter cases--besides,
Mayor Fox said expressly at the beginning OF
| his term that no man should be dismissed upon
| political grounds, although before his time was
half out he had reconsidered that matter bravely.
| But no such promise was made this time The
force consists at present of chief at salary of
| S250O 4 captains, salaries Of 1880 eight de-
tectives, 1900 each q lieutenants, $1l5O each;
| and 1905 policemen, $3.50 each.
| 1t did the heart Of every true citizen good to
| read yesterday, the charge OF Judge Pierce to
/ the Grand Jury. The portions relating to the
rum traffic were to the point, but the onslaught
| on quack Doctors and quack advertising was the
great matter. The Judge could speak more
/ plainly than can in this way, but every reader
| will understand me, nevertheless, and will
know too who the principal offender in this di-
| rection is. His Honor, said truly, that man
| could scarcely take any paper home to his wife
| and daughters that did not contain advertise
ments that he would be ashamed to read TO his
/ family. Certainly this is gross immorality and
the wonder is that decent people have not pro-
i tested against ii long ago. Judge Pierce assured
the Jury that they could protest and to some
/ purpose, that they had the law clearly on their
| side, and that ii was the duty of the Jury and
| the officers of the law to take direct action.
/ These advertisers used to skulk in obscure cor
ners of the papers, but now they flaunt boldly
| by the column and the whole page in the most
prominent places. That snch state Of things is
possible is a disgrace to our newspaper press.
The question, how shall the Delaware be kept
| unobstructed in the winter season is becoming
grayer one, each year. 1t is folly for Philadel
phians to talk Of competing with New York
| commercially, when our importers cannot get
| their goods in season owing to the river being
| blockaded with ice We are at great dsadvan-
/ tage, being 80 far from the sea, at the best Of
times, and when the ice nuisance is added to the
| usual troubles it is no wonder at all that mer-
/ chants give up the case and ship their goods by
/ way of New York II seems that all we have to
| depend upon is the help Afforded by the Ice
Boats, and there has been great complaint as to
the manner in which those vessels are managed.
| A meeting was held in the Commercial Exchange
yesterday, to consider the matter, whereat it was
argued first that coalng stations should be es-
tablished at points down the river, such as
| Chester and New Castle-and-se an
additional boat was imperatively demanded, and
should be built at once. The matter Of coaling
| stations is very important. As the case stands
30 much time is lost by the boats returning to
the wharves for fuel that any good they may
have done in the lower part of the river is dissi
pated. But these ice boats are, after all, but a
ilimsy protection to the commerce OF a great
city. reform must go deeper to be of perma-
nent good. 1t may be that great shipping de-
pet may have to be established at some point
down the river whence goods may be brought to
the city by rail-
The rooms of the historical Society have been
for years one of the pleasantest resorts in Phil
adelpha for thoughtful people. For a longer
time than have any knowledge of, there have
b cen located in the AthenWum Building on Sixth
street opposite Washington Square, until very
recently, when they were removed to a building
on the Pennsylvania Hospital premises at 9th
and Spruce streets. There is much better accom-
odation here for the treasures of the Society II
is very restful to step into these after the
hurry of business and the streets, to drop into
that almost unnatural quiet, gives one relief
not attainable in many places in the crowded
city. The Philadelphia Library is one other such
place, but l can hardly name a third. Such Of
your readers as love old times and are fond OF
relics and curiosities, should endeavor some time
in visiting the city to spare an hour or twoat the
Historical Society.
Mr.. Wachtel has succeeded in creating gem
uine sensation. He is a great artist beyond
doubt but the principal graduation on all hands
relates to the complete selling" Of the Stra-
kosch Management, Let it be ever thus with
adventuring Germo-Itaans who contend that
Philadelphians love money better than music or
that they are too much afraid OF the small pox
to 90 to the Opera. "a plague Of all towards.
1t il possible, indeed, that good many went to
hear Wachtel out of pure spite. The impressive
| DE VirO (yOu might think him Gar of all thf