Delaware tribune. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1867-1877, 1876-01-06
philadelphia.
OUR sATuR DAY LETrER.

TEE COMMON COUNCILS Wharf.-The RAID OK PRyrI-
DENT HENszEY-crTY FINANCES UNDER RiSd
RuLE-THE PATENT PAVEMENT rRoJscr-usH-
ERIEa IN TUE CENTENNIAL NEW YEAR-LIBEL OF
COMMON PLvAs JuDdEs-oPPostr1oN To THE
FRONT STREET RAILWAY ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
ON EIrHfR EIDE, 10, &c.
Special Correspondence Of the Commercial
PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 81, 1876
The leading excitement Of the week IL in 4
political direction and has resulted in one Of
tho most determined contests seen here in
years. 1t IL an effort to change Counclmsnic
rule and to get rid Of the plunderers who have
succeeded in a short time in 80 frightfnlly In
creasipg the city debt that il the process goes
on much longer the municipality will be hope
Iessly bankrupt. Our financial problem has Of
ton been enlarged upon in the correspondence
10 often that have sometimes feared readers
might weary Of the subject. But what deere
ton has the chronicler in the-matterP 1t isa
question of vast, might say Of preponderating,
Importance to Philadelphians, and the writer
would give very imperfect idea OF feeling
here who did not persist in directing attention
to it, Tho attempt now making 10 to overthrow
the ..Ring" in Councils which has its acknowl-
edged head in Mr.. A. Wilson Hens zey, President
OF the Common branch Henszey Was renomins-
ted in most questionable way by caucus as
senbled nearly year ago and Hnen ms
present term had barely commenced. This fact
showed the determination OF the Ring to
perpetuste their rule at all hazards, and despite
the current struggle it seems likely to pe i'm.
medlately successful. The members who voted
in csucus tor Honsney ~Ay that they are pledged
now to one course OF action ana CANNOT go pnck
from that promise. But the effort IL, for all
that, by no means useless People have been at
last wakened up to the necessity Of action, and
although Henszey may go IN for another term
the present agitation must result in snch re-
turn OF Councilmen in the February election AS
will enfectuslly change the course OF local legih-
lation before very long. ......
Unauestionably the case against the Ring is
very strong indeed it is unansw erable, and no
attempt is made to controvert the facts shown
by the Telegraph, Times, Press, Ledger and In
ouirer, Journals which hold the opposite view
have nothing to say, for figures arc stubborn
things and they are here in plenty, and taken
| from the official public records. Here are few
samples OF them. When Henszey. first was
elected President Of Common Councils the float
| ing debt Of the city was 81, Jas 450 1t is now
(after three years. s9,5l2.5l7. Again, the ex-
s1I, ,2s2. ss2 for 1876 the expenses are esti-
mated at s14,539 1856 Again. tho liabilities
Of the city in 1873 were sl67 $50 $40 fol 1876
they are estimated at $26296 2s3, an
increase Of nearly 81 per cent in three years
But the most startling Of all the array Of facts
which the papers have been digging out to burl
at the Ring this week is that while property has
increased in value about 13 per cent in the three
years of Henszey's rule the amount required by
taxation in the same time has increased "a per
cent; the exact figures OF the latter clause being
in 1873, $10,394, ,753 and in 1876 sl7, 600 0s0.
Quot erdt s,rdndun. The telegraph has
led in this fight, and has made AZ fine stand
for the people as has lately been seen IN news
paper way herea bouts, but the Ledqer pointedly
remarks that two years ago it (the Ledger made
substantially the came charges Al are now being
made but could obtain no following II the war
now waging had been fought then we should at
present be out Of the tolls. There is something
yery spasmodic in the virtue OF the local press
One OF the most recent infctions Of the Coun-
Gil managers upon the public is, as you are
aware, the improved pavement Job, by which
it in proposed to luin Green street and other fine
avenues leading into the park from the East
Not q word can be heard in favor Of the asphalt
pavement while perfect chorus is raised against
it, but tho jobbers go on much ss though the
Wax Populi was an exploded idea. But the re-
formers are jubilaut to day over the fact thai
, Select Council struck out Of the appropriation
20 the Highway Department for 1876 tht
! amount to be paid for the improved pave
meut This is taken by some as prel,minar,
, victory for tho anti Henszcy party. Whether
the refusal of the Select Branch to pass the sp
proprjation will prevent the laying Of the pave
. inent ia vet to be seen. The ordinance provid
! ing therefor has been passed, and 1t is clamet
ia some quarters that it ia not necessary to wal
! nance the work can go oil and the city be sue
, for payment.
Rarely has any proposition been prompt
! ly united with az the proposal TO usher III IN
!. Centennial New Year with illumination and 9th
. | or evidences OF rejoicing. The suggestion "took
| "A soon ~ made and the author Of it shou!t
!. make himself known, giving indisputabie proof
y OF course, of the genuineness OF his claim. frof
!. what can gather the illumination Of the cit
'a tonight will be quite general. What pity tn
y New Year comes 80 late at night, but that is on
II !, Of the things that cannot be helped. Th
- "watch meeting" always seemed queer sort {
Il dissipation for people 80 staid aud orderly
~ =. old times; nova days they do not appear III
y y way different from mere ''folks-" watch NEE
"A ing OF mammoth proportions will be he
ID tonight at the Market ,t,n, street III. ~.
~ ~ has been seen in the world. independent
~ Hall ia to be Illuminated and all the churt
r bells are to ring ct midnight. But why do
noise signify rejoicing2 Here we have bet
irving to put down the gunpowder nuisance,
lie late years, and with some success, but now '
y give fresh license to it. The authorities op'
"a the ball by firing an artillery salute in Indepe
y" dence Square, aud with such roaring examp
he small followers will Of course be numerou
gh How many promising youths all over the cou
o. uy, who At this moment have their full col
ss pl.ment Of fingers and thumbs will in q
cd course OF . few hours, be minus some Of tho
oe precious members! But it is tho old story
OF lug cannons in Independence Square in the mi
ai die OF the night is simply baIbaric. Please
in music It will be for sick people
ad The singular fact Of charge Of libel bel
ow brought against newspaper by several Of Q
lth best known Judges attracts great deal Of
he teption. The concern sued ls the Sunday Trt
AN script edited by Mr.. E. W, G. Greene, and |
us charge made by Judges Ludlow, Fnletter .
ing Lynd Of the Court Of Common Pleas is that
hat Transcript made . defamatory statement
in the effect that the decree published by
'ns Judges named in tho dispute between the Che
Irly mt and Walnut, and Market Street Railw
My was not the one announced at the close Of
ght ',ourous argument in Court, but that
ms Judges finding they had tlundered had I'M
+ Of nolIsted the words "by consent Of Paintif
lue The charge as affecting the honor And die,
'ea- OF the Bench, is seen to be . serious one,
sur Judge Ludlow, though slow to anger, WAS
dently moved - he called the attention Of
District Attorney to the subject in open Co
new The Grand Jury has found q true bill aga
Mr.. Greene Suits for libel are 9snernllv brou