The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-12-19
PHrLADELPHrA,s CrTY HALL.



PHILADELPHIA Dec. 19-our City Hall. at
Broad and Market streets. was begun In 1872.
just twenty years ago. 1t will not he com.
rleted for twenty years to como II the same in
famous system is permitted to prevail This
seems not now likely. ne. for tho first time in
tho history Of the Public Buildings Commits
sion. City Councils have taken hold of the mat
ter with full determination to stoph reckless
profliRacy that is unprece dentcd In the history
OF American politics.
The Act OF Aug. g. 1870. creating tho Com
mission for the erection OF the Public Build
ings. named Theodore Cuyler. John Rico.
Samuel C. Perkins. John Price Wctherill. Lewis
C. Cassidy. Horny NJ. Phillips, William Stokes.
William Divine. Daniel NJ. Fox. Mayor OF tho
city. and Samuel W. Cattell and Louis Wagner.
Presidents Of Select and Common Councils. as
the Commissioners. All Of them. with tho OK.
ccption OF Louis Wagner and Samuel G. Per-
kins, are as tho Philadelphia poet so feelngly
describes II. gone. but not forgotten" Mr..
Perkins is the only ancient landmark now n
member Of the Commission to remind us by
his presence how Eir, Van Winkle-liRe man
Tho Act OF Assembly creating the Commis-
sion authorized 1t 10 I'LL any vacancies which
may happen by death resignation. or other
wise. and TO Increase the Commission tho
whole number not to exceed thirteen" Tho
most defiant Thirteen ever known In the
Wien The buns Was begun it was ost
M ma tn, o, NAT tte cost would not exceed
I'VE years: X has already cost SlH.OOU.tOU, has
been twenty years under construction. and IL
permitted to continue its present policy. would
work OF constructing tho building shall have
been completcd; say twenty years hencc. its
creating tho Commission also provides that
upon the entire com rction OF tho new build
nTs all the IinderenarncS
removed and the ground placed in good con
9ition by the Commission; as part 81 their
Independence square shall DO and remain
public walk and green forever,
act goes into operation the Commission will
acquire national notoriety. as the whole PEG.
nS s r or osa t9 he Of int Tsec c ill.,
inGs once occupied by the earliest Presidents.
Gy the Continental Congress- and where the
first session.
Another most infamous, feature Of the act is
the Mayor, City Controller. City Commission
ers. and City Treasurer. and OF all the other
c"nncs Of the city Of ZIP lad to Do and
irt al such acts In ala ana nromotion of
sion requires $4,000 for work to b. done
the City CONTROLLER countersign tho warrants.
and the City Treasurer pay tho bills without
| asking any question. A few years ago Coun-
ellis refused to give the Commission as much
ms It asked An appeal was carried into court.
| settled the business in short order.
All this Is about to be changed. An organ
izaton to secure better stree! navements has
| lust been effected. made up Jointly Of commit.
tees representing tho Ruildrrs' Exchange.
Municipal League, Milkmen's Exchange.
| Bakers League. builders Operative AssocIa-
ton. Citizens Reform Association. and other
and they vii! extend their operations In the
| direction Of tho Public Buildings Commission.
with the view Of lessening taxation by wiping
out Of existence that Commission.
| With such q healthy public sentiment
against it's intolerance and reckless misuse Of
| public funds. the days OF tho philadel rhia
| Public Buildings Commission are well nigh
numbered; City Councils will not vote another
| dollar TO the Buildings Commission to he eS-
pended without accountability: not another
| dollar can 1t use after Jan. ! except for the OBJ
Icct and In the manner designated by Coun-
ellis Hereafter the highest bidder for work
| ard materials Will give way to he lowest bid
der. An aroused public sentiment will sus-
tain Councils. and no court will interfere to
prevent integrity and honest methods in that
branch OF the public service.