Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-01-06
MAYORS AND MARRIAGES
The Office and the Ceremony Know
Intimacy and Matter OF Fees Is
Sometimes Problem
BY GEORGE NOX Mccain
LNX- GOVERNOR STUART is a brimu

BY GEORGE NOX MCCAIN
EN&-GOVERNOR STUART is a brimming
- reservoir of rare experiences. The advent
OF new administration for Philadelphia was
tho occasion for reminiscent mood in which
the reservoir of remembrance happily over
flowed
The Mayor of Philadelphia is called upon
to perform the marriage ceremony at infrc-
quent intervals. Where there are differences
of race or religion, or where the contracting
parties are aliens and u civil marriage is re-
quired under the statutes Of their native land,
the Mayor, or ofttncs a judge, is called
upon TO oficiatc
II is an unwrittcn law recognized by the
clergy, believe, that Il marriage fec is
perquistc of the minister's wife.
1t was Mayor Stuarts custom TO donate
it to some worthy city charity. Sometimes
no fec was Forthcoming. Nothing but a
''Thank you kindly, sir.
On one occasion Il masculine voice over
the phone insisted on an appointment be-
tween - and l of certain day, when the
Mayor could perform marriage ceremony.
The groom to be was so persistent that the
day and that particular hour were fixed as
he desired
The couple. by their dress and appear
ance, were in good circumstances. They were
departing after the fateful words, without
any suggestion of II fee aud n rather iudif
fcrcnt "tl'hank YOU" when Secretary Belt
Ter. who tshcrcd them out of the reception
room. inquired curiously:
why were you so particular about being
married between u and / o'clock?" With
out so much as smile the groom replied
"Wcll, you SEQ, it's lunch hour, aud l
didn't want to lose the time from work"
MANOR STUART, like all of his success
A'i sors down to J. Hampton Moore was
the target for otficescekcrs. The most per-
sistent was a widely known Irishman of his
dag, who had risen from the humble walks
to wealth and prominence. He never asked
anything for himself; always for some FREUD
or old associate who had been unsuccessful
in the struggle of life.
In this respect he answered the descrip
ton Francis Murphy. the apostle Of tenn
perance, once used: Sure he had a heart
in him as big aud warm cooking
stove.''
Yer Honor" said the Irishman in qucs
ton one day to the Mayor: ''Ye must be
givin' job t. me ould friend Jawn Mac
NIahon. He's Il foue man. He's Past
Gr~r- and Supreme Worshipful Master 'av
tn Companions av tn Purple Shield 'av tn
United States 'av Ameriky.'
But my dear Mr.. NJ, man like that
should hold high place. directorate, for
instance, and ! have 10 such vacancies" +"
replied his honor.
ooh, l dunno was the enigmatical re-
sponse.
what kind of position did you have
in mind for the gentleman?' asked the
Mayor.
well, / was thinkin mebby ye' cud give
i'm somethin' loke watchman on bridge"
The would be otfceholder was halter
who had once worked at the same bench
with his sponsor. The latter had put him
to the forefront as official of an obscure
secret order Hence his high sounding title
and his modest aspirations.
THE indignant public protest against the
l. now defunct Councils proposed grab of
desks and the appropriation for n Valky-
rian wassail is the last of its kind, | pre-
sumo, we shall see for years. There have
been some very crude, sordd and disgrace
full revels at the taxpayers expense in the
last three decades.
In connection with the early projects for
improving the Delaware recall story in
which the state was asked to make an ap
preparation. OF course, it demanded investi-
CATION by the Legislature. In conjunction
with a committee from Councils, as | recall,
they were to spend day 'ins pecting'' the
Delaware-and other things through glasses.
A river steamer was chartered and elabo-
rate plans laid to entertain the statesmen
from Harrisburg, particularly in the way of
moist refreshments
Harry Huhn, who was then speakers
clerk himself Phadelphian, was in
structed by the legislative committee to see
that everything was arranged in good taste
and abundance for the state capital solons.
Early on the morning of the excursion Mr..
Huhn, whose discriminating love of the good
things of life was universally known, went
on board the boat at the foot of Arch street
in full regalia of glossy curls. white vest and
shiny pot hat, on a final tour of inspection
In reply to his deep toned inquiry the
steward of the boat replied that he had pro
vided twenty cases of whisky, rye and
Scotch; fifty cases of champagne, five cases
of gin. thirty cases of beer, one case of soft
drinks and ten loaves of bread for sand
wiches for the $50 expected guests.
In n voice that betokened surprise and
Indignation Harry inquired:
"What in thunder are you doing with so
much bread?'
Only thunder" wasn't the word he used