Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-02-08
THIRTY YEARS AGO
An Anniversary That Was over
iooked-Mayor Moore az an Inter
national FIsure-pr. keeIy Re.
turns--A Relic Of Washington
BY GEORGE NOx MCCAIN

- the lie OF EDWIN Syuney Stuhrt was
permitted to pass without recognition a few
days ago.
1t was, at the same time. the anniversary
OF an unusual episode In local politics.
Particularly, when local partisanships IN
subsequent years are considered.
Just thirty years ago on the 18th OF Jan.
uary last Edwin s. Stuart was nominated
for Mayor of Philadelphia by Republican
convention in old HORTICULTURAL Hall.
Everything was 80 different then from
similar events in the following years.
The late lamented Major William II. Lam.
bert nominated Mr.. Stuart for Mayor and
made. one of his characteristically able
speeches
Then Henry F. Walton climbed up on a
chair, no rostrum for him. and seconded the
nomination in q short. lively speech.
After that the spectators In the conven-
tion witnessed most unusual sight.
INSTEAD Of calling the names OF the dele
i gates, the secretary simply called the
number Of the ward. There were only thirty
Eve wards then and the chairman Of each
delegation arose and cast every ballot for
Edwin s. Stuart.
There was no committee to slip out into
an adjoining room and escort the successful
candidate to the platform. 1t would have
been the proper thing had the candidate been
in the hall or In a neighboring hotel
But he was at home. His mother was
seriously i'll and he was at her bedside. Her
than a nomination Of Mayor for Phiadel-
phia.
He didn't receive official notification of
one OF the great events In his life until the
headed by the late Samuel y. IIuey. Of the
Twenty seventh ward, notified him OF the
fact.
With oil these ususual events clustered
around a step which really was the beginning
of an exceptionally brilliant career. 1t Is a
matter Of regret that its thirtieth anniversary
was not marked by some demonstration.
And yet il is dollars to pennies that the
president OF the Union League is as well
satisfied that the anniversary was permitted
t. pass unnoticed
Like as not he had forgotten all about 1t
himself.
| IF THERE is any citizen of Philadelphia
i who imngines that Philadelphias fight
| against bossism Is not a matter OF national
| interest then he or she needs to overhaul that
| faculty.
To 60 further, Phiadelphia's politics are
| really matter Of international curiosity
and comment because Of the character Of
| the fight.
As for Mayor Moore, his retirement from
! Congress to assume the position Of Mayor
| Of this city has not removed him by any
| means from his position as an American Of
| fcial whose doings and sayings arc Of inter-
| est, to n certain extent. on the other side
| Of the Atlantic as we'll as here.
| from one Of his semi occasional trips abroad
| He brings with. him evidence a. first hand
| of the above observations.
| DR.. keely Is surgeon OF our Philadelphia
| schoolship
| THE doctor came back from Europe on the
J. AQuitania after an absence Of three
months.
He was delighted to find his old friend.
| Sir Ernest Shacklcton. discoverer of the
| South Pole. on board when he took ship. Dr.
| K"cly. like Shackleton, has been an Arctic
| explorer.
| 10 was ono Of his possessions. It contained
a hulf-column editorial, headed "A Fight
Against Bossism." and It referred to the
| present situation in Philadelphia.
| quote one or two extracts from the Paris
editorial that are interesting because they are
| significant of the interest which our local po-
litical affairs attract on the other side.
"THE political history Of ]. Hampton
i Moore, Mayor Of Philadelphia. has GER &.
late Theodore Roosevelt. SO far as he has
yet revealed himself, he appears to be equally
devoted to high principles Of government and
equally master @ OF practical poiitics.'
an outline of the complexities Of boss rule
In Philadelphia. 1t closes with some ex-
prcssions which may be unpalatable to those
who have a pride in this city. when 1t says
goody. respectable citizens of Philadclphif
will sustain and vindicatc their valian,
champion. Such thing they have never
yet done.
class of inhabitants of American cities to b.
loud In their profession Of zeal for clear
government and always cowardly. indolen
and delinquent in performance.
HIDDEN away somewhere among q mas
dri"d.up spray of immorteles that plucke
from a great wreath as il was carried in tn
procession that followed the remains n
Victor Hugo to the Pantheon in Paris il
1t Is, presume. the only relic Of it's kin
OF that imposing event now in existence
The fact was recalled from its simiarit
10 another little memento mori in the pos
session Of lady in Atlantic City.
Those who visited the Centennial in 1870
and Independence Hall in the succeedin
years. will recall that one Of the curou
relics exhibited at the Centennial Exhibitio
were the partial remains of the arch undc
which Washington rode in Trenton when o
his way TO New York for his first inaugura
ton as President.
The arch had been preserved by the Nlisst
Armstrong and after exhibition In Phiadel
. phia was returned to Trenton. where, Mr.
, Thompson informs me, the only piece re
naming to be found is in the battle monu
ment.
The error IN tnlS hes IN the fact that II
lady 70 whom refer possesses d laurel lei
and a spray OF lockwood that were take
I from this arch and presented to her by Il
. descendants of one Of the young girls wi
represented one of the thirteen colonies /
4 Washington passed by.
a THERE happens TO be also in my possei
a sion an engraving Of this arch togeth
with the names of the matrons and girls wi
participated in the ceremonies on that o.
= Casion.
y II was from one Of the descendants Of Mr.
e Susannah Armstrong, wife Of the Re
II James Armstrong. that the little relic W
q transmitted to Mrs. Thompson.
t II there were some vast central museu
adequately endowed aud fully protect
r. against fire and pillage there is no dou
!. that thousands Of such curios, with othe
!" more important and valuable, would find
: resting place for all time and become a nee
Ic for the people of the entire country.
ls Independence Hall is a shrine and not
1T museum, hence the need Of such buldi
in or near this city: