Year: 1871

OuSHb 70 Oe given 10 COUNCILS, Luab lucy are Tue
proper bodies to erect these buildings, etc. 1
will for moment dwell on these two points.
First, in regard to the powers of the commits
sioners under this act. Why, gentlemen, do you
know that this board does not begin to possess
the powers of the Park Commissioners or the
Board of Trusts? Their powers are almost
supreme. But these gentlemen do not
commissioners they Inform you that the Park
Commissioners are now asking for one and half
million dollars, and that they have expended
millions already; nor do they complain of the
Board of Trusts, who have unlimited powers.
Why is this, and why is it that this hue and
cry is not raised against these different boards;
and the most singular fact of this
question is, that the gentlemen composing the
membership of these different boards, both
Park, Trusts, and South Street Bridge, are the
very same gentlemen, with the exception of
three, who compose the Board of Public Buildings
Commissioners. Now, gentlemen, If these COM
missioners are really as dangerous, and are the
corrupt men as represented by these oppo-
sition people, and that it becomes i'm
cumbent "a and imperative iIOlP for you
escspe to do the same with the other commits
sions, who are the very same gentlemen? Mr..
Chairman, merely reverted to this to show you
that it is not the extraordinary powers given
this commission nor the gentlemen who COM
pose it, but fight of personal interest and
locality; and charge this without fear or favor.
AS to Councils, 1t must be evident to all





these much needed public buildings.


First, because the history of the past has
clearly proved that they can never agree upon
site or plan. You know that they have had this
years. and that notwithstanding the great
need of court and municipal accommoda-
tions they have up to this time failed to
give accommodations required for our great
city. Second, they are a changeable body, and
no one set of men could remain long enough in
Councils to carry out so great and important
projects therefore 1t must be understood that
any bill or plan to refer this question back to
subject and to crafty the Washington
Squareites, few newspaper men
and ofiice-ietters, and the people Of our great
and beautiful city will be defeated in getting the
The people of Philadelphia have settled this
question by their votes at the last October cleo
ton, and they believed this vexed question set
tied forever. They did not believe it necessary,
nor do they yet believe it incumbent
them, to get up Ea demonstration against
the Washington SQuareites because they feel
secure in you, and in their repose they quietly
and patiently awaited your action, and will
expect from time TO time such additional legis-
lation as will enable the commissioners to pro-
ceed with the great work which you created
them for, and not to listen to the de8ur of a few
selfinterested parties, ,whopreceded
their appearance at the Capitol by petitions
obtained inHa manner already SO entirely fami-
liar to you that 1t would be needless for me to
| occupy your time in relating the many tricks
resorted to in obtaining names. These earnest
leaders, in their desperate efforts to secure aid,
| were compelled to resort to almost anything in
order to accomplish their ends Among others
| they called upon ex-Judge Findlay to
| aid them, who terribly denounces
this commission and who recently on a visit to
this Capitol denounced the Legislature and their
acts as monstrosity. This gentleman is now
the president of the South Street Bridge Com
mission, a body admitted to be more odious to
| the people and more complained of than any
| other This gentleman and his cooperators ask
you to abolish this commission and refer
gentleman not resign his position then if he
| does not believe in the system of a commission
now! Gentlemen it is not necessary for me to
say you know as well as do that it is the only
created all over the world to carry out all great
| projects, and if the city of New York had have
created commission for the purpose of erect
ing their city hall, they would not now
| be in their present difficulties, and
they would have had it finished long before this
and saved many millions of dollars but instead
they did adopt the very plan which these
gentlemen are asking you to do; and what
| begun under such auspices? will predict that
they would not be finished for the next twenty
years, and that they would cost as many mil
lions of dollars. If your commissioners were
allowed to proceed unembarrassed, l am well
satisfied that the buildings can be finished within
five years and at cost of less, by considerable,
| than Eve millions of dollars. Much has been
eaid about the extravaganza of this commission
and the loose manner in which they have con-
Quoted their business; now let me say that
these charges are wholly false and without
foundation. If abolished to day | believe
that q very small amount will cover
every dollar of obligations which have been
incurred, apd these are simply for advertising
for taking down the railing around the squares, etc
The commissioners did not proceed In haste as has
been alleged nor did they enter into any contract
whatever except for excayating, and in this they
have taken every precaution TO guard against
damages to the city. Now, gentlemen, trust that
have answered fully and to your entire satisfac.
ton, but there another point which IL does not for
get TO answer-our highly respectable frieod ami fe


lOWcitizen, Henry c. Lea In his address this morning
referred TO the financial condition OF our city


wherein he stated that the present debt OF Phadel


phia amounted to upwards of fifty millions, and thai


there are now loans pending for park, water, gas
South Street Bridge, House OF Correction, improve
ment OF BroaS street. amounting TO upwards OF nin'
he urged upon you the Importance of tn,
| abolition Of this commission, but almOs
| In the same sentence suggested that the CITY COun
| the buildings Now canuot conceive how the city,
| financial difficulties could be remeded by such


change OF front. 1t is simply the old aoage, "RSn


bipQ Peter TO pay Paul. or in other worGS to Civ


the Washington Squal cites another Chance for thei


idol project and to have especial favorites Of thei


own placed in power,


He did hot state to you the nature OF the diferen


loans about to be created, nor did he refer to tn


great incre ase OF the number OF our Inhabitants


now over three-feurths OF million, and the rapi


men OF the age are making uch rapid strides tha


our old fossils begin to be amazed an
ashamed at their Their lack of -, enterprise an an


assume t6t Sc great respo nsib es but, gentlemen
| we don't mean TO be put down by these people;
are determined to make Philadelphia what So
| chide us, terming us village They shall soon b.


gin to feel that We are great people, and that v