USA > Pennsylvania > The Register of Pennsylvania : devoted to the preservation of facts and documents and every other kind of useful information respecting the state of Pennsylvania, Vol. XII > Part 9
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The Prison in Walnut street presented a degree of order and cleanliness which is highly creditable to the inspectors and keepers. There were but few sick in any of the Prisons, and none with what are termed ma- lignant diseases. The Inquest, in taking leave of this subject, cannot but congratulate their fellow citizens upon the change which will soon be made by the demo- lition of the two prisons alluded to, and the transfer of the prisoners to that which is now being erected in Federal street-the discipline of which will be conform. ed to that which is so benevolently and faithfully admin- istered in the Prison at Cherry Hill.
SAMUEL J. ROBBINS, Foreman.
Wm. S. Perot,
I. Collins,
R. W. Pomeroy, Richard S. Risley,
Francis Smith, Owen McGirr,
Joseph W. Buzby,
Joseph Paul,
J. Troubat, Edward Parker, Charles White,
John Wiegand,
Henry Duhring,
Thos. Stokley,
Jonas Gleason,
Jacob Beck,
James Rowland,
Thos. Koehler.
From the Philadelphia Gazette. PROCEEDINGS OF COUNCILS. Thursday evening, June 13, 1833.
SELECT COUNCIL .- The following communica- tion was received.
Office of the Board of Commissioners of the 3
Girard Estates, June 11, 1833.
At a meeting of the Board held this day, the Treasu- rer of the Girard Trust informed that on the 25th May 1833, the Executors of Stephen Girard filed an account at the Register's Office, and communicated the following extract therefrom, which the Board ordered to be trans- mitted to Councils.
Gross amount paid over by Executors, 4,030,384 2 Commissions allowed for trouble on $2,777,863 66, 2} 69,446 68
Commissioners allowed for trouble on $1,886,756 14, 5 94,337 80
Balance due to the + state, 470,451 40
From the Minutes.
MORGAN ASH, Secretary.
26
PROCEEDINGS OF COUNCILS.
JULY ]
Treasurer's office of the Girard Trust, 2 March 30th, 1833.
To the President and Members of the Select and Com- mon Councils.
Gentlemen,-I herewith present to Councils an ac- count of the receipts and payments of the Girard Trust Fund for the first quarter of the year 1833, ending this day, by which you will find that the whole amount of cash received in this quarter is $26,753 16.100, and the amount of pay ments in the same time was $11,776 82-100, leaving a balance in the treasury of $34,407 73-100.
The receipts are from the following sources: For rents of real estate, 17,370 50
Dividend for six months on the Schuylkill Navigation Company's stock, 5,500 00
Three months interest on the Schuylkill Na- vigation Company's loan, 3,655 44
Six months interest on the Schuylkill Navi- gation Company's loan for the fund to pur- chase fuel for poor white housekeepers and roomkeepers in the city of Philadel- phia,
227 22
$26,753 15
The payments are chargeable to
Real estate for repairs and materials, 2,426 12
Girard College, premium for plans, &c. 1,254 50
Incidental expences including salaries, 2,224 98
Annuities six months in advance, 2,350 00
Water rents for 1833, 375 00
George Pepper, interest due on his mortgage in the disputed part of the estate, 1,575 00
Districts of Spring Garden and the Northern Liberties for putting down iron water pipes and paving, 1,453 72
The Weccacoe and Moyamensing Meadow
Company for Bank assessment, 117 50
$11,776 82
You will also find annexed to the account a schedule of the personal property that has been passed to mne for the City Corporation by the Executors in the present quarter, the par value of which is $2,088, 177, and the valuation by the Executors of the same, >2,403,235 67 and there is a large amount of personal property yet to be received. I have also to inform Councils that there is due for rents outstanding to the first January 1833, $1808 5-100, of which $526 64-100 belong to the disputed part of the estate. The rents due for this quarter payable on the first of April instant, is $13,454 40-100, including $801 40-100, due to the disputed part of the estate.
All of which is respectfully submitted by your very obedient servant,
BRITAIN COOPER, Treasurer of the Girard Trust.
The annexed communication was received from John Elliott, and was referred to the Paving Committee with power to act.
To the President and Members of the Select Council.
The subscriber, proprietor of a Chemical Laboratory, on Pine and Schuylkill Fourth street, respectfully re- presents, That in the progress of his business, (the manufacture of Chrome Yellow and Green, Prussian Blue, &c.) a considerable quantity of waste water ne- cessarily passes off, parti lly tinged with those sub- stances, which from its unsightly appearance, excites the apprehension of the neighbours; and when a cow or other domestic animal dies in the vicinity, reports are circulated, that the water from the Laboratory had goccasioned it. The object of the present communica- ion is to request, that you will permit him to introduce !
an iron pipe into the culvert, near the corner of Pine and Schuylkill Fourth street, which if granted, he will undertake to have so guarded, as to prevent any incon- venience arising from the introduction of mud, or other obstructing substances into the culvert.
Your compliance herewith will much oblige your friend, &c.
JOHN ELLIOTT.
Philadelphia, 6 mo. 13th, 1833.
The following communication was received, and was referred to the Committee on Gas.
To the Select and Common Councils.
Gentlemen,-I perceive by the newspapers, that the subject of lighting this city with Gas, has been discuss- ed by you with much ardour.
The advantage that would accrue to the public by substituting a more brilliant for the present dim, and al- most imperceivable light, and at a much cheaper rate, (the expence being less than one half of that of oil, ) are well known to you.
Against the introduction of Gas it has been argued that it would destroy the fish in our rivers. That its manufacture would be attended with noxious and disa- greeable effluvia-that constant explosions would ne- cessarily take place, resulting often in serious accidents, and even in loss of life. But these objections cannot possibly be made to the introduction of the material or spirit gas, it being of a portable nature, the same as oil, and the manufacture of which is attended with no more danger than that article-and as respects the noxious smell and disagreeable effluvia of the air gas, is the ve- ry reverse of the other, the smell of which is rather agreeable than otherwise, and in my opinion, would tend to purify the air, and thereby dispel or prevent in a manner infectious disease.
It is my belief that a lamp can be constructed in which the aforesaid gas can be burned in the streets, even in the most tempestuous weather. If you con- clude to introduce a more splendid light at a much cheaper rate, and will pay the expenses for having a model made, I will attend to the construction thereof, and should it succeed, you can take out a patent for the same, for which I will be willing to allow the city and county one half the profits ensuing therefrom.
The expense for having a model made will not ex- ceed twenty dollars, and perhaps not ten.
Subjoined you have a plan, on which the aforesaid lamp is to be constructed with explanations of the dif- ferent parts.
I am gentlemen, very respectfully, yours, &c. ROBERT TEMPLE.
Mr. J. P. Wetherill presented a petition, praying that the drays and wheelbarrows may be removed from Third street above Market, which was referred to the committee on Markets.
Mr. Worrall presented the following petition, which was referred to the Paving Committee.
To the Select and Common Councils of the city of Philadelphia.
The petition of the subscribers respectfully showeth, That the water in Locust, street west of Tenth street, passes down the said Locust street to Ninth street, where it empties into the culvert in Ninth street, and that in times of heavy rain the water is so swelled as to render the corners at Ninth and Tenth streets almost impassable :- that in the winter time the gutters at the corner of Tenth and Locust streets become obstructed with ice, rendering the crossing very dangerous to car- riages.
A number of alleys west of Tenth street empty into Locust street, which added to the dye stuffs from a dye- house in Locust street, form an accumulation of filth very annoying to the inhabitants between Ninth and T'enth streets.
27
PROCEEDINGS OF COUNCILS.
1833.]
Your petitioners are informed that there is a culvert in Tenth street, into which the waters may be carried on the west side of said street above and below Locust street, and if Councils should direct the water so to be conveyed, it would be a great relief to the petitioners and the public-and your petitioners accordingly pray you to direct the same to be done, and they will ever pray, &c.
May 30, 1833.
Mr. J. P. Wetherill presented the annexed commu- nication from the Commissioners of Kensington Dis- trict, and offered the following resolution, which was adopted.
Kensington, June 7th, 1833.
By the Commissioners of the Kensington District:
Resolved, That the Committee on the introduction of the Schuylkill water, be and they are hereby direct- ed to confer with the City Councils relative to the terms on which a supply of said water can be obtained from them.
Extracts from the Minutes.
R. HODGSON, Clerk. Kensington, 12th June, 1833.
To the Honourable the Select and Common Councils of the city of Philadelphia.
Gentlemen :- The undersigned a committee of the Board of Commissioners for the District of Kensington, in the Township of the Northern Liberties, of the coun- ty of Philadelphia, would respectfully represent, That the aforesaid District and the Commissioners of the in- corporated part of the Northern Liberties, are now about to close upon the terms for the use of the main sections which convey the Schuylkill water into said Districts of the Northern Liberties. Previous however to a definitive ratification of the agreement now in con- sideration, the undersigned deem it necessary to be in- formed whether or not it will be the sense of your ho- nourable body to adopt an agreement, the memoranda of which you herewith receive, made some time since, and which was then, and now is, satisfactory to the Board, which the undersigned have the lionour to re- present. Very respectfully,
MAHLON DUNGAN, Chairman of the Watering Committee.
Resolved, That the application from the Commission- ers of the District of Kensington asking for a supply of Schuylkill water, be, and the same is hereby referred to the Watering Committee, who are hereby authorized and directed to enter into an agreement with the Com- missioners of the same, for the purpose of supplying the said district with the Schuylkill water, to be condi- tioned in the same manner as the agreements entered into with the districts adjoining the city, giving and re- ceiving a supply of the water aforesaid, and should the said Commissioners of the District of Kensington in- stead of attaching to the city main on Vine street, attach to the pipes of the Commissioners of the District of the Northern Liberties, that, the committee aforesaid, be, and they are hereby directed to have all the rights and privileges of the Mayor, Aldermen and citizens of the city of Philadelphia, effectually provided for and guard- ed through the Commissioners of the District of the Northern Liberties, and those of the District of Ken sington, and the Mayor is hereby authorised and re- quested to affix the city seal to the same.
Mr. Neff moved that the Select Council go into a committee of the whole, relative to the compensation of the 'Trustees of the Girard Bank, which was not agreed to, and the Select Council non- concurred in the resolution passed by the Common Council.
Mr. J. P. Wetherill, offered the two following resolu- tions, which were adopted.
Resolved, That the Commissioners of the Girard Es- tates be instructed to take measures to contest the l
charge made for commissions by the Executors of Ste- phen Girard, on their accounts filed in the Register's Office, which in the opinion of these Councils is exces- sive.
Resolved, by the Select and Common Councils, that the Clerks of Councils be requested to obtain a certified copy of the account or accounts as filed in the Regis- ter's Office by the Executors of the late Stephen Gi- rard, and have the same printed for the use of Councils.
COMMON COUNCIL -Mr. McMullin presented a petition from the Farmers attending the new Market, in Second street, which was referred to the Committee on Markets.
Mr. Smith presented the annexed petition which was referred to a joint committee of two members of each Council, and Messrs, Smith and Elliott were appoint- ed the Committee on behalf of the Common Council, but the Select did not act on it.
The petition of the subscribers, builders and others, respectfully showeth :- That they experience much dif- ficulty in getting their lots regulated ready for build- ing, in consequence of there being but one acting re. gulator in the city .
They respectfully ask of Councils to make such al- terations in the existing laws relative to regulators, as will prevent any person holding that situation who is not a resident citizen of the city, ready at all times to at . tend at the call of the citizens.
Mr. Gilder, as Chairman of the Committee made the following report, accompanied with the following do. cuments and resolutions, which were adopted by the Common Council, but were amended by the Select Council. 688.5
I propose to make a statue of the late Stephen Girard, at least as large as life, of the best Italian marble, to be an accurate likeness and similar to a model I have alrea- dy made and exhibited, for the sum of $9000, to be paid in three instalments, the first of $4000 to be paid before he commences the work, the second of $3000 to be paid eighteen months after the first payment, and the third of $2000 to be paid when the work is finish ed. I will give William Strickland and John Struthers as security for the performance of the contract.
NICHOLAS GEVELOT.
June 11th, 1833.
Building Committee for the Girard College for Orphans, June 11, 1833.
On motion, Resolved, The proposal of Mr. N. Geve- lot in relation to executing a statue of the late Stephen Girard for $9000 be accepted, to be approved, of by the Building Committee.
On motion, Resolved, The first payment be $2000, to be paid on the execution of the contract; $100C to be paid on the commencement of the work in Philadel- phia; $1000 to be paid every six months, as the work progresses, for 18 months thereafter; and $3000 on the completion of the work. The securities offered by Mr. Gevelot, were, on motion, approved of.
Resolved, The subject of the statue be referred to the sub committee to complete the contract, and report to Councils on Thursday next.
From the minutes.
JOHN GILDER, Chairman. Attest-Jo'n P. Binns, Secretary.
Resolved, That the proposal of Mr. N. Gevelot in' relation to making a statuc of the late Stephen Girard for $9000, be accepted. The statue to be approved of by the building committee of the Girard College.
Resolved, 'That a contract be mide with Mr. Gevelot and his sureties, and that $2000 be paid on signing the contract; $1000 on the commencement of the work in Philadelphia; $1000 at the expiration of every six months during the progress of the work, for eighteen months, and $3000 on the completion of the work.
28
PROCEEDINGS OF COUNCILS.
[JULY
Resolved, That the securities offered by Mr. Gevelot are approved of.
Resolved, That the building committee of the Girard College be and they are hereby authorised to carry these resolutions into effect.
Resolved, That the Mayor is hereby authorised to draw his warrant on the City Treasury for the several instalments payable to N. Gevelot, as above.
The Common Council did not act on it.
Mr. Haines, as Chairman of the Committee to whom was referred the memorial of Mr. Frederick Graff, made the annexed report and resolution, which were laid on the table.
To the Select and Common Councils.
The Committee to whom was referred the memorial of Frederick Graff, asking a fair and just compensation for extraordinary services as engineer, superintendent, accountant, and draftsman of the City Water Works, for the years 1819, 1820, 1821, and 1822. And also the resolution directing them to inquire into the expediancy of appointing an assistant superintendent-report, that they have had a conference with Frederick Graff on the subject referred to them, and after a careful ex- amination of the statement submitted by him to Councils, in the said memorial, (to which they refer for all the facts in the case, ) they are unanimously of the opinion that Frederich Graff has rendered the services there de- tailed, and for which he is justly entitled to compensa- tion; the amount that they believe to be right and just, they submit in the resolution hereto annexed. After a full inquiry the committee believe it inexpedient at this time, to appoint an assistant superintendent, as there are no extraordinary services to perform during the present year: they respectfully recommend the adop- tion of the following resolution-all of which is submit- ed.
Resolved, by the Select and Common Councils, That the Mayor be and he is hereby directed to draw his war- rant on the City Treasurer in favor of Frederick Graff, for four thousand dollars, and charge the same to ap- propriation No. 16.
Mr. Gilder as Chairman of the Paving Committee re- ported an ordinance, which was passed.
Mr. MORRIS as chairman of the committee, made the following report, which was adopted.
The committee on the navigation of the river Schuyl- k'll, to whom was referred the letter of Thomas Mitch - ell, relalive to a lot of ground on the south side of Lom- bard street, and the east side of the river Schuylkill, Report:
That in their opinion it is inexpedient for Councils to purchase the same.
Mr. GILDER as chairman of the Paving Committee reported the annexed ordinance which was laid on the table.
An ordinance to alter and establish the regulation of Delaware Sixth street, from Vine to Sassafras street, and for extending the sewer thereon.
Sect. 1. Be it ordained and enacted by the citizens of Philadelphia, in Select and Common Councils assem- bled, That the regulation of Delaware Sixth street from Vine to Sassafras street, shall be and the same is hereby fixed and established according to a plan of the same made and presented to Councils by Samuel Hains the city surveyor, dated the 12th day of June 1833, any existing regulation or Ordinance to the contrary not- withstanding.
Sect. 2. Be it further ordained and enacted by the authority aforesaid, That the City Commissioners be, and they are hereby authorized and required, (under the direction of the Paving Committee, ) to cause a sewer to be constructed, not exceeding four feet diame- ter in the clear, commencing at the south end of the present sewer in the said Delaware Sixth street, between Vine and Sassafras streets, and extending southward to a point not exceeding feet south with suitable
openings into the same, and charge the expense thereof to Appropriation No. 4.
Mr. Lapsley, as chairman of the committee on Mar- kets, made the following report which was adopted.
The committee who were requested by a resolution of Councils, to inquire into the expediency of purchas- ing a lot suitable for a Western Market, report:
That they have had the subject under consideration, and are unanimously of the opinion, that it would be not only inexpedient but quite unnecessary to incur an expense of at least thirty thousand dollars for any lot of ground when that amount might be saved by the erec- tion of Market houses in the centre of Market street.
As appears from the number and respectability of the names to the petitions lately presented, your committee are of the opinion that the building of them in Market street would give most general satisfaction and would respectfully suggest to Councils the propriety of locat- ing them in such part of that street west of 11th street, as would be most for the convenience of the inhabitants in the western part of the city; in such a situation as would produce a greater revenue in proportion to the cost, and might be removed at any future day without any serious loss or disadvantage. All which is sub- mitted.
Mr. Gilder, as Chairman of the Paving Committee, made the following report and resolution, which were adopted, and were referred to the Paving Committee:
Philadelphia, June 8, 1833.
Gentlemen,-The accompanying plan will show to you the wharf which I propose to build for the city. My proposition is to build the wharf to the satisfaction of the city, and complete the same on or before the 1st day of September next, and as much earlier as possible -for doing which I ask the privilege of occupying the same for two years from the time the wharf is complet- ed, and Water street and South street and Bank street are paved.
At the expiration of two years, to give it up to the city free from all incumbrance, and in good order. THOMAS HAVEN.
The Paving Committee, to which was referred the proposition of Thomas Haven, report:
That Mr. Haven proposes to build a wharf under the supervision of the city authorities, at the foot of Schuyl- kill South street, by the 1st day of September next, the city allowing him the occupation of the same, rent free, for the space of two years, and at the expiration of that time to deliver up the same to the city, free from all in- cumbrances and in good order. The committee recom- mend to Councils the acceptance of the proposal, and offer the following resolutions, viz.
Resolved, That Mr. Thomas Haven be authorized to build a wharf at the foot of Schuylkill South street, ac- cording to the accompanying plan, he to have the use and occupation of the same, when finished, free of charge, for the space of two years, and at the expiration of which time, the said wharf shall be delivered up to the city authorities, free from all incumbrances, and in good order.
Resolved, That the City Commissioners he and are hereby authorized to pave Water street, between South and Lombard, and South street from Bank street to the wharf, on the river Schuylkill.
JOHN GILDER, Chairman.
Mr. Huston, as Chairman of the Committee, made the annexed report, which was adopted.
The committee appointed at the last meeting of Coun- cils to make suitable arrangements for the reception of the President of the United States, report:
That they caused the Hall of Independence to be fit- ted up in a style suitable for the occasion: that the Pre- sident arrived in the city on the afternoon of the 8th instant, and was immediately waited on by the commit- tee, who informed him of the order taken by Councils,
1833.]
and tendered to him in their name the Hall of Indepen- dence, in which to receive his fellow citizens during his continuance in the city. This offer was accepted by the President, with the expression of his grateful ac- knowledgments for the kind attention evinced on the occasion; and he appointed the following Monday, (the 10th instant, ) at 10 A. M. to meet the city authorities in the Hall of Independence. The committee of arrange- ment therefore issued notices to the Mayor, Recorder, Members of Councils, Aldermen, &c. &c., who accord- ingly met at 9 A. M .; and between 9 and 10 o'clock, the committee, agreeably to the appointment of the President, waited upon him at his lodgings and escorted him to the Hall, where he was received by his Honor the Mayor, in a manner becoming his high station, and in- troduced to all the officers of the city in attendance,and of the Girard Trust under the care of the city, and af- terwards to his fellow citizens generally.
Mr. Yarnall as Chairman of the Committee made the following report and resolution, which were adopted.
To the Select and Common Councils.
The Committee appointed to purchase wood for the necessitous poor, report:
That the annual product of the "Fund for supplying the necessitous poor with fuel," amounts to about 450 dollars, but that in consequence of over drafts which have heretofore been made upon it, the sum left to be expended this year will amount to 200 dollars only.
The proceeds of the Girard Fund will on the 1st of December next, amount to $454 44, making an aggregate sum of $654 44 to be applied to the purchase of fuel. The Committee have accordingly purchased 125 cords of wood at an expense as follows:
59} cords green oak wood at 3 75 per cord $223 12
65₺ cords do. at 4 00 do. 262 00
7 50
Carting at 75 cents per cord,
93 75
Piling at 15 cents per cord,
18 60
$605 12
It is all piled on the lot in front of the western Watch House, at the corner of Filbert and Broad streets-85 cords intended to be paid out of the proceeds of the Gi- rard Fund are placed on the eastern side of the lot, and the remaining 40 cords to be paid for out of the "Fund for supplying the necessitous poor with Fuel" are plac- ed in a separate pile on the westerns side.
The committee having thus accomplished the object of their appointment' submit the accompanying resolu- tion and request to be discharged.
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