Philadelphia City Council and the Battle for City Hall (1860–1872)
Between 1860 and 1872, the political landscape of Philadelphia was shaped by a series of legislative reforms and a high-stakes struggle over urban development. Central to this era was the rise of a political figure who navigated the complexities of the city's bicameral legislature to implement civic improvements and influence the location of one of the city's most iconic landmarks.
The Rise Through the City Council
In 1860, the subject of this account won a seat on the Common Council, which served as the lower chamber of the Philadelphia City Council, representing the Ninth Ward. By 1865, he had ascended to the position of president of the Common Council. During this period, he remained a secondary figure within the city's Republican Party, which was then dominated by William B. Mann, the district attorney of Philadelphia.
His political influence grew in 1867 when he secured a seat on the Select Council, the upper chamber of the city council, eventually becoming its president in 1868. During his tenure, he championed several significant civic reforms:
- The abolition of volunteer fire companies in favor of a professional city fire department.
- The passage of an ordinance that transferred control of the Philadelphia Gas Works from a local "gas trust" to a city department.
The Conflict Over Philadelphia City Hall
As president of the Select Council, he became deeply involved in the planning and construction of a new city hall. This project sparked a fierce dispute over the building's location. The two primary contenders were Penn Square, located within his own ward, and Washington Square, which was situated near Independence Hall and closer to the city's commercial center.
The stakes were high, not only for civic pride but for financial gain, as local businessmen sought to benefit from the significant government expenditures required for construction. Holding an ex officio seat on the Public Buildings Commission—the body overseeing the project—he worked to ensure Penn Square was selected. To strengthen his position, he recruited the assistance of Alexander Wilson Henszey, an ally in the Pennsylvania State Senate.
Legislative Maneuvering and the Public Vote
The battle for the site moved from the council chambers to the state legislature. In early 1869, Common Councilman John Rice attempted to pass a resolution for a public vote on the location. While the Select Council initially blocked this and requested that the state legislature not intervene, Henszey successfully guided two bills through the State Senate in March 1869. One bill mandated a public vote in the next regular election, while the other sought to ban public buildings from Independence Square.
Governor John Geary signed the voting bill into law but vetoed the prohibition on Independence Square, calling it an unnecessary restriction. In response, Henszey pivoted, guiding a new bill to designate Independence Square as "a public green forever," effectively blocking construction. This bill was further amended to protect certain buildings at Penn Square and ensure that other institutions—including the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, the Franklin Institute, the Library Company of Philadelphia, and the Academy of Natural Sciences—would be located at Penn Square if voters rejected it for the city hall.
Crucially, the legislation restructured the Public Buildings Commission by removing seats held by contractors and making the commission's votes binding. This stripped the City Council of its supervisory power and gave him, as an ex officio member, political control over the smaller commission.
The Referendum Result
In October 1869, Philadelphia voters decided the matter via referendum. Penn Square won the victory by a margin of 18,000 votes, a result consistent with the typical margins of victory for Republican nominees in local elections.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]Political Transition and Mayoral Ambitions
By early 1871, he was viewed as the likely Republican nominee for mayor, with a nominating convention scheduled for June. To secure his candidacy, he strategically aligned himself with the business community, voicing objections to several controversial decisions made by the Committee on Public Buildings. By distancing himself from these controversies, he improved his prospects for the general election.
Key Facts
- Bicameral System: Philadelphia's government consisted of the Common Council (lower) and the Select Council (upper).
- Civic Reforms: Key achievements included professionalizing the fire department and municipalizing the Philadelphia Gas Works.
- Site Victory: Penn Square defeated Washington Square in a public referendum by 18,000 votes.
- Legislative Strategy: The use of state-level bills to designate Independence Square as a "public green forever" prevented construction there.
- Commission Shift: The Public Buildings Commission was restructured to remove contractors and make its decisions binding.
| Feature | Penn Square | Washington Square |
|---|---|---|
| Location Advantage | Located in the Select Council President's ward | Closer to the commercial center and Independence Hall |
| Political Support | Backed by Select Council President and Alexander Wilson Henszey | Favored by those prioritizing commercial proximity |
| Outcome | Selected via public referendum | Rejected; area protected as a public green |
| Vote Margin | Won by 18,000 votes | N/A |
Frequently Asked Questions
What were the two chambers of the Philadelphia City Council?
The city council was divided into the Common Council, which served as the lower chamber, and the Select Council, which served as the upper chamber.
How was the professional fire department established?
It was established through reforms passed by the Select Council, which abolished the previous system of volunteer fire companies.
Why was Independence Square protected from construction?
After a veto by Governor John Geary, a bill was passed to designate Independence Square as "a public green forever," which legally prevented the construction of the new city hall on that site.
Who was Alexander Wilson Henszey?
Henszey was an ally in the Pennsylvania State Senate who helped guide the legislation necessary to secure Penn Square as the site for the new city hall.
How did the Public Buildings Commission change in 1869?
The commission was restructured to remove seats held by contractors and its votes were made binding, which removed the City Council's power to supervise the construction process.