Part 12

For three years he represented his ward in the Select Council of Philadelphia with credit and ability. In 1861 he retired from Councils, and in the year following was unanimously nominated for the Mayoralty by the Democratic party. The city at that time was strongly Republican, and he was defeated by Hon. Alexander Henry, although he ran largely ahead of his ticket. In 1865 he again received a unanimous nomination for the same office, and ran against Hon. Morton McMichael and with the same result. His personal popularity, however, was in the ascendant, and when he was placed in nomination in 1868 against General Hector Tyndale, he was duly elected.

On January 1, 1869, he was inaugurated, and his first official duty as Mayor was to formally receive on behalf of the city authorities General Grant as President-elect. The reception took place in Independence Hall, in the presence of Councils and a large number of prominent citizens, and was conducted on the part of the new Mayor with ease, grace, and elegance. His municipal administration was marked by many reformatory and sanitary measures, especially in those portions of the city where the impurity of the denizens hazarded the health of more respectable neighborhoods. It was during his official term that the Volunteer Fire Department ceased to exist. It had been his practice during its closing days to attend all conflagrations for the double purpose of holding a moral check on the lawless and to stimulate the police in their duties of keeping the streets clear for the free exercise of those whose business it was to extinguish the flames. The passage by Councils of the ordinance establishing a Paid Fire Department created a profound sensation in the city, arousing the bitter feelings of many of the volunteer firemen, and kindling an intense anxiety on the part of the people generally as to the fate of the bill when it reached the hands of the Mayor. He retained it for a fortnight, unsigned, evidently desiring to soften the feeling engendered by its passage, and also to perfect such arrangements as would be necessary to meet any emergency in carrying the act into effect. The latter being accomplished, he formally approved the ordinance and it became a law. This course was very unpalatable to the riotous element of the volunteers, who manifested their feelings in various ways, such as suspending the effigy of the Mayor in several engine houses, but no other violent demonstrations of any moment occurred, as the steps taken by his officers proved effective and rigorous; these, coupled with the co-operation of many of the discreet firemen, enabled the new “Paid Department” to go into operation without any disturbance whatever, and the city has ever since rejoiced in an efficient system without any of the former accompaniments of noise, riot, and public disturbance.

A startling attempt at assassination occurred during Mayor Fox’s incumbency, in the shooting of United States Revenue Detective James Brooks, in open day, in a Front street store, by some miscreants. The case was at once taken in hand by the Mayor, who by stimulating the police and offering heavy rewards caused the arrest of the parties. Their conviction soon followed. Whenever any question of grave public importance presented itself, it was his practice to invite conferences with the most prominent citizens at his office, as to the best course to be pursued; thus, while showing a true devotion to the public interests, he was enabled to act with great sagacity; he also brought to his support the power of eloquence, which he possesses in an eminent degree; this added much to his popularity. He did not hesitate to use the veto whenever he differed with Councils, and during his term he transmitted to these bodies thirty-two messages of this character, the majority of which were sustained. His official term ended in a most gratifying manner, both chambers of Councils unanimously passing resolutions of thanks for his able and energetic administration of the city’s affairs. This was followed by a grand banquet at the Academy of Music, tendered to him by our most distinguished citizens, irrespective of party. In two successive State conventions he received complimentary votes for the Gubernatorial nominations.

The great International Exposition in commemoration of the centennial anniversary of the birth of our nation was held in this city in 1876. In the preparation for this grand demonstration, in its opening and down to its close, in the autumn of that year, Mr. Fox took a leading part, the incipient step having been taken in the Mayor’s Office during his administration, in a consultation with a committee from the Franklin Institute, who waited upon him for that purpose. As an active and earnest member of the Centennial Board of Finance, which had charge of all the funds for the Exposition, Mr. Fox contributed his time, his means, and his voice greatly to its promotion and final success.

Once more Mr. Fox was called to the discharge of an important public duty. For a number of years a controversy had existed between the general Government and the railroad corporations with reference to the transportation of the United States mails, the former complaining that the service was not satisfactorily rendered, and the latter that they were not adequately compensated.

On the 12th of July, 1876, Congress passed a bill authorizing the President to appoint a Commission of three civilians to investigate the subject and make report upon it. Mr. Fox was one of the appointees, his colleagues being selected from other States. The Commission, in the exercise of its functions, visited every section of the country, embracing a distance of travel of over twenty-eight thousand miles. Sessions were held in all the principal cities, much testimony taken, and when its labors were completed a report of great value was prepared and presented, which went far towards a satisfactory settlement of the controversy.

[From The History of the Philadelphia Police.]

One of the most important occurrences during Mr. Fox’s term as Mayor was the abolition of the old Volunteer Fire Department. The ordinance for the erection of a Paid Fire department was passed December 29, 1870, after a series of hot debates. The old volunteers were a power in politics, but their acts of violence and incendiarism made it imperative in the opinion of a majority of citizens that they should be superseded. The passage of the ordinance caused a sensation because it was not believed that Councils would dare to abolish the volunteers. Feeling ran high. The firemen held meeting after meeting in their engine-houses. All attention was directed towards the Mayor. Would he sign the ordinance and make it a law? He had ten days in which to consider the bill. He was known to favor it; but day after day passed and he took no action. Meanwhile he was not asleep. He had perfected police arrangements whereby the whole force could be called out at once on the outbreak of any violence, and the excitement was so great that the rowdy element and the firemen were expected to sally forth at any moment. There were two or three isolated outrages, but no general riot. The ten days drew towards a close and the excitement became less intense every day. It was with this object in view that the Mayor delayed signing the ordinance. He waited until the last day before putting his signature to the bill. The volunteers had become in a degree reconciled to the measure, and some of them hoped to resume work with engine and hook-and-ladder under the new system.

The old volunteer firemen now hold Mr. Fox in high esteem. At the great fire in Newhall, Borie & Co.’s sugar refinery, which stood at the corner of Race and Crown streets, the lives of a number of the volunteers were endangered through their own stubbornness, and only saved through determined action on the part of the Mayor. The engine-house of the refinery was a single story building facing on Crown street; over it was a projection five or six stories in height containing the hoisting apparatus and other machinery of great weight.

HIS WATCHFUL CARE SAVES MANY LIVES.

About a score of the firemen took up a position on the roof of the engine-house and directed a stream of water against the main building. Unknown to them the flames were rapidly eating their way to the machinery in the projection over them. The Mayor made it a point to attend all important fires, and frequently his vigilance at great conflagrations resulted in the detection of gangs of thieves who operated in the uniform of firemen. On this occasion he observed the danger which threatened the men. It was evident to him that the machinery would soon be reached, and the projection fall. A serious disaster would be the consequence unless the men removed. The Mayor sent the Chief of Police to inform them of their danger, and endeavored to induce them to retire from their perilous position. They angrily declared they would occupy whatever place they pleased, and said the Mayor should mind his own business as he had no authority over them. The Mayor saw that prompt and decisive action was necessary if the lives of the men were not to be sacrificed. He ordered Chief Mulholland to drive the headstrong fellows from the roof by force. All the policemen in the neighborhood of the fire were collected and they charged the volunteers, who were routed with some difficulty and came clamoring around the Mayor, demanding to know by what authority he had interfered with them, execrating and threatening him with personal violence.

“Wait five minutes and I will give you an answer,” said Mr. Fox, quietly.

A moment later the projection with all the heavy machinery fell, crushing the engine-house. The men who a moment before had reviled the Mayor were silent for a moment, then they gathered around him and gave three prolonged and hearty cheers for Daniel M. Fox.

Mr. Fox was the first Mayor who directed the roping off the streets during large conflagrations, thereby keeping away not only the crowds who drawn by idle curiosity went simply to look on but also those persons who may have been attracted for purposes of theft. It aided considerably, too, in giving the Fire Department a clean working space, thus adding to their efficiency, and also avoiding the chance of accidents from falling embers or walls. This plan so wisely begun has been followed with advantage by every successive Mayor.

Mr. Fox’s participation in the philanthropic and benevolent movements of the city has always been unlimited. As President of the Pennsylvania Society for the Protection of Children from Cruelty, Trustee of the Pennsylvania Institution for the Deaf and Dumb, and in his connection with many other charitable works, his constant aim has been the alleviation of the sufferings and the general welfare of his fellow men.

Personally, Mr. Fox is of dignified and distinguished presence, yet in manner affable, courteous, and kind. Always interested in his fellow men, he draws men towards him and impresses them with the sincerity of his nature and the unselfishness of his purpose. Love of justice is one of the strong characteristics of the man, and his life has been singularly free from the petty strifes which disfigure the lives of so many who have had to fight their battle against odds. His selection for the Superintendency of the Mint, being unsought, was a just tribute to his unquestioned integrity and his eminent abilities as a public man. The country is fortunate in his preferment, and his administration of the affairs of the Mint will fitly crown an honored career.

Superintendent Fox has greatly improved the immediate surroundings of the Mint since his entrance upon duty. The areas have been cleared of rubbish, temporary wooden structures demolished, where it is possible to dispense with them, and a systematic policing of the premises has been adopted. But perhaps the most notable of the improvements which Superintendent Fox has made is the removal of the old steam plant from the body of the basement and the creation of a new and much more efficient plant in vaults prepared outside of the walls. This has had the effect to render the atmosphere of the building cool and pure, and at the same time has actually increased the working space nearly forty per cent. Another story has also been added to the adjusting room, with appliances for cooking and toilet, thus increasing the comfort of the ladies employed in that department. The plots on either hand of the entrance on Chestnut street show some happy efforts to please the eye, in a renewal of the sward and landscape gardening in colors. The fine specimens of American cypress in the centre of these plots seem to have borrowed fresh attractions from their new and beautiful setting, and their foliage contrasts pleasingly with the clumps of foliage plants and exotics beneath. Throughout the premises the supervision of a thorough business man is apparent; nothing seems to escape the eyes of the vigilant Superintendent.

COINERS.

HENRY VOIGT, the first Chief Coiner, was appointed by President Washington, January 29, 1793. He was selected on account of his mechanical knowledge and skill, being a clockmaker by trade. Many of our old families bear witness to the skill of Mr. Voigt in the affection they have for many an “old clock on the stairs,” for the manufacture of which timekeepers he was quite famous. Mr. Voigt held office until removed by death in February, 1814.

ADAM ECKFELDT was born in Philadelphia, June 15, 1769. He was trained to mechanical pursuits by his father, who was a large manufacturer of edge-tools and implements. On the establishment of the Mint he was engaged to construct some of the machinery for it. He built the first screw-coining presses. The contrivance for ejecting the piece from the collar, together with some other mechanical appliances, were his invention.

In an old pay-roll of 1795 (see page 12), we find the name of “Adam Eckfeldt, Die Forger and Turner.” His official connection dates from January 1, 1796, when he was appointed Assistant Coiner by Director Boudinot, with the consent of President Washington. Upon the death of Henry Voigt, Mr. Eckfeldt was appointed to succeed him as Chief Coiner, and remained in that position until he resigned, in 1839. He continued to visit the Mint for some years after; and he is yet remembered as a hard worker in the Mint, without compensation. For half a century he was one of the central figures of the Mint service. His mechanical skill, his zeal, energy, and uprightness, brought him many distinctions, both as an officer and a citizen.

In his letter of resignation he warmly recommends the appointment of Franklin Peale, in the following terms: “I feel it my duty, in leaving office, to recommend that my place be filled by Mr. Franklin Peale, the present Melter and Refiner. Our close association as fellow-officers has made me acquainted with his peculiar qualifications, and I therefore know him to be fitted for the situation; and I do not know any other person that is.” He had a high ideal of what a chief coiner should be.

Mr. Eckfeldt died February 6, 1852, in his 83d year.

FRANKLIN PEALE was the son of Charles Willson Peale, the eminent artist and founder of Peale’s Museum. Born in the Hall of the American Philosophical Society, October 15, 1795, he was presented to the society by his father, when four months old, as “the first child born in the Philosophical Hall,” and with a request that the society should name him. He was accordingly named after the chief founder and first President of the Society—Franklin.

Young Peale early showed a taste for mechanics, and his father gave him every facility to improve himself in any direction in which nature seemed to lead him. Part of his general education was received at the University of Pennsylvania and part at the Germantown Academy. At the age of seventeen he entered the machine shop of Hodgson & Bro., Delaware. He soon grew to be a skilled mechanic and draughtsman. Some time after he became manager of his father’s Museum. He assisted Baldwin in the construction of the first locomotive built in this country. In 1833 Mr. Peale entered the Mint service, and was sent to Europe by Director Moore to examine into foreign Mint methods. He brought with him valuable apparatus for the Assay Department, together with other important improvements and suggestions. He was appointed Melter and Refiner in 1836 and Chief Coiner in 1839. He introduced the first steam coining press, the milling machine and some other of our more modern forms of Mint machinery.

Mr. Peale’s administration as Chief Coiner may be said to mark an era in the mechanic arts of Minting. Being specially fitted, by natural genius as well as education, for the position which he adorned, his mildness, integrity, gentlemanly bearing and high moral and mental culture constituted him a model officer. His connection with the service lasted until 1854. He died on the 5th of May, 1870.

GEORGE K. CHILDS, appointed December 12, 1854.

LEWIS R. BROOMALL, appointed June 30, 1861.

JOHN G. BUTLER, appointed November 30, 1863.

A. LOUDON SNOWDEN, appointed October 1, 1866.

(For sketch of A. Loudon Snowden, see list of Directors and Superintendents, page 92.)

COLONEL O. C. BOSBYSHELL. On the 4th of May, 1869, Ex-Governor Pollock, then Director of the Mint, appointed Col. Bosbyshell Register of Deposits. His course in the Mint was so satisfactory that, without solicitation, he was made assistant coiner by Col. A. L. Snowden, the then coiner, on the 1st of October, 1872. Upon Col. Snowden’s appointment as Postmaster of Philadelphia, Col. Bosbyshell was appointed Coiner of the Mint by President Grant, on the 15th of December, 1876, and remained in that capacity until January, 1885, when, to the regret of all parties having business relations with him, he tendered his resignation to accept a responsible position in the Controller’s Office, tendered him by his friend, Col. Robert P. Dechert.

WILLIAM S. STEEL was born in the City of Philadelphia, on the 1st of March, 1841. He received a good common school education, and in 1856 entered the office of David Cooper & Co., at Girard’s wharves, remaining engaged in mercantile pursuits till 1861. At 19 years of age he was appointed by Colonel James Ross Snowden, then Director of the United States Mint, First Assistant Weigh Clerk. In this position he served continuously through Colonel J. Ross Snowden, ex-Governor Pollock, and Colonel A. Loudon Snowden’s administrations. In September, 1862, just before the battle of Antietam, Mr. Steele entered the State service, and served with the Thirty-second Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, until discharged by expiration of term. When Colonel A. Loudon Snowden was transferred to the Post Office, January, 1877, Mr. Steele, upon the recommendation of the then Coiner, Colonel O. C. Bosbyshell, became Assistant Coiner, a position he filled in a most acceptable manner, until Colonel Bosbyshell’s retirement in February, 1885, when he was made Coiner.

HARRY A. CHESTER, Assistant Coiner, was born in Philadelphia (Northern Liberties), September 10, 1852, and educated in the North East School, Sixth Section. He was an attachee of the National House of Representatives from 1876 to 1882, clerk in Register of Wills’ Office from January 1, 1883, until May, 1885, when he was appointed by Colonel A. Loudon Snowden as Assistant Weigh Clerk, and promoted by Hon. Daniel M. Fox in October, 1886.

DR. HENRY LEFFMANN was appointed Chief Coiner at the Philadelphia Mint January 10, 1888, by President Cleveland. Dr. Leffmann was born in Philadelphia September 9, 1847, and was educated in the public schools of Philadelphia, including four years at the Central High School. He devoted three years in practical study in the laboratory of Dr. Charles M. Cresson, and graduated at Jefferson Medical College in 1869, having been for some years assistant to the Professor of Chemistry at the College, and in 1875 was elected Lecturer on Toxicology, which position he held for a number of years. In 1876 he was elected to take charge of the laboratory of the Central High School, and remained in that position for four years. In 1883 he was elected Professor of Chemistry and Metallurgy in the Pennsylvania College of Dental Surgery, a position which he still holds; and he has been for a number of years Professor of Chemistry and Mineralogy in the Wagner Free Institute of Science. Dr. Leffmann has been engaged as chemical expert in patent and criminal cases, notably in the Goerson poisoning case and the chrome-yellow poisoning cases. He is a member of several American and foreign scientific societies, has contributed papers to current scientific literature, and has for the past five years been editor of _The Polyclinic_, a monthly medical journal. In 1880 he was a candidate for Coroner on the Democratic ticket, but was defeated, and in 1884 was appointed Port Physician for Philadelphia by Governor Pattison, and held that position until October, 1887.

ASSAYERS.

JACOB R. ECKFELDT, Sixth Assayer, was born in Philadelphia, 1846. He entered the Assay Department as Second Weigher, in 1865. By regular promotions he reached the position of Assistant Assayer, in 1872, and upon the death of his superior he was appointed and confirmed as Assayer, December 21, 1881. The position of Assayer is one of great responsibility, and demands not only scientific training but wide and special knowledge and experience upon subjects relating to the history and arts of Coinage. Since the foundation of the Mint there have been but six official heads of this department.

WILLIAM MCINTIRE was born in Delaware in 1831. He entered the Assay Department of the Mint as an assistant in September, 1853, which position he held, with the exception of a short interim while he was engaged in mercantile business, until October, 1887, when by regular promotion he was appointed Assistant Assayer.

JACOB R. ECKFELDT.

EXTRACT FROM AN OBITUARY NOTICE BY MR. DU BOIS.

(_Read before the American Philosophical Society, Oct. 4th, 1872._)

Jacob R. Eckfeldt, late Assayer of the Mint, was the son of Adam and Margaretta Eckfeldt, and was born in Philadelphia, March —, 1803. He was, therefore, in his seventieth year, at the time of decease, August 9th, 1872.

In the Spring of 1832, Mr. John Richardson, who had been Assayer about one year, and did not find the employment congenial to his tastes, informed Mr. Eckfeldt that he intended to resign, and wished him to prepare to take the place. Mr. E. shrank from this responsibility, and declined. But some of his friends who had influence with President Jackson, presented his name with a strong recommendation and he was appointed without being asked as to his party preferences. This occurred on the 30th of April, 1832. He therefore held the office _over forty years_.

When he entered upon the work, he had to encounter some embarrassments. The apparatus was old-fashioned, and not calculated for nice results. The silver assay had been well performed, without going to a close figure, for many years; but gold was little known in the country or at the Mint, and it is not surprising that its assay was incorrectly performed. Add to this, there was the coarse and cumbrous nomenclature, brought from the old country, of carats and grains for gold fineness, and so many grains to the pound for silver fineness.