On this evening, too, a most remarkable event occurred. During the day the City Solicitor of Philadelphia, who is also a military commander of renown, in addressing a meeting of some of his contemporary warriors, including Bismarck, Von Moltke, MacMahon, and others, remarked that he would meet them upon the morrow at Memorial Hall, during the opening ceremonies. Immediately a special meeting of city councils was convened, and the following preamble and resolutions presented and unanimously adopted.
“Whereas, An International Exposition was held at Vienna, in the year 1873; and WHEREAS, upon the day the City Solicitor of Philadelphia carried into effect his predeclared intention of visiting said Exposition the roof of the buildings fell in, doing great damage and causing great excitement; and WHEREAS, the same City Solicitor has announced his purpose of visiting our Centennial buildings to-morrow; and WHEREAS, it is our bounden duty to provide against the occurrence of any like disaster to our International Exposition, and especially from the same cause which affected the Vienna affair, be it hereby
“Resolved, That the interests of the Exhibition demand the incarceration of the individual above alluded to.
“Resolved, That he be immediately placed in irons and confined in the vaults of the Knickerbocker Ice CompanyON ICE. until the close of the Exposition.
“Resolved, That every attention be paid to him in his confinement, and that the Knickerbocker Ice Company be allowed $93.77 per diem for his support and the ice required to keep him cool.
“Resolved, That he be produced for one hour each Wednesday morning at the Supreme Court Rooms, to deliver opinions on municipal affairs, that the city may suffer no more than necessary from this unavoidable action.
“Resolved, That he be supplied with the ‘Times’ newspaper daily, and be allowed unlimited rations of lemons, sugar, and whatever liquid he may desire, to mix with his ice.”
At four o’clock in the morning, the subject of these resolutions was awakened from his innocent slumbers and hurried into a Knickerbocker ice wagon by detectives, with black masks over their faces. He struggled bravely, but—pro bono publico—principiis obsta.
