the fall of 1878, he worked incessantly. Under his hands the Bureau of
the Mints and the entire Coinage and Assay service were shaped in their
present form. Much is due to his official subordinates, but his was the
master mind, his the skillful and methodical direction, the studious and
laborious devotion to the duties and obligations of his high position
at the head of the Coinage Department of this great nation, which have
given the United States the best coinage system in the world. It was
Dr. Linderman who projected the “trade dollar,” solely for commerce,
and not intended to enter into circulation here. It was a successful
means of finding a market for our great surplus of silver, which Dr.
Linderman sought to send to Oriental countries rather than flood our own
and depreciate its fickle value. The old silver dollar by the Coinage
Act of 1873 was abolished. The codification of all the legislation of
Congress since the foundation of the Mint in 1792 was thus accomplished.
Other needed legislative enactments were passed by Congress on his
recommendations.
In 1877 Dr. Linderman wrote, and Putnam published, “Money and Legal
Tender in the United States,” a valuable and interesting contribution
to the science of finance, which was favorably received abroad as well
as here. The same year his official report presented one of the most
exhaustive, profound, and able efforts which has ever emanated from the
Government press. The fact that several of his reports were in use as
text books of technical information in some of the technical schools
(notably that at Harvard University), will serve to show the estimation
in which the late Dr. Linderman was held as an authority upon coinage,
mining, and finance. When the Japanese established their mint, that
government made him the liberal offer of $50,000 to stay in their country
one year and organize their mint service.
When M. Henri Cernuschi, the eminent financier and the Director of the
French Mint, was in this country in 1878, he said, “Dr. Linderman’s
name is as celebrated on the continent of Europe in connection with
his opinions on the double standard of metallic currency, as that of
Garibaldi in connection with the Italian revolution.”
In 1877 Dr. Linderman was appointed a commissioner, with power to name
two others, to investigate abuses in the San Francisco Mint and Custom
House. He appointed ex-Governor Low, of California, and Mr. Henry Dodge,
and this commission sat as a court of inquiry in San Francisco in 1877.
He returned to Washington in the autumn of that year. His report of the
commission was duly approved, and all the changes it advised were made by
the Government authorities.
In 1853 Dr. Linderman married Miss Emily Davis, a highly accomplished
and talented lady, daughter of George H. Davis, one of the pioneer
coal operators of the Wyoming and Carbon districts. Dr. Linderman died
at his residence in Washington in January, 1879, after a long illness
superinduced by his self-sacrificing care and solicitude for public
interests. His conscientious and valuable aid and advice in counsel,
his conception of public duty, which so entirely guided his conduct
in all his official relations connected with our present monetary
system, established through his efforts, justly entitle him to be held
in grateful remembrance for the benefits he conferred upon his fellow
countrymen.[20]
COL. A. LOUDON SNOWDEN, SECOND SUPERINTENDENT,
was born in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, and descends from one of the
old families of Pennsylvania.
He was educated at the Jefferson College in Washington, Pennsylvania. On
the completion of his collegiate course he studied law, but on May 7,
1857, just before being admitted to the bar, accepted the position of
Register, tendered him by his uncle, the late Hon. James Ross Snowden,
then Director of the United States Mint.
In 1866, a vacancy having occurred in the office of Coiner of the Mint,
he was appointed by the President, and entered upon the duties of this
office October 1, 1866.
At the request of President Grant, in 1876, he was induced to accept the
Postmastership of Philadelphia.
He assumed the duties of that office January 1, 1877, with much
reluctance, but soon manifested as Postmaster the same capacity for
thorough discipline and organization which had distinguished him in the
Mint. President Hayes, in December, 1878, tendered him the position
of Director of all the Mints of the United States, made vacant by the
expiration of the commission of Dr. Linderman. After the death of Dr.
Linderman the President again sent for him and urged his acceptance
of the place, which he was believed to have declined previous to Dr.
Linderman’s death from motives of delicacy, having long been the friend
of the late Director.
This offer he again declined, as the acceptance of it would necessitate
his removal from Philadelphia to Washington.
In the following February the President again made a tender of office.
This time it was the superintendency of the Philadelphia Mint, and,
as its acceptance of it restored him to a service agreeable to him in
every particular, and permitted him to remain among his friends in
Philadelphia, he promptly accepted, and assumed control of the Mint on
the 1st of March, 1879, and continued in charge of the “Parent Mint” of
the United States until June, 1885, when he resigned his commission.
In January, 1873, he was elected vice-president of the Fire Association,
one of the oldest and largest fire insurance companies of the United
States. In 1868 he was elected its president. In October, 1880, he was
elected president of the “United Fire Underwriters of America,” an
organization embracing the officers of more than one hundred and fifty of
the leading American and foreign companies doing business in the United
States, representing a capital of over $118,000,000.
DANIEL M. FOX.
Hon. Daniel M. Fox, the new Superintendent of the United States Mint, was
born in this city on the 16th of June, 1819. His ancestors, both on his
father’s and mother’s side, are not without fame, many of them having
figured more or less conspicuously in the early history of the country.
Daniel Miller, his maternal grandfather, took quite a prominent part in
the Revolutionary war, being present with Washington at Germantown, Pa.,
New Brunswick, N. J., the Highlands, N. Y., Valley Forge, Pa., the siege
of Yorktown, and witnessed the surrender of Lord Cornwallis at Yorktown.
During the campaign in New Jersey he was taken by the British as a spy
and brought to Philadelphia, but effected his escape and rejoined the
army. At the termination of the war he finally settled with his family in
the old Northern Liberties, where Mr. Fox’s grandfather, by the father’s
side, John Fox, resided. Here Daniel’s father and mother were born, and
here he himself first saw the light, and was reared and educated.
His parents were possessed of very little of this world’s goods, but
that did not prevent them from giving their son a liberal education,
which he was not backward in taking advantage of. After leaving school
the first two years were employed as clerk in a store, after which he
turned his attention to conveyancing, as he intended to make that his
permanent profession. He devoted the next five years to the close study
of all its intricate details in the office of the late Jacob F. Hoeckley,
who at that period stood at the head of the profession in this city, and
graduating with eminent credit he commenced practice for himself.
[Illustration: _Daniel M. Fox_]
The profession is one affording many temptations to men who are not well
grounded in strict integrity, and sustained in the paths of rectitude
and virtue by a conscientious regard for the _meum_ and _tuum_ of a
well-ordered business life; but Mr. Fox, looking upon his profession as
one of dignity and trust, soon commanded and permanently secured the
confidence of the public, by avoiding those speculative ventures which
have brought so much disrepute upon it, and by a scrupulous regard for
the interests of those who placed their property in his keeping. In
consequence, the business entrusted to him has increased to such an
extent from year to year that it is said he has more estates in his
charge for settlement, as administrator, executor, or trustee, than
any other single individual in Philadelphia. His practice constantly
increasing as time rolled on, the laws touching real estate operations
becoming more complicated year by year, and appreciating the necessity
in many cases for court proceedings to secure perfection of title,
he submitted himself to a legal examination, and was admitted to the
Philadelphia bar in November, 1878.
HIS PUBLIC CAREER.
His first step in public life was at the age of twenty-one, when he was
elected a member of the Board of School Directors of the district in
which he then lived, and for many years prior to 1854, when the city was
consolidated, and the law in that regard changed, he was President of
the Board. For many years he had taken an active interest in the public
schools, and was a pioneer in the night-school system for adults. He
was chosen two consecutive terms by the City Councils as a Director of
Girard College, and also represented the Northern Liberties in the Board
of Health, having charge of the sanitary matters and the quarantine
regulations of the city, and was quite active and efficient in the
abatement of the cholera, which was epidemic here twice during the nine
years he served in that Board.
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.