Act of Consolidation, 1854

The consolidation was drafted to help combat lawlessness that the many local governments could not handle separately and to bring in much-needed tax revenue for the State.

A person could break the law in Philadelphia City and quickly cross the border and escape punishment.

[1] As a result, the act also achieved one of its intended roles: Expand and strengthen the jurisdiction of the Philadelphia Police Department.

[1] With support from all the city's major newspapers, and the end of the Whig party's existence around that time,[5] the consolidation overcame opposition and the issue was brought to the Pennsylvania General Assembly.

Bigler was awoken out of bed before midnight on February 2 and signed the bill into law.

The signing was rushed because several districts were considering assuming new debts for railroad loans and other projects, with the expectation that the consolidated city would pay instead.

[4] The Act of Consolidation, along with creating Philadelphia's modern border, gave executive power to a mayor who would be elected every two years.

Governor Bigler, members of the legislature, and chief officers of the state visited the city for the celebration.

Events included an excursion on the Delaware River, a ball at the Philadelphia Chinese Museum and a banquet at the Sansom Street Hall the next day.