An era ends in Philly politics

Sam Evans and City Hall were almost the same age. The legendary political and civil-rights leader was born in 1902, one year after City Hall was completed.

Both sat at key intersections. Head to Center City from any direction and the road takes you toward City Hall. Enter the arena of politics and power in Philadelphia during the last seven decades and you would surely cross paths with Evans, who died at age 105 on June 13 and was memorialized yesterday in a six-hour viewing and service at City Hall.

It was the first time such a service has been held in City Hall.

Mayor Nutter spoke of his life being changed in the summer after his sophomore year of high school when he attended a program at the University of Pennsylvania run by the American Foundation for Negro Affairs, founded by Evans in 1968.

After winning the Democratic mayoral primary last year, Nutter was considered a sure thing to win the general election, but still went to see Evans when summoned.

"It was about respect," said Nutter, joking that people were never sure how much power Evans had and didn't really want to find out. "He wanted . . . time to tell me about myself in the way that only Mr. Evans could tell you about yourself."

Evans was laid out in a tuxedo and serenaded throughout the viewing by a violinist and a pianist. After moving to Philadelphia decades ago, a job in a piano store exposed him to classical music. Later in life, he sponsored many chamber music concerts at the Academy of Music.

A parade of Philadelphia's political class praised Evans, with District Attorney Lynne Abraham speaking about how he would start a conversation with "Now get this" and then hold court.

"There was no such thing as going over and having a brief conversation," Abraham said. "You were there not so much to talk but to be talked to."

Evans could show anyone the ropes of the city, no matter how experienced they already were. New Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey spent two hours speaking with Evans after coming to Philadelphia earlier this year.

"If you talk with Mr. Evans, you can't help but get a lot of insight, not only about Philly but about life and a lot of things," Ramsey said. "He was just an interesting person."

While Evans helped many get an education or a start in business or politics, he was also known to "excommunicate" people he felt had gone astray. Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell said Evans earned his nickname.

"I think 'The Godfather' is the proper name for him," Blackwell said. "He considered himself the godfather of the black community, of politics. He believed in holding people accountable."

Councilman Curtis Jones recalled visiting Evans in 1979 with Chaka Fattah to talk about getting into elected office. Evans didn't offer much support.

"I said, 'We'll outlast him even if he is our enemy,' " said Jones, who was excommunicated for a time with Fattah, now a congressman. "I was wrong. I was wrong. I was wrong."

Another viewing will be held at Bright Hope Baptist Church today at 8 a.m. followed by a Celebration of Life service at 10 a.m. *