Delaware tribune. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1867-1877, 1869-02-18
aHALL We NPEND OUR OWN
MONEY!?

The question raised by the proposed Lean
Bill, now pending in the Legislature is not
''Shall the city borrow million of dollars Z"
II is moi even whether the city shall borrow
one cent. But it is, whether, in making
future loans on the credit Of the city, the
measure shall require the approval of the
majority Of the people themselves. Al pres
ent, every increase of the city debt requires
the approval of the Legislature. That being
granted, the debt may be incurred. Yet
nobody "ill deny that many of the members
Of the Legislature must possess very lin
tied knowledge of the necessity existing for
the proposed expenditure They must rely
upon the representations Of gentlemen from
Wilmington, who may come to Dover to
advocate or oppose the bill.
This new proposition is simply this that
the Legislature shall permit the people Of
Wilmington to spend the people of Whining
tons own money when the people Of Will
mington, by II free, fair, vote, shall decide
to do so.
Is this not II most reasonable proposition !.
Can there be single valid objection TO it !?
Is there any one who is afraid to trust the
people with their own funds Can it be
possible that it will be wiser or more pru-
dent to get permission of the Legislature TO
widen King street, than to get that permits
sion from a majority of our own citizens
e For ourselycs,we are very sure that no prop
N osition for any increase Of debt will ever re
O eeive the popular sanction, unless il have .
/. very strong case, indeed. As for danger
(. that money will he foolishly spent, we judge
rs the risk TO be just otherwise improve
% mcnts which should be made will be votet
m down.
in These facts are surely such as no rcasona
m able man will deny. Let us, then, remcm
Of Der that the Legislature meets but once il
h. two years. that any action upon its part ca
nv only be had for three months out of twent,
,r- four; and that even when in session, th
.ly city has but one representative in bot
nd houses ought we not to seek such contr
III of our own affairs, as will permit us to NAL
of needed expenditures, when in our own jud!
nd ment, We deem it proper? II is easy to su
px pose many cases, in which, during the lol
he vacation OF the Legislature, great necessi
might arise for some expenditure. MI
we then summon from Their homes all {
sla- members of the Legislature gentlemen fro
TO Smyrna, and Dover, and Lepsic, and Fro
ing erica, and Milford, and Lewes and Geor,
all town, and Seaiord-to decide whether
the people of Wilmington shall have permss
ked to put their hands into their own peck,
Ses, and build a chool-house, or widen a str,
ear, Gentlemen Of the Legislature, this is
Ilify u question of vital importance, but it
$, of matter which involves considerations of
now tice and propriety. If the town of Do
, no wants to borrow money, let the peopl
re- Dover decide by vote whether or not it s.
nily be done If Milford needs gas-works,
uni Georgetown wants to pave It's streets, SUI
cred the members of the Legislature from
hem city will gladly leave the matter TO the il
luch ment OF Milford and Georgetown. We
this not understand the merits of their l.
questions, so well as they can for tn
&C is selves
!, by We suggest the proper name for tho
; Of called .Loan Bil. 1t is really -
d by IAN Act to permit the people Of Win
First ton to expend their own money" Ger
have men of the Legislature, can anything be
against fho'7