Delaware Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1843-1874, 1873-02-27
For the Delawue Republican.
ruENEw WATER LOAN BILL.

The new Water Loan bill, now under con
sideraton by our Legislature, contains some
features which, in the present era of corrupt on
in distinguished places, are worthy OF mo-
ment's consideration by the general pull lic,who,
after all is said and done, is the mott imme-
diately interested party in the matter II the
Democratic leaders desire water commission
ers, and will be sattied with nothing less, why
we suppose Democratic Legislature will ac-
con,modate them. But in doing so, in the
name of fairness let them as reasonable, ra-
tioual law makers, see to il that they do not
violate the very fundamental principles of that
Democracy, Of which they profess to be the ex-
ponents and representatives.
The writer Of this is Democrat and labored
zeaously-with time and means-to insure
The success of the National, State and local
tickets. And in common with his Democratic
friends, stoutly opposed the entertainments of
the National Administration upon the rights
and privileges Of the people in their sovereign
capacity AS States and municipalities. IL has
been a cardinal, irrepressible, and believe an
entirely sound principle of the Democratic par
ty that the people are sovereign, and have the
right to govern themselves; and upon this prin-
ciplc we are fighting, and will continue to
fight the Republican party, and yet am sorry
to say that a portion OF that same democracy,
acting as legislators for the State of Delaware
have either overlooked or disIegaldcd that
great principle, in Tie formation of TIL. water
bill for the City of Wilmington.
A careful examination OF the second section
| of this bill will disclose the fact that petty
| new government is to he set up for our city,
| outside Of and totally distinct from the regular
| and legal municipality, created under and by
virtue Of the charter. Three men are to take
the Water Department and all its vast interest,
and responsibilities away from the chos ell rep
| reseniativcs of the peope-the City Council
| and holding il aloof from all corporate authori-
| ~, are to run il as 10 them may seem best, de-
| spite the people or the peoples wishes as ex-
| pressed at the municipal election. And more
| ovel, these Commissioners are to be chosen,
| how =? by the people most largely interested
not ut all. But by the Governor.
The people are required by tile bill to paw
| in taxes, "A round halt million of dollars 10 I'M
| prove the Water Works, but the Governor and
| his appointed commissioners, are to take, have,
| hold and eXpcnd the money as to them may
seem best, without being ultimately amenable
| to any body or power whatever for the fidelity
with which they execute their trust. Is this
| Democracy? If it is, God help the people. How
such excellent RcprcSrntati rs as Lesley, Mar
| tin, Burchinal, Hickman, Watson and others
| can consent Ia let such measure become a
| law without at least honoring ii with an old
| fashioned Democratic protest, il is hard TO I'M
aginc. There are also other and many obiec-
iionallc features in the bill, all at variance
with sound Democracy, and wholly untenable by
| Democrats. -
| Why pass such \ lHcasurp at dils The PEG.
have chosen larn!h"rS OF Council, a majority
| OF tleih happen just now IL ~ Republicans
| Next year The tables may turn, AMI then what.
| The commissioners are Ia he appointed fol
three years at TIME, and have power to issu,
bonds and ,lisburse the proceeds, wholly indie
pendent III all municipal restraint Whatever
All this may seem well enough Just now while
our opponents are In power, hut how will i
look should the Democrats obtain possession
next fall.
The fact IS, this supcrcedure OF the local a,l
thority by the legisat uic for spccil PURPOSES al
together partizan III their tbafuct6r,i5 nnbecom
ing honorable pnL lair ptlndsd Legislators, dan
gerous io'thG best ihttIcsts ot the people a
large, and preeminentiy hazardous as a part,
| measure; since il Is UNIV lsc, Snti-pemocratic
and is moreover bread cast upon the waters
which altogether is foul and tiliby~=is sure t.
return after many DAYS " those who sent
t forth, as The political mana they treasured u
. | ipr themselves,
As a Democrat, would say TO our friend
at Dover, let this business alone. Let the pee
| pie do their own financial thinking and actinl
Hedge the present Council about with all the r,
straints and responsibilities, possible il nace
sary, but do not appoint a little star chamb,
- power behind the city to invite distrust Iii
> content and indifference as to the perpGtuhy
free government; by reason oil this consta
II looping of their right 10 10 their own will
,: their own best way. We charge the republica
d with this sort of legislation. Is it wise or p
II little for Democrats to initiate the danger o
example? DEMocRATus.