Delaware Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1843-1874, 1873-03-03
For the Deldrdre Republican
CENTRALIZING POWER,

TO HON. A.v. LESLEY NJ. d. PRESIDENT OF TIE
SENATE OF DELAWARE.
DEAR SIR-ln reading over the bill now
pending in the Legislature, for the "lmprove-
ment and extension of the Water Works of
Wilmington" one is struck with the remarkable
similarity of many Of its provisions, to the en-
Observation-Disclosures as We Democrats
very properly call them-of tlleidOminant nation
nj power at Washington. AMI as we read, we
marvel that such propositions can be seriously
entertained for single moment, 10y protested
and lifelong Democrats, who have been eight
ing Radicalism.in all its rcpulsive forms, for the
past ten or twelve years. Yet such is the fact
AID 1t is because ofthe existence of this fact,
that propose here, to address these few ie-
marks to YOU and through You to the Demo-
cratic Representatives in the General Assembly
Of the State.
The bill proposes TO sci up and keep running
for an indefinite period, not less than three
years at a time, petty financial corporation;at
the same time, and SO far rs il goes. with equal
II not superior power to the authorized and du-
ly constituted municipal goyern,nent-the City
Council.
1t is not pretended that the people, or any
proportion Of the people, have asked the Lcgis-
lature for this law, but it is undertaken by Il
few leading gentlemen of particular party who
satisfy themselves and hope also to satisfy you
with that inerest Of all tmsy protects, "the good
OF the party demands the measure"
oul3 tilS lOOilSll punt, ibI lilC Sthc
of getting rid Of it, let he ask, is there no other
than '.pdrty goOd' to be considered by iegsla-
tors who are sworn to do their duty TO the peo-
pie, protect the laws and respect the sovereign
authority?
Is it not just here that We bgcal; with the Re-
publicans, and oppose their policy and mea-
sures? They have been ever since they OBJ
tanned power, legislatng for the good of their
party, until oppression, corruption and the de-
cadence of popular liberty are cropping out all
over the country, TO the Imminent peril of in
diyidual and State sovereignty.
If Democratic Legislature may without
strong and controlling reasons therefor set
aside or block up the operations of legally con-
stituted local government within its own state
boundaries, because that local government
does not happen to be in accord with it politi-
eally, why may not the National government, III
furtherance of that principle set up State
Government of It's own closing for Delaware
for the same reason to wit-discordant pOliti
cal feelings? If the principle is good for
Democratic State, how are we to deny, reason
ably, Its adaptibility to Republican Nationa
Congress? We, as Democrats, claim that til,
Radical administration has been doing Just thi
thing ever since the rebellion began. The
history of its legislation proves lis truth, and
proves further, that the Democratic party mas
been fighting against all such cneruaclmcnts o
federal power, and not altogether without sue
cess, up to the present time. How Aen can we
and professions, here in Delaware, as to stoo
TO the same pernicOus practice by the passag
Bile shapeo
The provisions of that bill show first elias
Radical policy, but they rele't most lame an
oumiliating spectacle Of Dem cratic honesty
of profession.
Louisiana to-day is caused Ly jus. such al
lempts 10 centralize power, against the wishe
Of the people ane in opposition to the lawiu
AUTHORITY.
Two Site Governments, each hostile to I'll
oth'r are try NJ to govern that state at the sam
time, and all the while the people are sul,ern
in their political, material and social interests
And what is true of Louisiana, may also |
true OF Wilmington, though lul in tlIe san
degree, should Democratic Lcgslature-ul
solicited by the popular yoirc--do for her, vii
Congress has been trying to do for I.ousiaI
and the south generally set aside the popnl.
will, and make local laws in the interest
Radicalism for those States.
We expect, upon one Of those fine clcc.iC
days III The near future, 10 carry the City
Wilmington for the Democratic party, We wa
bat single ward, to change the political cor
plexion oil our Council and the promise OF o
tanning that ward is tlattering, provided we a
here to true Democratic principles and ca
eypediency to the winds.
But if We gain the victory we shall expect
carry on the municipal government agreeae
TO the laws laid down in the city charter, al
not according to special enactmcnts giving pc
tions Of the law making power to ''commissio
ers," not only outside OF law, bu, as belle
in open defiance of law and justice
lfthe Legislature is afraid that the represe
tatiyes of the people now in power in this cit
are not sufficiently honest to lie cntrus cd wi
the expenditure Of half million of dollars,
can and ought to pass u law compelling d
Water Committee to give additional sufcti
for the faithful Performance of their trusts.
Let them be required to enter into sullicr
bonds to guarantee salty and also to prlmp,
and frequently produce in opcn Council, a
thenticated vouchers Tor every dollar cxprndt
even though it should require a separate vouc
er for every dollar. Do this and whatever 81
may be deemed necessary to insure econom
fidelity and honesty, but do mol in the name
Democracy SO far initiate the policy oiRalic
ism as to set aside, wholly OF ia plIt, III, r,
nlarly and legally chosen officers of the q
government whom III. pc pie have doibcrat
called to tn, positions they seycraly oceu
with fall knowledge Of the duties AMI resp
sibilities that would be required OF them.
DENOcmIUs