The Morning herald., 1876-12-28
AwATEk CONFUSION.

One of the evils which affect our body 20.
litic is unrest-a desire to hy from present
evils to some untried means for relief. Ac-
tuated thus, we find number of our citi-
zens favoring plan to give us Water
Commission" to finish the reservoir, and
regulate and manage the Water Depart
msnt OF our municipality. "History is ex.
perience teaching by example," says a
= profound thinker, and if we desire to be
instructed by example we have only to cast
our eyes northward few miles to Phila-
delphia. That city is now robbed, ruled,
and its citizens insulted by commissions.
The Gas Trust is close corporation which
has defed every attempt at an investiga-
ton into its affairs it is potent enough to
fill the council chamber with it's creatures,
pack conventions, and plunder the citizens
with impunity, to such degree, that to be.
come member Of the "Gas Trust" is eoui.
valent to making fortune. The Building
Commission Of the same city, has been
openly charged, with completely with con-
tractors to rob the city. The Park Com
mission assumes airs, and demands money
with the insolence ola highwayman, and
the hauteur Of a Duke. The School Board
appointed by the Judges of Philadelphia,
have been charged by Mr.. Caven with fraud
and dishonesty-and although there was
much bluster, about tit was found true.
The principle of commissions is vicious,
and obnoxious to our theory of municipal
government. Sooner or later such mode
ofgovernment must destroy municipality,
and promote Capitalization. The cradle6f
freedom is the municipality, and any
scheme which tends to restrict its power, is
a step towards centralized Bureauracy.
We would infinitely prefer:a Committee
Of City Council, or three or more citizens
elected by, and responsible to Council, to
finish the reservoirs, and manage the
Water Department, than any commission
appointed by the Legislature. The indie.
pendence of the municipality, is of
greater moment, than any supposed party
advantage to come Of Democratic Com
mission. The City Council must take the
responsibility Of management, if unfit or
unable to do 80, let them resign. One who
will study the history of the municipali'
ties Of Europe, and in so doing, mark how
they Graded liberty, nursed it, defended d
it, de6ed crowned despotism, and ever
and always, stood by popular rights, will
hesitate to shear, our City Council of any
power. We do not care what their poll
tics may be, Councilmen are directly &C
countable to the people, and we mus,
enter our protest against any curtailmen
oftheir franchises or responsibilities. In
stead of creating a "Water Commission
We would ask the Legisla ture to put tn,
School Board, under the control of Cit,
Councll-who are the peoples representa-
tives. The cornerstone Of our institu
tions rests, upon the theory that II.
people alone are the source OF all politics
power. Good men and true stan,
together in defence Of your City Coun
cil-compel them to take the respons
bilities Of their position, if the member
fear to do so, invite them to resign; br
above all things do not delegate you
right of Home rule, to the Representa-
tives of Kent and Sussex. The City
Wilmington, ought to be proud and sci
reliant enough to manage, one Of its de
psrtmsnts without, beseeching people wh
are ignorant, Of her needs 10 help her.