The daily gazette., 1883-08-20
BosH AND CANNON.
Councils Threats of Removing City Audi
tor Ball.
1Delawarean.l


1t is reported that the Republican mem
bers of the City Council of Wilmington are
contemplating the removal of Auditor Ball
on account of his persistent refusal to en-
dorse the illegal action of Republican ma
jortty In defying the laws of the State. Since
the passage of the act creating a Water
Commission for the city of Wilmington, by
the Legislature at its last session, Mr.. Ball
as refused to a. prove the orders drawn
upon him, on the ground that the action of
the Council was Illegal in supporting a
rump water department In disregard of
statute law. There can be no better way to
bring this Water Commission question
squarely at issue than by the removal
of Mr.. Ball, and at the same time
1t would decide the question whether Re-
publican majority of a ffth-rate city is su-
perior in power and authority to the Legis-
lature OF the State2 Whether a creature is
greater than its creator2 Whether Repub-
lican Council can select from the statutes
those laws which it pleases their high
mightyness to obey, and disregard and vio-
late those that they deem inimical to them
and their party's interests9 All these ques-
tions will be determined in the issues raised
by Mr.. Balls removal, and 1t would be well
to have them definitely and finally settled.
There has been too much supineness on the
part of those elected under the Water Com
mission bill any way. This whole matter
ought to have been determined in the very
outset of the muddle.
Those backed by the authority of the law
not only should have demanded, but should
have taken possession of the Water Depart
ment Of the city of Wilmington, and elected
those refusing to deliver up possession of
the works. Peaceable methods are at all
times the best If men are to be dealt with
w n nd 1a, k,,k
Republican majority of three-cent Council
who are imbued with the idea that to be a
City Councilman is the highest honor at
tainable by man, and who evince that be-
liet by setting their will above law and Or
der, the trying of peaceable measures is not
only ridiculous but nonsensical. The COM
missioners named in the act creating the
Water Commission have been legally and
lawfully appointed to perform the duties
which under the bill devolve upon them,
and backed by the supreme law of the State,
they should exercise those rights and take
possession of the water department. BACKED
by the law, they have the power to take
them either forcibly or otherwise, and they
should no longer be deferred by the blow
and bluster, bragadOcio or bravRdo of this
Republican crew who, Initiating the example
of the National Government, have taught
themselves that might is far better than
right.
A stop should be had at once to the su-
bineness that has characterized the actions
of the Commissioners of the Water Depart
ment of the city of Wilmington, and a
movement should be started at once to gain
dossession of the works now in possession
of the henchman of this Republican mi
nority, who in defiance of law, decency and
right are performing the duties of Offices
from which by law they have been ousted.
If the commissioners prefer to appeal to the
courts for a settlement of the difficulties
now existing, they ought to institute proceed
ings at law Immediately If they don't de-
sire the delay which legal procte ed
ings will occasion, they ought to
take steps at once to get possession In
some other way. They ought not
to depend on this law defying majority TAX
ing steps to remove the City Auditor. That
talk of removal is all bosh and CANNON,
given out by them in the hope that fear of
removal will compel the Auditor to recog-
nize their illegal actions and endorse them.
This majority don't want the question of
title raised, and as long as supineness and
weakness characterizes the action of the
commissioners it won't be raised 1t is the
duty of the commissioners to assert their
rights and sustain the law that created them.
VIII they do it,