The daily gazette., 1883-03-31
PASSING TIE SENATE.
FURTHER DETAILS OF THE
REPRESENTATION DEBATE.
MR.. COOPER VERSUS MR.. BELTS.
How the Amendments 10 the New City
Charter Were Decided UpOn-Proeoed-

| OONEAg hAAlCu III hlt LtHlBlHIufe III
through with the approximation question
and whether the constitutional amendment
is to become pert Of the organic law OF
the commonwealth depends upon the next
General Assembly, before which 1t will come
for ratification. The bill passed the Senate
yesterday as duly telegraphed to the
GAZETTE, after rather lively debate lasting
over an hou,. Mr.. Cooper 10 his address,
when he called up the bill stated its objects
and provisions In q direct matter OF fact
way. He had hoped, he said, for a larger
increase, but, as it was, Wilmington would
have six members In the Legislature,
while the rural districts would not suffer.
having nearly the representation Of the other
two counties IL was only right that VII
mington should have more representation
In the General Assembly So far as inereas-
ing the Senate was concerned, Mr.. Cooper
said, he thought such a move was q wise
one, and on that point he quoted the late
James A. Bayard as showing how more
Questionable measures were likely to pass,
urged by outside influences, through a email
body than through large one. II was dan
gerous to place legislative powers In the
fhands Of few men and the larger bodies
grew the less liable were they to be under
corrupting influences. Legislation would
be healthier and safer.
During the debate which followed there
was some quiet sparring between Mr..
Cooper and Mr.. Belts. The latter argued In
| opposition TO the bill, that no increase hay-
ing been provided for in the Senate in favor
of New Castle, the hands of the people OF
that country were tied in efforts to defeat
any objectionable measure, or to pass any
really good measure, which the lower coun-
ties favored or opposed as the case might be.
The taxing and law making power is in the
hands OF a minority as before.
isargument, when Mr.. Belts had repeated
and emphasized IL later in the discussion was
fairly answered by Mr.. Cooper, who had de-
| clared himself TO be In favor OF territorial
representation in the Senate. If the
gentleman MEANS" said Mr.. Cooper, that
| he desires an increase that will enable New
Castle county to pass OF deleat any measure
that she might favor or oppose, as against
the wishes of the other two counties then
/ cannot agree with him. He objects to
two ruling one, but In such
case this would be one ruling two. It would
be simply reversing the thing and there
would still be minority as powerless as
that which he now bewails." New Castle,
Mr.. Cooper said, had never suffered by un-
just legislation by the lower counties He
had hoped that the county would be divided,
as that was the only way of remedying the
evil of which Mr.. Belts complained, but the
matter had come In some other shape, and
he should vote for 1t, hoping for the future.
Mr.. Chandler thought one Senator was
sufficient for Wilmington and the county
noR as aSsactor q Re Rad nopeu Ga su 1as
he would vote for Il and look to the future
for New Castle to get what she is entitled
to.
Mr.. Csvender said he would vote for the
bill, but he did not approve this way of tet-
tling the question. He would approve of
the division Of New Castle county and
| thOntrhf that that arfua tIe
faction to the people Of New Castle county.
81 take your statement" said Dr. Chand-
Ter, "as an admission that this bill does not
give us all we are entitled to. Why not give
US full representation undivided ~
This closed the debate and the vote was
then taken.
During the discussion Mr.. Belts said not
q word In favor of district representation,
being urged by the malcontents of bis OWL
party, and said he would vote for the bill II
1t gave an increase In the Senate. This stand
caused some comment.
THE NEW CITY CHARTER.
The fact that the new city charter was
reported TO the House yesterday was re-
ported by telegraph in the GAZETTE, to-
gether with a very full synopsis of the
various amendments Which have been made
to 1t by the Municipal Corporations CON-
mittee, The charter was put on the calen-
dar, aud will probably be reached on Mon
| day or Tuesday. People have wondered
at the great length of time which
was being consumed in considering
the charter in COMMITTEES, and some
criticism has been INDUCED ct what has
been termed waste of time. The fact OF
the matter is that there has been a great
| deal Of work to do and it has been perfected
| only after much trouble. Mr.. Bates has
taken upon himself the labor of putting the
charter In satisfactory shape, and it, In con-
nection with his other duties, has been very
| arduous. The amendments put to the
charter have been decided upon with very
great care. The committee, assisted by
/ Mr.. Bates, has been working ON them nearly
every night till IL O'Clock, and it is thought
| that iD It's present shape the charter will
give satisfaction to The people OF VIII.
| mington.
The proceedings of the two Houses yes
terday, are as follows;
HOUSE.
/ On motion Of Mr.. Cooch the Senate Joint
resolution adjourning sine die April tS, was
reconsidered aud the joint resolution laid
on the table. Mr.. Rawlins introduced an
act authorizing Joseph Bond to locate GER
/ tain vacant lands In Sussex county; Senate
bills.were read twice and referred as follows;
To divorce jackson Il. Hastings from Sarah
E. Hastings; to incorporate the
| shipley Run Sewer Company; to
incorporate Atlantic Lodge 1. o. o. F.
of Lewes; to incorporate the Wapilla
Manufacturing Company; for protection
from professional thieves, SC. relating to
the sale of intestate real estaUe; to incorpo-
rate the Diamond State Conserving and
Pick ling Company Of Smyrna to divorce
8. e. Records from Sarah K. Records re-
lating to Clerks of the Peace stock law
for Lewes and Rehoboth hundreds. Bills
were passed as follows Relating to the
State library (with an amendment that
fines shall be applied for Judicial reports,
under the direction of the Supreme Court
and not for text books) authorizing the
Trustees of the Poor to borrow $500 900 in-
corporation of the st. Georges Fruit Pack
ing Company. Adjourned to Monday Vt
f2 O'Clock.
SENATE.
Senate met at 10 O'clock. House bill for.
q stock law in district 1872, Sussex county,
was indefinitely postponed. Bills passed:
Giving Clerks Of the Peace authority to
administer eaths or affirmations I'm all bust
ness pertaining to that office. House bills:
for the renewal OF the charter of the Della
ware Loan Associations for stock law In
| 4 nfu