Daily Republican., 1883-04-11
OUR DOVER LETTER.
city Council Here In a BOdy-The
Amendments Accepted with one
or two Executions.

bers of Wilmington City Council t
this place, for the purpose Of presentin
to the Legislature their views in refer
ence to the amendments TO the ne,
City charter, which, it has been said
they were opposed to. The de,egatio
comprised Messrs. Beecher, Talley
Moore, Garrett, Smith and Bailey
Republican members, and Messrs
Baugh, Quinn. McKenna, Denny
Payntcr and Able, Democratic members
Messrs. Eastburn and Newall joined TIN
delegation in the afternoon. Clerk
Fraim and Bailitf Clayton were ais,
with the delegation.
Before the House adjourned thi
morning resolution was adopte,
granting the privilege of the House tt
the members Of Council for two hours
after dinner, in order that they coul,
present their claims. The meeting
was called to order with Mr.. COOch il
the chair, who stated the object of the
meeting, whereupon Mr.. Talley pro-
ceeded to give Il detaled statement o
the actions Of City Council at u Specia
meeting held on Monday evening lie
| then proceeded to review the amend
| that the first amendment striking out
the word "ward" and substituting
election districts, had been approved,
also second amendment which provides
for free hold security to the amount of
5000, and the third amendment, which
is the same as he first amendment.
AS regards amendments to "a inclu-
sive, relating to II municipal court, Mr.
Talley stated that opinions differed in
reference to that question. He thought
the court should he established after the
expiration OF Mayor Wales term, if cs-
tabishcd at all, and thought it would
work satisfactorily to all.
The venerable Mr.. Quinn then took
the floor and III glowing terms said that
the Democrats did not favor freehold
security and desired that amendment
stricken out. He said the charter had
been butchercd by few hungry cohorts,
who want to live without work Oft the
tax payers Of the city. "Talk about
your free Democracy or free govern
ment," he said, "if this was it he could
not see it," Continuing he said, ga
mans principles, honor, etc, were en-
bodied in this section Of freehold securi-
ty, and that money did not make the
brains. If there is any move to amend
the charter it should be done in an in
dependent way and let it be fair and
honorable. We don't want to be sad
died with commission
The Council did not ask for it, and
the people did not ask for it. All we
ask for is the passage Of the charter as
it left the city, where it was properly
considered and adopted by both Demo
Gratis and Republicans. Concluding he
said that of the men who were seeking
for these offices could not earn their liv-
ing without fat offices, let them starve
on go to work like every honest man
and earn their living by the sweat of
their brow In closing he did not for
get to remind the members of the Gen
era Assembly that he was opposed to
the freehold qualification. Mr.. Baugh
also opposed the freehold qualification,
and thought the Legislature would act
wisely by passing all the amendments
with that one exception.
At this point the members began to
at random overt he amendments,
when Mr.. Payntcr suggested that they
contine themselves to one section at a
time and discuss it if necessary, and |
thought that Council had agreed on the
section, as quoted by Mr.. Tallcy.
Mcssrs. Baugh and McKenna stimuli |
taneously arose and stated that the
Democrats did not vote on the freehold |
security clause.
The question was then brought back |
to the Municipal Court, and Mr.. Payn-
ter in reply To Mr.. Talley said that if
it was u good law now and did not think |
they should wait for some one to die or
for one mans term to expire before the
law should 60 into effect. If it is cre-
attd let II be created at once.
Mr.. Garrett said that Council had |
tits revision made and acted upon it |
section by section, thorougly discussing |
1t, and with the exception of one or two
sections unanimously agreed upon the
same. He said he never heard word |
Of objection against the charter as
adopted by them. When they came to
vote upon it as a whole, every member
voted for it with the exception Of him |
self and another member, who explained |
heir reasons for voting against it.
Mr.. Payuter asked if ii was not q
party vote.
Mr.. Garrett, without replying direct
y, continued and said that ''wc agree |
hat II Municipal Court would be an aa- |
bnt as long aS we have done
without it, we should do without it un
ii the end of the present Mayors term;
therefore, he did not think it would be
III advantage Today. If the law goes
nto effect at once you take away the |
,owcr from the Mayor while the Justices
If the Peace retain it until their terms
Expire.
All we ask is TO give our Mayor tho
same rights you give to the Justice of
lie Peace. The latter is appointed by
he Governor for IL certain period and
,ou cau't remove him. The Mayor OF
,ur city was elected by the unanimous
voice Of the people, and his rights should
not be taken away from him by legisla-
tive enactment. If, said the speaker,
This court is established after the next |
.lection, the Mayor, be he Republican or
Democrat, does not 90 into office blind
but is aware that this court is establish
I'd. Under the present rule we are get
ing along just the same, There are
10 perfect men in Wilmington and some
me is bound to complain.
In concluding he said all we aSh is
Justice, but if you call, "tAking Tn"
power away from an officer atur h"
mas been elcctcd,' justice, iArn ! TO
lot know what the term is.
The speaker then TOOK up IA" anrnG-
,urpts rnlpt inc ia tlp tilrIS ,t iltN