Daily Republican. [volume] ([Wilmington, Del.]) 1874-1890, 1884-12-26
Tho liay Finances.

Tho city Finances.
We arc compelled to say that the
Times in its article on the City finances
ID entitled to the credit OF truthfulness
~ far rs showing exactly how the city
fDAnces stand, and where there is NJ
much OF truth we can readily excuse a
little political ambiguity. The greal
fact is IL our city were to depend upon
The amount of money nov in the City
Treasury, and that stillto be collected, to
carry il on, it would soon become
bankrupt, and with our neighbor We
woald call halt in the present mode
Of conducting the financial department
Sfolr city.
Our taxes are certainly high enough
% give as sufficient money to carry on
the city without going into debt every
year and leaving a great legacy of un-
paid bills to every succeeding Council.
While 1t is true that neither political
PARTY is clear from the blame OF mex
Cusable extravaganza at times, the
xrsat blame Is 10 be attached to the ex
trome partisan legislation enacted by a
partisan legislature, which virtually
Asnuls the voice Of the people and
ssayes them irresponsible for the ex.
travAgsnoe that is a sure result IL
need not be thought strange that peo-
pie who are overridden by extreme
partisan legisla ton, ~ the people of
Wilmington have been, should become
moro or less reckless in the conduct Of
tho CITY Government.
If the Tunes will take the trouble 70
20 hack dozen or so of years and
intimately review the partisan legisla-
ti0n of that period 1t need not wonder
NJ the little respect that is shown for
snch legislation. 1t has been nothing
bnt Wholesale sy stem Of injustice all
the way through without any regard
for the rights Of a majority of the peo-
pie. The great object OF Democratic
politicians and partisan Democratic
Legislature WAS to put Wilmington
under the control Of a Democra ic City
CoNncil, regardless of the desire of the
people.
In proof OF this, look at the ward
eerrymander The Democratic party
OF this city, with a thousand less voters
and Ave Thousand less population, is
divided into six wards, each ward with
two oOuncilmt a, twelve in all, while
the Republic4o side Of the city, with a
thousand more vo,ers and fve thou
sand more population, is divided into
II ve wards with two 'ouncilmen each
ten in all. Can a people have any
respect for such legislation as tina, ?
Then witness the establishment OF
the Water Com mission and the MUM
oipal Court, in direct opposition to the
will Of the people newly expressed at
the ballot box, The pie said by
their votes that Republican Council
should have charge Of the water works,
but Democratic Legi stature annulled
Ihe wish OF the people aud said the
IA An should be at the head of the water
department who the Republicans said
by their votes should not be-
The Legislature creating Municipal
Court was ia direct violation OF tue
will Of the people. The Democrats
had Democratic Mayors in regular
succession for nine wears and nine
months, but as soon as the Republican.
elected Mayor Democratic, Iegisl,-
ture Annullea the will of the people nv
tho creation of a Muaicjpal Cont and
the appointment of Democratic Judge
and Democratic Clerk TO perform the
duties The people intended A Repuhli
can Mayor Should do. What can he
expected OF . City Council when Legis-
latures act in this manner