Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1889-08-08
TEE BANR DEPOSITS.
Prospective Move TO Change tho
street and sewer Department
z Funds 10 Auotner Rank.

fight was made against the Union Bank,
which now has all OF the city deposits, re.
sultinB In an opan victory for this bank,
followed by Its discontinue In the dis
covery OF the famous sc street rider" by
which the Street and Sewer Department
was authorized to keep its financial ac-
counts IN any bank 1t may see proper. In
accordance with this alleged law, the
IBtreet and Sewer Department, or at least
two ofits three directors, propose to remove
THE departments account from the Union
Bank and keep it hereafter In the Farmers
Bank.
City Council, at recent meeting drew
CHECK for 100000, the appropriation for
the department for the fiscal year lss9-90.
This check was drawn In favor OF Joseph
L. Carpenter. Jr., J. Newlin Gawthrop and
James Murray, directors OF the Street and
bewer Department, and Friday Mr.. Oar
penter Obtained the check from the city
treasurer, receipting for his colleagues.
The only thing now to do In order to effect
the desired change Is for the three directors
to endorse the check and deposit 1t in the
Farmers Bank.
But Just here is where hitch Is likely to
occur. Director James Murray, 1t Ia said.
is opposed to any change In the bank OF
deposit, and will refuse to endorse the
check except for deposit In the Union
Bank. And without his signature OF en-
dorsement the check cannot be deposited
for collection In any other bank.
II the check is endorsed for deposit in the
Union Bank so not deposited, 1t cannot be-
drawn out and deposited In any other bank.
This would necesstate the drawing OF a
check In favor OF the cashier of the bank
designated, or of some other person
selected for the purpose, but this check,
when drawn wonld have TO run the gaunt-
let OF the city auditor. As 1t would not be
an expenditure for work, material, salary,
or any other Legitimate purpose
OF the department, he would be
Obliged to return 1t without his
signature, and It would require the unani-
nous vote OF the directors 10 override his
objections. The city treasurer could also
refuse to sign, and II he did 10 legal pro-
oeedtngs would have to be resorted to to
remove bis scruples, as the department Is
not vested with power to override his OBJ
Iestions and compel him to sign. az Ia the
case with the city auditor. Altogether the
prospects are that there will be some lively
fkirmishing before the Street and Sewer
Department funds are transferred from thu
Union TO any other bank.
When the Sweet and Sewer Depart
msnt met in special session Monday, q
lovely little check for $l2O,OO0 lay on
the desk in front of President Carpenter.
It was check of the city of Wilmington,
good for its face value. and comprised
the appropriation of the department for
the next fiscal year. II was drawn by
City Council some time ago, to the order
OF the three directors, James Murray,
Joseph L. Carpenter, Dr., and j. NeWlin
a Gswthrop.
The question came up early in the
u meeting as to where this check should be
h deposited, and President Carpenter
opened proceedings by offering the fol
lowing long preamble and short resolu
ton:
N WHEREAS, At sundry public meetings
L held In the city OF Wilmington during ih'
winter Of 1887, to take into consideration
the subject OF sundry reforms In the man
II agement of city affairs. 1t was unanimously
resolved (among other things) that there
n be a bill prepared for presentation to thu
General Assembly Chen In session at Dover
creating board OF directors OF the Stree
IA and Sewer Department TO take charge 0
the streets and sewers OF our city and tt
conduct the city work on business princi
pies entirely free from politics. Said BIZ
AZ was duly prepared and received the en-
~ idorsement of a very large majority OF thu
NJ people who pay the revenues into the cit.
treasury. and upon Its presentation to thu
Legislature 1t passed both houses by thu
4 required majority and became law Apri
10th, 1887.
WHEREAS, said bill gave to the said boarC
tof directors all the jurisdiction and con
ltroi over the streets and sewers and sundr!
matterb tiht OOuugu previously uhu. L
contained clause which says: The money
aud revenue received by the Street ant
Bewer Department shall be deposited 4
the credit Of said department In such banl
III Wilmington as It shall decide upon.
WHEREAs Immediately upon the passag
OF the aforesaid act there was passed sup
element (being chapter 1889, Volume XVIII
Laws OF Delaware) repeating section o
said aet Tin 80 far as II related to the fund
OF said departmenD, which compelled tn
directors of the Street and Sewer Depart
rnent TO deposit its money In such bank a
shall from time to time be the depository c
the other city funds.
WHEREAS, Said act creating the Board @
DIRECTORS OF the Street and Sewer Depart
mapt compelled the said board to give &c
curfty In the sum OF .OCO before tnel
appointments would be- complete for IN
faithful discharge of their dirty accordin
to said act and their oath OF Office
WHEREAS, Said directors recognize the IL
Justice inflicted upon them by eompellln
them to bond in such large sum and
the same time removing their funds frol
their control, which is an implication {
their inability TO care for them. They a. Ii
legislative session OF 1889 presented bi
for the repeal OF chapter 1879, volume AVl
Laws of Delaware. Said BILL not mt etln
with favor by the chairman OF the con
mittee In whose hands II was placed 1t We
not reported for consideration, but W,
allowed to die In committee, 1t being Of
posed by the most powerful lobby that ev'
appeared ia the Legislative halls OF Dell
ware Failing to have our bill reporte
(although at all times there was mAioIi
Of both houses In favor OF i0 It passed
another form as an amendment TO bill "
eating G street which was then before tt
Legislature.
WHEREAS, Said bill vacatlng G street VII
it's amendment passed both houses OF u
Legislature with the required majority {
April Goth, 1885, and is now law, the fun
OF the Street and Sewer Department a
now under the control OF said departme
to deposit where they may desire, as
tended by the act creating said departmer
WHEREAS, The sum now about to CON
under our control amounts to some SlSl
600 annually, a very large deposit OF pa
dc money TO lay Idle In any institution l
Its benefit.
WHgREAs, It is the desire OF this depar
Inent, acting for the public good, 70 81
the people the greatest returns for Il
burdensome taxation they have endure
for years with very little OF a permane
character to show for II In the way OF II
proved streets and sewers.
WHEREAS, The interest on our avera
balances IN bank at 3 and per O.
amount to very large sum annually, al
the only way this can be saved for the Il
OF our department Is by depositing o
money In some trust company that pa
interest on deposits.
Therefore, Re IL resolved By The Board
Directors Of the Street and Ss,rrr Depd
ntent, That all moneys and appropriate
for current expenses OF said department
deposited In the Security Trust and 81
Deposit Company of Wilmington, Delawa