Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1889-02-04
LEGISLATION FOR THE CITY.
Departments Present Their Views OF
What Is Needed.

The Citizens Committee and the City
Departments Present Their Views OF
what Is Needed.
The committee of the Citizens Associa-
tion and the heads of the different depart
ments of the city government, met in
the rooms of the Street and Sewer De-
partment on Saturday evening to discuss
matters Of city legislation.
Those present were Mayor Harrington,
c. Wesley Weldin, President Charles
Baird Of the Board of Education,
William Fl. Swift, George w. Bush,
partment Of Elections; President
Joseph L. Carpenter, Jr., and
]. Newlin Gawthrop, of the Street and
Sewer Department; Allen Speakman, Dr.
j. A. Draper, president of the Board of
Health; President John G. Farra, of the
City Council, and Lewis c. Vandegrift.
Esq, came in after the adjournment Of
City Council Mayor Harrington pre-
sided and G. Wesley Weldin acted as
secretary The discussion was general
The matters talked over and the proposed
matters of legislation were as follows:
The Street and Sewer Department
wanted some power to collect liens for
paving, also to have the money expended
for lighting the city returned, as such
expenses are not intended for the depart
ment. The intercepting sewer to drain
the northwestern part Of the city was
also needed.
DIR. Draper OF the Board of Health
wanted law compelling all water closets
to be drained into a sewer whenever pos
sible.
President Baird of the Board Of Edu-
cation spoke of the nonresident pupils
who attended the schools of the city.
He thought law allowing the board to
charge them a certain sum, would be adj
vantageous.
Mayor Harrington read bill already
prepared, providing for an increase5n the
police force of thirty-six men. Also for
the addition of two detectives to the
force at salaries not over + 900 per
annum. The mayor stated that if the
bill should become a law he would
appoint night sergeant. An increase
in the present force was necessary, and
would be obtained even If Council opposed
the number stated in the bill Mr. Bush
thought that an increase of eighteen
would be enough. At Mr.. Carpenters
suggestion the matter was laid over for a
short time Meanwhile the size of the
police force in cities of similar size will
be ascertained
Mr.. Wilson of the Department Of Elec-
tions suggested changes in the election
law, He advocated a change of the term
Of members Of the department to six
years, making it uniform with the other
departments The commissioners should
be divided between the parties Neither
party should have the advantage The
total number of inspectors in each ward
shonld be divided as evenly as possible
between each party.
Mr. Vandegrift remarked that 1T will
not be well to get toe good suddenly
lie supported the present law
DR.. Draper and Mayor Harrington and
Mr. Bush approved the proposed change.
The sense Of the meeting on the pro
posed recommendations was taken and
all voted ayes but Mr.. Vandegrift.
Mr.. Wilson also spoke of the pay Of in
spectors, and advocated the paying of a
salary to the election commissioners only
for the years during which an election
was held, provided the term was changed
to six years The change of the hours of
registration to from 8 a. M. to z D. m,
was also mentioned.
The matter of reducing the member
oil VI wy NOunliA W lNtlAt WAS us
cussed. Mr.. Farra said all Councilman
that he had talked with believed that
twelve was enough to transact the bust
ness. He thought it would be better to
allow all to hold over until the next
mayoralty election. and then elect twelve
than to retire twelve of the present
Council next June.
DR.. Draper thought that the present
system of Council meeting fees would be
cheaper than a salary of $3.50 provided a
limit per month be made. Mr. Vande-
grift defended the bill before the Legisla-
ture.
IT was decided to have some program
OF what was wanted drawn up for the
next meeting The secretary was di-
rected to invite the Park Commissioners |
to the next meeting. Adjournment was
then taken until Wednesday evening
next at s o'clock.