Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1891-01-08
THE FIVE COMMISSIONERS BILL
A Scheme to Make Two More
Levy Courtmen.

l. IL 10 I6pOTleu Lndb I0e Name OF IubTlCl
Neary has been inserted in the vacan
space referring to the controllers posi-
ton in the new Five Commissioner
bill, of which the county executive com
mittee is the putative father. Tn
modest sum of $4,000 per annum is tn,
figure added as the salary attached tt
the proposed office.
There is very emphatic common
throughout the city upon this rumor
Reformers assert that it eliminates fatty
all color of reform from the Democratic
ante-election promises. Upon the othel
hand practical politicians" boldly as
selt that it is most admirable move
ment and will tend to successfully
checkmate Republican aggression
Again, prominent Democratic leaders
who were not invited to the series OF
political syniposiums which Matched
out the county executive committees
bantling charge that il was concocted in
secret, that it does not repre-
sent the intentions of Democratic
| reform and that had full representa-
ton of party men been invited to the
| deliberations no such bill would have
been formulated for New Castle county
or else it would have gone to Dover ac-
companied by minority report so dis
tinctively adverse to some of the planks
contained in it that the legislators at the
capitol would thereby have an authori-
tatiye idea of the true consensus of
Democratic reform idea as it exists in
Wilmington and the other hundreds of
the county, which, according to the bill
as drafted, they positively have not.
II is asserted, too that the Commits
sioners bill as presented at the last
Legislature is, as genuine reform
measure, far superior TO the present one
Additionally it is pointed out that
handing over TO controller, as indi-
Gated in the proposed measure, the
duties and responsibilities as drafted, is
simply reconstituting the levy court in
all its antique form, only under more
vicious guisc. 1t gives to one person
dictatorial powers. IIe is simply an
autocrat. He has the whip hand Of com
missioners, collectors and treasurer. lie
can at will refuse any bills; dispute at
will any county work; can refuse at his
own whim satisfaction on any bridge or
structure no matter how well or poorly
constructed. This gives him indirect,
hut undisputed power over the disbursai
OF county funds and that constitutes
him the possible bane of all practical re-
form, "a political boss"
Another interesting rumor has crept
out, namely, that in their deliberations
the county executive committee has de-
termined that it is wise arrangement.
and the Wilmington hundred members,
it is stated, have been so informed, that
Willard Hall Porter, ESQ.,, would be a
suitable person to be the next mayor of
the city of Wilmington.
One important comment upon these
sIar-chamber slatings of enactments is
that in the consideration Of the measures
the Democrats as a body, who are I'M
doubleday in favor of genuine reform,
as promised at all the various ante-elec-
ton gatherings, have not been consid-
cred at all in the formulating of the
present enactment. 1t has been done
secretly; has not been given to the party
for consideration and ratification, which
action Democrats claim they are entitled
TO before measures of such comprehen-
slve importance are sent to the Logisla-
ture as representing their wishes and
ideas; and that, therefore, they are nu-
gatory and not entitled to credit al
Dover, either in House or Senate. In
plain words, there is a great big kick
against the measure under its present
from all parts of the city
and county.
STILL ANOTHER SCHEME PROPOSED.
Another scheme talked of for the pur-
pose OF depriying the Republican ma
jority of the control of the levy court is
based on the Sussex county plan of
dividing two or more hundreds and thus
reversing the complexion of the court
instead of abolishing the body alto
gether.
The plan proposed is to divide Will
into two hundreds, with
member for each hundred, and divide
New Castle hundred in the same man |
ler. This would add two Democratic
members Ito be named in the bill or an
pointed by the governor) to the court,
70 that it would stand seven Democrats
o six Republicans instead of being Re-
publican by vote of six to five. as will
le the case after this month.
This plan finds much favor with the
lolding-over Democratic members Of
he levy court and their friends, but is
ar from satisfactory to those who want
he court abolished entirely.
Another interesting statement is al
,ulged, namely that county registra-
ion enactment is in formulation. This
5 to take the place of the eXisting
ounty Outside Wilmington assessment
nd collection laws. The new enactment
viii be constructed on parallel lines with
he present city registration law.
A rival to Patrick Neary in the office
I controllership is William II. Lee Of
he health department. 1t is stated he
as pretty strong pull on his opponent
n this city and wipes him out entirely
2 legislative favor at Dover.