Evening journal., 1891-01-26

Distrtcting NO Slate Was Formed.
To the Editor OF the EVENING JousEAL.
There has been so much misrepresen
tation relative TO what is known as
the Five Commissioners bill now pend
ing IN the General Assembly Of this
state, aud the motives OF those who
formulated that bill as well as the
manner in which it was formulated
have been so misrepresented, that feel
impelled, as one Of the three gentlemen
who shaped that measure, to say some
thing in It's behalf and to show, If | can,
some Of the public reasons which should
secure its passage. My attention was
called last evening to an editorial which
appeared In the Every Evening and
which, assuming to state the strongest
case for the bill that could be made,
could only find 3 purely partisan reason
for its passage. This editorial, appear
ing as it did, in one of the most infiuen-
tial papers Of the state, edited by men
for whom ! have great respect and who
assume, moreover, to be Democratic in
their loanings, is calculated to de the
Five Commissioners bill great harm.
Public Reason for the Bill.
The persons controlling the conduct Of
are public reasons, apart from mere party
considerations, which can be urged in
favor Of the passage Of the measure, or
they are more painfully lacking in
political apprehension than am
willing TO believe From the time
when the synopsis Of the contents Of
this measure first appeared in the
press, which has been something
over two weeks ago, down to the present
date the Ever Evening has had no out
spoken good word to say for this bill, but
1t hss INDUCED in, talked about non-cOn-
tiguous hundreds and star-chambers and
has published a slate in its local columns
which IL knew 70 be preposterous and
absurd Everything that could be done
indirectly has been done to prejudice the
passage Of this measure. IL is now time
for some Of the friends of this measure TO
say something in its behalf ana ID is only
becauss have been concerned in framing
the Five Commissioners bill that l now
feel constrained to give to the public
the history OF that bill and why certain
OF its provisions were framed as they
have been.
Change Was Necessary.
The public mind has been agitated for
snch degree that both parties felt them
selves impelled during the last campaign
TO pledge 10 the people substantial re-
forms in the management Of county
finances The loose and extravagant
manner in which the present system had
been managed and the possibilities which
that system held out for evil has long
been painfully apparent to men Of all
parties. The time when such a system
Of government as now prevails In this
county should be changed was conceded
by everyone who participated in the can
vass Of 1890 TO be al hand and this feel
ing not only prevailed in the city Of Will
mingtoa, but in larger sense
in the rural districts Of
New Castle county who felt
more keeniy than the citizens Of the
municipality the burdens that a loose
prodigality, not to charge criminal mis-
management, had thrown upon their
farming interests.
A Rough Draft.
After the election was over a number
Of reputable citizens Of New Castle
county, among whom Was the senior
Senator from this state, met together,
discussed certain reforms, among which
was the necessity of county governmental
reform. George Lodge Esq, OF Brandy
wine hundred. Frauk d. Carpenter Of
this aty and myself were selected com
mittee TO perfect q bill. We set about
this work, gathering materials and
studying systems, and the result OF our
lRbors is found in the Five Commits
sioners bill, now before the General AS
sembly A rough draft Of this bill was over
two weeks ago submitted TO prominent
citizens aud synopsis Of its contents
substantially. but not literally correct
was In the daily press almost siUultane-
ously with the rough draft. The bill was
then written to completion ana agsir
submitted % persons of experience, sub
jecte6 to some slight notifications aud
again rewritten on the Monday which
6rst ushered this General Assembly int,
existence. Now. what are its main pro.
visions, and what are the reasons whici
impelled the men who formulated thu
bill to insert those provisions!
The rive Commissioners BIZ.
The two leading features in this bill
in our method Of county govern
ment, are first. the introduction .
the district system, and second th
q strong financial check in the person Q
3 county comptroller. When we came {
consider cur system of government "
were met at the outset with several diff
cult problems. We had first to conside
the number Of the commissioners. w
determined on FIVE as lust medium be
tween too few commissioners in whol
power should be coneentered and "a
many In whom Ii should be too widel
dispersed 1t will be apparent to all tbs
our present system Of eleven levy court
men is fatal to the idea Of accountabilit
by reason Of the large number in who
power is scattered and it is equally appa
ent that three members whom som
people desired would be too few, 4,
while taere might be more account
ability there might he Z,
much concentration so we d
cided upon Eve as q inst medium
which might be found aecountabilit
while at the same time power should u,
be so concentrated. Thus the power
combine and deal is lessened and eveI
good end is subserved.
The District Problem.
Having disposed Of the number ,
commissioners the next problem DR.,
sented to us was how TO appoint and ele
them, whether by the county as q IN
or by the introduction of the distrf
consideration, and after feeling assur,
that the best thought in the party
which we belonged was In favor Of il, al
furthar considering that the party
opposition to as had for years declared
g. ...Ft LIZ =. a.