Evening journal., 1893-04-05
CITYCHAMP MPIONSC CONFER
Wilmington Delegates Urge
Cautious State Legislation.
METROPOLITAN BILLS DISCUSSED

the OstensibIe Purpose OF Analyzing
Pending City Measures-work Of SEN
ate and House Yesterday.
Staa Correspondence Evening Journal.
DOVER, April ga large delegation
Of Wilmington's Democratic politicians
had a hearing before the House Commit
tee on Municipal Corporations and other
members Of both houses last evening.
The ostensible purpose Of the meeting
was to consider bills affecting Whining
ton and now pending In the General
Assembly. Peter l.. Cooper, Jr., how.
ever, asserts that IL was a snap delega-
tion in behalf of Joseph L. Carpenter,
Jr., who wants to have the Street and
Sewer board membership increased TO
five with himself and William H. Nc
Garrity as the additional members
Those present were Andrew G Wilson,
General J. Parke Postles, Election Com
missioners Thomas G Doud aud James
S. Dobb Patrick Neary, Receiver OF
Taxes John T. Dickey, Peter l.. Cooper,
Jr., Robert G. Harman, Clerk of the
Municipal Court S s. Adams. ex Clerk
of Council A. f. Messick, II. Il Lannon.
David w. Hughes, ex City Auditor John
A. Mitchell, Clerk Frank A. McCloskey.
of the Election Department; Chairman
Willard Salisbury, of the county execu-
tive committee: c. c. Montgomery, ex-
Councilman Michael Sharlkey, John +
Callahan. erstwhile deputy collector Of
the port Sergeant Of the Senate John
X Doran Gnd Victor b. Wooley, counsel
for the House.
Prior to the meeting in the State
House conference was held at the
Hotel Richardson and the result was
that the bill merging the two election
departments of Wilmington will be
amended to require at least one member
Of the board to sit with the clerk Will @
making transfers in April.
Representative Spruance presided
over the meeting held in the State
House parlor.
Mr.. Woolley informed the committee
Of the result of the conference
As soon as this was understood. Mr.
Neary said that there were other things
relating to the city of Wilmington
which ought TO be spoken Of. They
had q good gathering Of Democrats and
the bills In relation TO the City Govern.
ment should be CAREFUL consid cred
There was the Street and Sewer bill.
Police Commission bills. The act TO
purge the city assessment and the bill
to allow each council TO elect its own
officers. He claimed that the city poll
assessment for county taxes contains
many fictitious names put on by as
SCISSORS for the purpose Of getting the
fees allowed by the Levy Court. He
said that II these names were allowed
TO remain and the present system con
tinued for four years, there would be go. .
600 names OF poll taxables on the books
in Wilmington hundred lalone; whereas
it is known that there are not more
than from 5000 TO 10000 voters who
pay poll tax alone
General j. Parke Postles alluded
briefly to general city legislation aud
then branched of in Mr.. Carpenter s
behalf. He spoke OF his efficiency as a
Street and Sewer director and what he
had done for the city. He thought that
commission Of ex.members could work
harmoniously and he would like the
Legislature TO pass a bill placing Mr..
Carpenter back on the commission He
insisted that the Legislature pass bill
removing the police force from political
influence and removing the mayor from
the commission These ideas were
seconded by A. G. Wilson.
Willard Salisbury, Jr, thought that
the Street and Sewer Commission should
consist of five members If any change
Was to be made. He spoke more at
large on the general outline Of the law
TO enable the Levy Court to purge the
assessment lists.
Mr. Neary urged the necessity of the
Legislature taking some action to put
the Street and Sewer Commission under
Democratic control by appointing two
additional members, one Of whom should
be Mr.. Carpenter. lie also urged the
members TO pass one on the Police
Commission bills and made few com.
ments on Mr. Saulsburys idea Of purg.
ing the poll list.
Peter l.. Cooper, Jr. was the next
speaker. His views were diametrically
opposed to those advanced concerning
the Street and Sewer Department by the
preceding speakers. He said in the first
place, that the commissioners were un.
democratic and vicious in their tenden.
cies and while he had nothing to say in
regard TO Mr.. Carpenter, whom he held
in high regard and esteem, he contended
that a party is means TO good govern
ment, and not an end, and when the
principles Of party are to be contorted
Tor the purposes of political advantages
not tending to good government. it is
time for the General Assembly. whether
It be Democratic or Republican, to call a
halt. He advised the Legislature If
there was TO be any commission 10 wine
them out entirely and institute a select
and common council and have the princi
pies Of local self government re insti.
tuted in the city. He believed the people
Of Wilmington desired the commission
10 remain just as it is II is worked
well, and Mr.. Moore is a capable man i'm
whom the people had great trust and
confidence There was no reason why
the affairs Of the commission should NOT
be conducted as well under the present
personnel as heretofore. General Postles
replied that Mr.. Carpenter had formu.
lated plans for the improvement of the
city in the future and any change would
work to the detriment Of the Municipal.
ity.
Mr. Cooper said that If these ideas
were carried out, IL would be better Ia
make the Offices life terms.
This wet blanket speech Of Mr.. Cooper's
had the effect of causing the meeting Il
adjourn.