Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1893-04-13

|
he General Assembly Of the State of Della
ware, comprising large majority thereof,
following an iniquitous Democratic Gus
lom. inaugurated in recent years at the
solicitation of certain disreputable poll
Iicians, is now engaged in adding to the
long train of abuse heretofore perpetrated
against the citizens of the city of Will
nington, by denying to them the right Of
local self-government and
WHEREAS, Among other outrageous
measures the aforesaid Democratic menu
bers of the General Assembly now pro-
pose to divest the mayor of this city,
elected by the people, of all power and
authority overthe appointment, controland
discipline of the police force of this city,
tnd to vest the same in persons hereafter |
20 be appointed by the governor Of this |
State, thereby depriying the people Of this |
eity OF the right to participate in local |
matter closely affecting the safety, security |
md protection of their persons and prop |
srty; therefore, be it
Resolved, That this club, voiCing, as it be- |
lieves, the sentiment of every patriotic and |
lelf-respecting citizen in this city, irrespec-
live of party utilization; condemns and de- |
hounces as unjust, Ubiquitous and tyran-
nical the proposed action Of Democratic
members of the General Assembly in TAX
Ing from the people of this city the right
10 control through their votes the manage
thereby assailing the fundamental right Of
HE people to manage and control their
local affairs, as secured to them by the
constitution, and whereby the perpetua-
tion of those rights are threatened by n So
ralied democracy with tyranny more
dangerous IN its tendencies and possible
effects than the tyranny Of desPot; and
be it further
Resoi,ed, That the club extends to the
citizens of the city the privilege Of the
clubhouse on Monday evening next for
The purpose of holding a meeting Of the
citizens to protest against the measure; and
This club earnestly commends TO all
sitizens the necessity for such a meeting
and immediate action
At $50 Monday evening" the room was
fairly well-flled and samuel " Knox
made the motion that George A Elliott he
chairman and Frank Wooley secretary.
BY this time among the audience was
EASILY recognized the old line Republican
faces. Mayor Wiley was there Fred
Eden Bach and other leaders but not a
Democratic face could be seen.
In opening the meeting Chairman
Elliott made brief address. He con.
heInned the idea Of wrestling from the
people of the city their rights of self
government. He closed by asking of those
present a full and free expression of
opinion on the subject under consideration.
Mr.. Knox did not know of any special
plan in view, but referred to the fact that
at the last regular meeting of the club it
was determined to open the rooms for the
citizens to express their ideas publicly on
the pending Police Commission question.
Chairman Elliott said that the enact
ment affected the rights Of all citizens If
the town, but as it expressly affected the
rights of the chief magistrate the speaker
would be glad TO hear from Mayor Wiley.
Mayor Wiley explained that he came to
the meeting somewhat unSillingly. as he
was suffering from n very bad cold and
was in no condition to make q speech. He
said in effect, as follows: What is now
engrossing the attention OF our people is a
question that everyone interested in a
popular form of government should take
an abiding interest in. Special legislation
should be accepted only after the closest
scrutiny and investigation. This proposed
change in the Police Commission by re-
moving the mayor upsets the RESPONSE
bility of the chief magistrate of the city to
the people. have carefully looked over
the statutory responsibilities Of the mayor
of this city, and find that all that is left
to him is possible invitation 10 attenu the
meeting of fire company and make d
speech, to veto an ordinance Of COun'
Gil, or to marry pair Of stray Italians
Uaughter.) All his responsibilities arc
absolutely cut Oft. Tho question nov
comes, what is all this to develop nto2
AGAINST THE rotICE EfLL.
It has been stated IN the Democratic
papers this evening that am in favor o
this Police Commission bill. J. here declare
emphatically that ! am not, 1t has beer
stated that there are only three Democrat!
on the police force out ut IS patrOlmeI
know there 10 he % Democrats. | lrslr
here to contradict the statements mad
otherwise for me,
New Castle county including Whining
ton, pays a considerable share of the az
penses Of Kent and Sussex. in return 70
which we have the glorious privilege o
paving taxes for their support.
The police force is IN every way bette
than it ever was before The men hay
not been required to do political work an,
have done none 50 far us knew III
records of the force show nothing Of tn
kind before in Wilmington. Then asl
what's the use of taking the res pousibilit
from the chief executive have been toll
that it is the intention 10 ptt The new com
mission iii on May lst. suppose that ate
making "A bipartisan commission OF tW
Democrats and one Republican, the itlc
is to get ready for the coming ty election
Ny responsibilities end June 10Th.
/ have heen asked why We don't II
nonstrate. ! say frankly that the cause
which led to the American Revolution AZ
not SO marked nor 50 strong rs the inlia
mites this people have had from til
hands of the government at Dove
lCheers. ] was assured by two member
Of the Legislature at Dover that the
would vote for npupartisau measure
Now do these men fear dclear at the ton
ing city election?
MIR. President, ! don't know how Ion
we can put up with this. 4 sussex ma
remarked 20 me in Dover that Wilmingto
and New Castle county should pay ii
taxes Of Kent and Sussex because tho
Las In