The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1893-04-21
CITY COUNCIL.
The Members Indignant mt the Lesisia-
tare for DeprivinG the Citizens Of
Wilmington OF Tbeir Rights:

The Members Indignant nj the I.esisia-
ture for DeprivIng the Citizens OF
wilmington OF Tbeir RiEh,s::
The regular meeting of City Coun-
Gil was held last evening. with Presi-
dent Benson presiding. 1t was evil
dent that there was something inn
portant on hand. as the members were
scattered around In groups, talking
In an excited manner.
The. regular routine business was
gone through In llstless manner.
when Mr.. Thomas called up for a
third reading the ordinance authoriz-
ing the borrowing OF $4,000 for tho
Improvement of the streets and ave-
nues Of the city. which had been fa-
vorably reported by the LAW and FL
nance Committees. The ordinance
was amended by striking out the
words gold coln," and Inserting the
words legal currency Of the United
States
Mr.. Perkins called attention to the
fact that two-third vote was neces-
sary to pass the ordinance and con-
tended that this pravision gaveCouncil
the right to pass or reject the ordin-
ance. He commended that the full
amount was not needed ut present
and that the one.half would meet all
demands.
. In the course of his remarks he said
that the street md sewtr directors
had been extravnQant in the use OF
money, and that thousands OF dollars
OF the peoples money had been d.
verified to the pockets OF men whom
he characterized IA walking dele
gates;" men employed at large salaries
whose time Is spent In watching
work.
Mr.. Murray was also In favor of cut
ting down the amount one half, as In
his opinion that was about all the
commission could make use OF this
year.
There was no penalty for rejecting
the ordinance altogether and Council
men could neither be fined or impris
oned for not approprlating any money
| to this or any other commission.
Mr.. Magee said that he had learned
that when the chairman OF the Financ,
Committee of Council had called upoI
the president Of the Street and Sewel
Commission about cutting down the
sum named in the ordinance he hat
told the chairman OF the Finance Com
mittee that the street and sewe
directors would not be dictated to by
| Council, that the directors had right
In the case and would maintain them
Mr.. Magee thought a proper answe
to this assertion of the street IN,
sewer director would be to test tn
question. He thought the time wa
coming and would soon arrive whel
this department OF the city govern
ment and all other OF its department,
would be dictated to by City Council.
While he did not wish to interior,
or hinder the work OF the commission
he wished them TO understand tina
Council is not to be dictated to b.
them In the matter OF creating loans
| Tha discussion was continued 10
some time. and was participated in b.
nearly all the members. Mr.. Perkin
finally moved that the further cor
sideration of the ordinance be post
poned for one week and the motto
was carried.
| BoMsHEIL.
But the great event of the evenin
came when Mr.. Mckelvey sent up +
the clerks desk and had read the To-
lowing preamble aud resolutions:
Whereas, The General Assembly o
the State OF Delaware has, by legisla
tive enactment. taken away from tn
| clLiAohS VI ohc clty VI WiituluBLOu III
right OF local self government by de
priving the mayor OF the control O
the police force and placing the con
troll of the peace and order OF tho cit
In the hands Of men who have no
been chosen by the city or Its loca
representatives, and
whereas, This action, done with
out the consent of tho people an,
against lat Is justly regarded as tn
interest most nearly allied to the pro
lection OF life and property In th
city. and by putting this control int
the hands OF men who do not repre-
sent the majority Of the people of thi
city, and placing the appointing pow
err of the governors OF this force Ii
the hands OF a man not responsible t
the people. and of whom the peopl
have no choice whatever, thereby sep
aratiDg more fully than ever befor
the people who pay the taxes and VIII
are Interested in the preservation O
order and In the observance OF Law
from the power which controls then
therefore be 1t
Resolved, That this City CounoI
do hereby enter its solemn protes
against the usurpation OF the libertie
of the people OF the city OF Whining
ton by this act which is the consun
nation of tho highest outrage that
is possible to perpetrate upon an III
offending people, and that we d.
nouuce such act of tho General Assem-
bly, as measure unworthy OF regarG
and which fully merits the contemI
OF every law-abiding citizen. withoi
regard to party, who believes thu
government which has been Institute
for the people should be controlled /
| nd n m
matters which affect their welfui
should determine the government {
the city, its proper management an
control In all its departments whic
concern its various interests"
Mr.. Perkins moved that the pr
ambie and resolution be adopted
when Mr.. Magee called attention I
the fact that the resolution was nj
signed. MIR. McKelvey said that /
: would sign it, and did SO.
Mr.. Megee, who seemed very muc
excited secured the floor, and said tht
he regretted there was member {
Council who could produce such
resolution. lie thought such a ma
might be expected to have q bomb
his pocket. He stated his oppositio
to commissions, but opposed the rest
luton. He denounced the preseI
Police Commission and the polio
force, describing the latter as IL
worst the city ever had.
Mr.. Perkins thought 1t was hig
time the people OF Wilmington ha
entered their protest against I'll
usurpation OF the Legislature, an
therefore he favored the adoption {
the resolution.
Mt Dannepberg favored the resoll
ton and did not think under the ci
cumstances, 1t could DO made to
strong. hessrs. Ross. Murray, Grim
opposed the resolution and Mr.. MoKe
vey took the floor and defended it. Il
said the rights of the people were b.
ing taken away and it was time II
hot shot, and there 1t was. He defen
ed tho police force and ridlculed til
idea OF making it non'partisan undo
the new commission. He called for
yea and nay vote. The resolution 1
: amended was read again.
, Mr.. Griffin moved to lay it on Il
, table. The motion was lost.
? Mr.. Magee moved to postponed
) indefinitely. The motion was lost.
a Mr.. Ross moved to postpone actio
Q for ono week. This. too, was quick
= killed.
\ The question on Mr.. Perkins nj,
u tion to adopt was called. when NJ
Thomas announced that while he ia
ored the sentiments of the preamb
and resolution, he objected to Il
manner In which IL was drawn an
would therefore vote against it
A yea and nay vote had been d