Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1894-07-12
required for the management of these two


departments.
The Police Commission was created for
purely partisan reasons, and the next
Legislature ought to wipe it out. Under
judieious administration Of the mayors
office this department could be conducted
at d cost not exceeding $4,000,
The brightest page III the current history |
of Wilmington relates to our public |
schools. These have been left to local con.
troll, and the system ia all its details COM |
pares favoraDly with that of any other |
city in the Union. The children Of every |
part of the city have equal aud ample |
facilities for education. The schools are
carefully graded.
The Public Library, placed upon free
basis during the past year, is worthy OBJ
iect of our announcement and support
Private generosity alone has made this
great institution possible, and both our
public and our selfish interest exact from
us the small appropriation annually re-
quired for II.
The sanitation Of tue city is ii, excellent
hands and the community is absolutely
protected SO far as human care and intelli-
genee can guard against the inyidious III
roads of contagious or infectious diseases.
II costs New Castle county TT least II
cents per dollar 10 collect its taxes, while
Wilmington pays only two cents per
dollar for the same service. This extra
community that a system of tax paying,
such as holds in Philadelphia. where the
city and county taxes are collected iii
single office aud by one man would save
to us annually thousands OF dollars.
Too much praise cannot be accorded our
lire department Wilmington has adhered,
and wisely, to the volunteer system, and
so long as the present efficiency is main
tanned no one will be found to ask Tor
change.
Had your honorable body been empow-
| cred this year to make appropriations, UNI
trammGled by unwise and meddlesome
legislation, for all Of the various depart
| ments of the city, there is no doubt that
4 the tax rate for 1894 could have been re-
duced at least 20 per centum, or to the
rate of Sl.20 per 800.
THE SUSPENSION OF THE DELAWARE.
Requesting Mr.. Tyre to preside Presi-
dent Perkins descended to the floor for
the purpose of discussing the suspen-
sion of the Delaware Fire Company. He
moved that Il committee of three be APP
pointed to investigate the alleged riot
Gus and disorderly conduct of the com
pany and to ascertain in what conii-
ton the officers of the Fire Department
were Wednesday. He contended that
Council has u right to institute an in
vestigation because the fire companies
receive appropriations from Council.
He believed in upholding the chief en-
gineer. He was not attempting to de.
iend the Delaware, he said, but was en-.
deaYoring ID secure a thorough inyesti-
CATION. The suspension of the com.
pany, he added, would be felt by the
city.
iIr. Smith directed attention to sec.
, ton Of the ordinance for the further
reorganization Of tile department and
contended that two companies woulG
. have to prefer charges against the OIL
, GERS before their condition could be in
: qulred into.
: Mr.. Stats referred Council to the ac
/ authorizing the department to elect it
l officers and declared ,the chief engines
: and his assistants are not creatures o
t Council. He thought there should b.
passed an ordinance which would Civ
7 Council Jurisdiction in the matter ik,
the one then under consideration. Tn,
t existing ordinance, he asserted, give
i the Chief engineer authority to suspend
all the companies be sees lit.
Mr. Ratledge argued that there SHOULD
i be an investigation for the satisfaction
/ OF the citizens. He reminded Council
that the Delaware is the only hook AM
): ladder company in the city and aske,
$, what could be done il fire should breai
out in the Equitable Building, the Clay
# ton House or some other high editic
& while the company is suspended. ii
IS thought it Is Il serious condition q
It affairs.
d Mr.. Dannenberg hoped the motto
l. would not be adopted. lie believed i
s. maintaining the dignity OF the office {
IS chief engineer. He went to several fire
II Wednesday and saw that the IRENE
10 were not disposed TO obey the chlef. II
I, contended that companies must pre-
fer charges against that official betoi
n. Council could inquire into his condition
Or President Perkins asserted that I'll
Or chief engineer did not know what to
De during the alleged riot. The chief, NJ
y Perkins declared, went TO u man an
az asked him what he would do. AS
re- member of the Delaware, Mr.. Pcrkir
he continued, he demanded an investig
IN ton. Mr.. DannenDcrg, he asseverate
be is member OF another company al
re therefore did not want an investigation
~ Ii there was to be an investigate
- Mr. Staats argued, all the compani
= present ut the time in question shou
= be included.
MIR. o. Neill said formal charges Dug
to be presented. II the Delaware su
ad iered from the suspension it could al
ID. for IN investigation.
MIR. McNulty felt sorry for the con
on pany but he did not think Council cou
nd do anything. The ordinance won
nd have to be repealed before Counc
X could act.