Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1896-11-26

appointed by the Governor. The quail
fication Of all administrative officials
should be determined by special train
ing, efficient service, or periodical
tests (examinations). Civil service re-
form should be Incorporated in the
Constitution, providing for civil
service based on competitive exami
nation as to fitness to insure competent
and faithful officials in all State,
county, and local Offices appointive.
The compensation of State and county
officials is fixed by the State Legisla-
ture. The surety or security OF the
State is made good by oath or affirma-
tion at the inauguration into office and
tho requirement. of bonds according to
the responsibility of the office.
1t is recognized principle of our
Constitutional law that powers not
clearly defined in the United States
Constitution as belonging to tho
national government are reserved to
the States respectively. aud the national
powers of government are therefore TO
be construed strictly. The same tost
applies to the strict construction of
powers defined in the State Co1stitu-
tion, the sovereign people in their
respective municipalities reserying to
themselves the powers not clearly
granted to the State In the State Con-
stitution. And yet the mast important
need of the people of Wilmington to-
day is the right of local self-govern-
ment. History reveals the fact that
local government is the Oldest form of
government in Delaware. Wilmington
had borough charter dating from
1888 under the reign of King George
III of England, granting that Whining
ton should be one body polite ami
corporate in deed and in name. BY
what authority did she surrender her
inherent rights? The rights of her
people to local self-government by
their own choice should be recognized
accordingly and provision incor-
porated in the new State Constitution
restricting the State Legislature from
interfering by special legislation with
the municipal government and conduct
of municipal affairs Of Wilmington.
The general control of the municinal
affairs should rest with the mayor and
executive departments and council Of
Wilmington. The management Of local
affairs belongs to tho people concerned,
first, because as matter of fact these
affairs are their own affairs, and
second, because they best understand
and are most competent to manage
their own affairs. The continued and
permanent existence of local self
government should bs secured to the
people in all State Constitutions as a
matter of Constitutional right The
industrial as well as political welfare
demands it. The Legislature should
keep hands off of the direct or indirect
control of the municipal affairs of Will
mington and all Stala politics OBJ
liviated from our municipal affairs.
And in regard to local affairs sensi-
BILE people are coming moro and
more to realize that municipal govern
ment should he administered solely
upon business principles quite remote
from politics. The administration of
government and laws depends in
greater measure on the local officials
for execution. The mayor of Whining
ton should be chief executive, in fact
as well as in name, aud responsible for
bis Office to the people whn elect him.
City Council! should legislste for the
city. The various departments of
police, fire, water, health, street and
sewer, surveying, and park should be
executive departments appointed by
and responsible to the mayor and
Council. The city treasurer, auditor,
solicitor, assessors and collectors should
be elected by the people direct, or by
the representatives body of the
people, City Council. City Council
should have authority to borrow the
necessary money for permanent city
Improvement, and public expenditure
can he as carefully guarded and
economically administered in this way.
The use of the city franchise by street
railways, gas and electric light privi-
leges, Nc, should come from the city
direct, the people TO receive the benefit
to he derived from any such concession.
The early State Constitutions but
Eriefiy set forth tho fundamental
notions of government while the later
State Constitutions elaborate more and
more the principles of government like
code. Under the administrative do
partment of government newer pro.
visions are constantly being incor-
porated and tho good Offices of the
State. without encroaching on the
rights of the municipality, are being
extended to greater and greater use
fulness to tho benefit Of the whole
commonwealth. A general supervision
over the health of the inhabitants OF
the State should be kept by State
Board of Health; general State
superintendent of education 10 care
for public education through the
States domain. labor commission
keep general lookout into the CON
dition of free labor and prevent any
encroachmsnts thereon; commissioners
of the poor to look after tho wants of
the deserving needy; commission for
the equalization of taxation; board
OF pardoDs; commissioners for public
lands and works, public institutions
and charities, all embracing general
administrative features under State
government. The State should make
Constitutional provision against mo-
nopoly; provide in like manner for a
general election law to include the
party primaries as we'll; with an etfec-
tive law against bribery and corruption
at elections and the party primaries
provide for well-regulated militia
delaware not excepted provide Tor
the public debt, and sinking fund
for the Stare; provide for equitab
tax laws, applicable to all sections
alike, taxes to be collected; provide
for Incorporation of corporations, and
regulations for railroads, canals, &C. ;
provide for a State census as basis of
representation, the representation not
to be vitiated by gerrymander; and
provide also for insurance, criminal
and prison, and reformatory legislation.
The schedule of Constitution in
cludes the necessary provisions and re-
quirements for putting Constitution
into effect.