Evening journal., 1896-03-14
rhe Two ereat nroremanta-

WumluBbOhs
We speak of the steps which are now
being taken to provide our state with a
new constitution and our city with a
new charter
From state constitution radiste our
executive. judicial and legislative
branches OF government with all Of their
ramlfcatlons and fsr~reaching agencies.
It is the foundation OF everything that
the abiding and peace-lovlng citl
zen holds dear; the warrant OF life,
liberty aud happiness. Such being true,it
is OF prime necessity that the foundation
upon which such weight OF regponsi
bllity rests should be sound in every
part and designed to do the greatest
good for the greatest number
What is true Of state constitution Is
equally true of city charter. It occu-
pies the same relative position, for it
controls the actions of the several de-
pActments Of municipal government and
keeps them within the bounds Of official
safety and decorum.
That Delaware needs a new constitu-
tion no thinking man will deny. Since
the framing Of the one under which we
now live the world has made wonderful
strides in the science of government as
In everything else, and we should not be
so many years behind our sister statos IN
our fundamental law. Our old constitu-
tion has worn we'll, but the time has
come when the people demand a change
and It will only be a short time before
they get it.
Opinions differ as to how radical that
change should be. It's extent will depend
very much upon the personnel Of the
Constitutional Convention. Our Repub.
llcan friends design most sweeping
changes, and propose to do away with
almost every provision now contained in
the constitution framed by John NJ.
Clayton and his colleagues Democrats
are in favor of steps less radical but Just
as effective and more In keeping with
that broad public policy that has ever
characterized their party.
In other words, should the Republicans
secure control Of the convention. they
will make 1t an instrument FOR the ac-
complishment OF partisan ends and the
psrpetuation OF Republican control; while
the Democrats would frame It in such
manner that It would work to the advsn.
tage Of a people, rather than to that Of
political party. AS we have said before,
no idea Of the nature OF the new consti-
tuition can even be surmIsed until It is
known which party win have the making
off
with our new city charter II is differ
ent. We know the men who compose
the Municipal Commission that Is engaged
in framing 1t. They are neither psrti
sans nor ace-seekers. but business men
Of recognized ability, who believe
that a new charter Is essential to
greater Wilmington. and that municipal
sffairs should be conducted on strlot
business principles rather than along
narrow political lines Whatever may
be the product of their labor Of two
years, we may rest assured that 1t will
be the fruit o. honest effort in behalf Of
the people, and not the work Of partiaans
or friends Of psrtlsans.
We believe that II Its recommendations
are rejected by the next General As
sembly it will be due to the sinister
influence Of the practical politician and
partisan. for We know the commissioner
well enough TO feel justified In saying
that they will have no room for Jobs
and pulls" such as we have under our
present charter.
We do not wish 1t to be understood
that we approve q work not yet com
pleted Our words of commendstion are
based upon our knowledge OF the men
who have bssn giving months Of calm
and careful consideration TO the general
outlines and many details Of a most
Important piece Of work Affecting the
interests Of 70,000 men. women and
children, and many millions Of dollars
worth Of property
They have not gone around the city
with brass band, or stood on the
housetops shouting reform There has
been nothing obtruslve about them
Having task TO do and knowing that
they would be held accountable for its
proper performance. they began at the
bottom and proceeded to build upward.
They sent to various parts Of the United
States and secured copies OF the charters
and ordinances of nearly all the pre-
gressive and well governed cities in the
Union. These were carefully studied
with the View OF getting from each
charter it's best provisions and, BY
combining all such good material
gathered. snd modifying It to suit city
Of this size, produce city charter unex'
celled by any in the country.
AS result OF this careful study Of The
various forms OF municipal government
the commissioners have come TO some
conclusions which will find favor with
many persons, but we do not believe that
The politician viii regard all Of then
kindly
Believing that Wilmington is capable
Of irsnsactlng its own business In 9
4 Al