Evening journal., 1897-10-20
EOSSELL ON THE CHARTER.
HE ADDRESSED A MEETING OF
CITIZENS LAST NIGHT.
PAID HIS RESPECTS TO THELOBBY
AND THEN WENT INTO THE
MERITS OF THE BILL PRE-
PARED BY THE COMMISSION.

AND THEN WENT INTO THE
MERITS OF THE BILL PRE-
PARED BY THE COMMISSION.
The new charter for the city, formu-
lated by the Municipal Commission and
defeated by the State Senate last May
received new life at a meeting of citi-
zens in the Board of Trade rooms last
evening. City Soliticor Conrad pre-
sided. and introduced John S. Rossell.
secretary of the commission, VINO made
such an excellent speech that he was
frequently interrupted by applause,
and at the conclusion of his remarks |
vote of thanks was, on motion OF Al
fred Gawthrop given him for the in
terest he had displayed in the eity's
welfare.
Mr.. Rossell said that the Municipal
Commission had worked diligently, !
perseveringly and intelligently in devel-
oping the questions that came up. Thel
members worked in perfect harmony
to prepare such a charter as would en-
able the people safely. wisely and eco
nomically to manage their own affairs.
He reviewed the disposition Of the char
ter by the State Senate and called par
ticular attention to the fact that four
senators declined to vote Commenting
on this he said I'VE cannot get away
from the suspicion, at least, that there
must have been back OF these senators
a motive hostile to the people of Will
mington. They must have been moved
! by some unseen influence. They are
reasonable men, honest men, and
should not be susceptible TO ulterior in
nuenoes." He explained that the lobby
was against the charter from the mo
ment il appeared at Dover, and was
confident that the four senators took
their course under the apprehension
that If the charter were granted it
would have an influence upon the whole
state.
j He explained the difference between
the charter OF a municipal corporation
and private corporation, declaring
that the greatest danger that threatens
i government is the corruption IN cities
He did not speak of men but Of
\ methods. In nearly every department
Of this municipality there are evidences
i OF Capitalization. Our Police Depart
\ ment is dependent upon its preserva-
Il tion by appointment made by state
i Judge The Water Department has it's
i existence and had it's origin in an act Of
people, with absolute power to do what
it wants, coming in an indirect way
with the people. The Street and Sewer
Department has absolute control over
the stretes and sewers and the tremcn-
dous power to grant franchises.
II He called attention to a few PROPOSE
tions in the new charter, the first in re-
spect TO City Council 1t provides that
I Council shall be the sole legislative
body OF the city, and that the Street and
Sewer Department shall not have the
power to regulate streets and highways
) and the Water Department shall not have
Z power byresOlutiun tc raise or lower the
: water rents, but it shall be passed upon
2 by the people in Council assembled. Mr.
. Rossell thought he had a joke upon a
e. friend. who argued that deadlock
= would result with a Council OF six Re-
e publicans and six Democrats, but now
e when there are thirteen members there
y is deadlock, not between the Demo-
Gratis and Republicans, but with the
4 Democrats.
S In electing the members at large the
!. people would not secure men who would
s meet as parties, but as citizens tC
b. transact business. Mr.. Rossell spoke Of
Council being the judge of the election
and qualification OF its own member:
and other elective officers of the city
, The objection to this was that the pro
! vision was improper, when courts are
established, which can more readily
, Judge and determine such matters, anC
prevent the seizing OF the control o
Council almost by brute force.
The election of councilmen at large
would bring forth the proper men to b'
. placed on the ticket. and If necessary
there would be a citizens ticket, as il
/; New York The present system is objec
tionable, because it is the ward system
and man naturally is bound by his
constituents, whereas n he were elect
I, ed at large he would be the servant o
? the whole people.
Mr.. Rossell spoke Of proportiona
representation. by which each pre-
scribed quota of voters would he enti
tied to representative, and It wOul'
- doubtless give greater opportunity fcI
a independent voting. The results o
= equal representation we're explained b.
: the speaker.
v other advantageous features of thu
n bill were dealt with logically and for
chilly in his closing remarks.