Evening journal., 1897-02-26
NEW WILMINGTON!
1t Will Be Local SeleGOv-
ernment on July 4.
PROVISIONS OF CHARTER
The Instrument Was Taken to
Dover To-day.
PROVISIONS OF CHARTER

ASSEMBLY-COM DE
CLARE THEY HAVE CONSTRUCT
ED THE NEW ORGANIC LAW
FROM DATA AND ADVICE RE
CEIVED FROM THE BEST MU-
NICIPAL AUTHORITIES IN THE
UNITED STATES-MAYOR'S EX-
ECUTIVE POWERS RESTORED.
SALARY RAISED TO So, ,OOO-HEADs
OF DEPARTMENTS TO GET $4,000.
CIVIL SERVICE IN MUNICIPAL
AFFAIRS.
The commission appointed and or
ganized, under and by virtue OF an act
passed by the General Assembly Of Del
aware on April "a, 1895, to consider the
question of municipal government so
far as it relates to the city Of Whining
ton, went to Dover this morning to sub
NIT the following report:
Alfred D. Warner. one Of the commits
sioners named in the aforesaid act, re-
signed at the organization of the com
mission, owing to pressing business
engagements. and Frank Pyle was ap-
pointed to fill his place.
Permanent organization of the com
mission was effected by the selection of
Daniel w. Taylor as chairman and
John S. Rossell as secretary.
DATA FROM LIVE CITIES.
A vast amount of data relating to
the government of ether cities was
obtained through the courteous assist
ance of the chief officers of said cities,
and the commission was thus enabled
to study the various municipal systems
in operation in the United States. The
commission most gratefully asknowl-
edges these favcrs and desires to refer
also, in this connection. to the kline
treatment and valuable help received
from the officials of Wilmington. who
responded promptly to every request
for information required in the course
of its work
DIVORCED FROM POLITICS.
After a most thorough investigation
of the question referred to it by youi
honorable body, the commission is Of
the opinion that efficient and econOmi.
cal local government for the inhabi-
tants of Wilmington can be obtained
only through management chosen by
and directly responsible to the people
divorced, as far as possible, from party
politics
The commission has, therefore, pre-
pared and submits herewith as part o.
its report, bill providing for the re
incorporation of the city and the re
organization Of the city government OF
strictly home rule lines, free from th'
dangers Of corrupting political inhu
ences.
BY the provisions Of this bill TIT
dominant political party is prevente'
from securing preponderating contro
Of the city's affairs, and the corpora
ton, while clothed with plenary pow
ers Of government, is rigidly restricte'
in the exercise of every privilege in
volving the vital interests of the peo
pie.
Every possible safeguard is throw
around the expenditure of public fund
and the severest penalties are pre-
scribed for the punishment of unfaith
ful officers and their guilty abettors.
COUNCIL MAY EXTEND LIMITS.
The power to extend the limits of tn
city. now reserved to the General AS
sembiy. is vested in the Council, as tn
most competent body to decide a mai
ter of strictly local significance; bu
with a limitation upon Council tina
precludes the possibility CT injustic
to the inhabitants of the territory an
nexed.
The debt-creating power, heretofor
exercised only under specific legislatiy
sanction, is given to the corporation
subject to the ultimate approval OF tn
qualified voters of the city, TO Who'll
rightfuIy belongs the final settlemer
of a question so far reaching in IT'S IT
duence upOn the material prosperity {
the whole people.
The corporation is empowered 10 pr'
vide for lighting the streets OF the eli
and supplying the inhabitants wit
lights. Ii is not supposed that IN
power will be exercised speedily, but
is necessary to the perfect organic
: ticn of a modern municipality an
should be exercised whenever an e'
igency requiring it arises. lnvestig'
/ tion has shown that in well governe
h cities lighting is a prominent featur
= and is conducted by the municipal co
S, poration with great advantage an
II profit to the people
,, y DILAPIDATED CITY HALL.
II The erection and maintenance
If public buildings needful for the prop
d transaction of the city's business, al
70 for the care of those who may con
IS under its charge. have been provid.
( for. The dilapidated condition Of u
n. City Hall will call for an early exerci
of this power.
le Bridges and viaducts within the limi
is OF the city may be placed under q
control CT the corporation and SUI
plans adopted for their constructs
and maintenance AS Council may a
I'd prove. This is regarded as very II
,e portant provision in view OF the da
g srltI tIssfa