The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-02-26
REPORT OF THE
c0MMlS Sl0N
On Greater wilmingto on and to
Provide tor the Better Govern
ment oil the City:

Heht VI eiiS Sieys
The bill entitled an act 10 alter and no
establish the charter of the city Of viii.
mington, and to provide for the better
Government of said city was introduced
in the House OF Representatives at Dover
to-day. The commission appointed by the
last Legislature to consider the question of
Municipal Government SO far as 1t relates
to the city Of Wilmington says In present.
ing the bill:
sThe com mission appointed and organ;
iced, under and by virtue Of an act passed
by your honorable body, April "a, 1896, to
consider the question Of municipal gov
eminent SO far as 1t relates to the city OF
Wilmington, respectfully subm Its the
following report:
ALFRED d. Warner one Of the COM
missloners named In the aforesaid act, re-
signed at the organization Of the commits.
sion owing to pressing business engage
ments, and Frank Pyle was appointed DO
fill his place.
Permanent organization was effected by
the selection Of Daniel w. Taylor as
chairman and John s. Rossell Us secre-
tary.
A vast amount of data relating to the
Government Of other cities was obtained
through the courteous assistance OF the
chief officers of said cities and the COM
various municipal systems in operation
in the United States. The Commission
most gratefully acknowledges these favors
and desires to refer also, in this connect
ion to the kind treatment and valuable
help received from tho officials Of Will
mington who responded promptly toevery
request for Information In the course OF
its work.
After a most thorough investigation of
the question referred to 1t by your Honor
able Body, the Commission is of the
opinion that efficient and economical local
government for the inhabitants OF Will
mington can be obtained only through
management chosen by and directly re-
sponsible to the people, divorced, as far rs
possible, from party politics:
The Commission has, therefore, pre-
pared and submits herewith as part of it's
report, Bill providing for the reincor-
poration of the City and the reorganization
Of the City government on strictly home
rule lines, free from the dangers OF cor.
rupting political influences.
By the provisions OF this Bill the domi-
nant political party is prevented from
securing prepondorating control OF the
city's affairs, and the corporation. while
clothed with plenary powers of govern
ment, Is rigidly restricted in the exercise
Of every privilege involving the vital In
terests of the people
Every possible safe guard Is thrown
| around the expenditure OF public funds
| and the sevcreiG penalties are prescribed
| for the punishment OF unfalthful officers
| and their guilty abettors.
| The power to extend the limits OF the
| city, now reserved to the General Assem-
| bly, is vested in the council, MS the most
| competent body TO decide matter Of
| strictly local signifcance; but with n
| limitation upon council that precludos the
| possibility OF injustice to the inhabitants
of the territory annexed.
| The debt.creatin Z power, heretofore OK
| ercised only under specific legislative
sanction, is given to the corporation, sub
| ject to the ultimate approval of the quail
| fled voters of the city, to whom rightfuliy
| belongs the flaal settlement Of a question
so far reaching in its influence upon the
material prosperity of the whole people.
The corporation is empowered to pro-
vide for lighting the streets of the City
and supplying the Inhabitants with lights
1t is not supposed that this power will
be exercised speedily. but it is necessary
to perfect organization Of modern mu-
nicipality and should be exercised when
ever an exgency requiring it arises. In
yestigation has shown that in we'll gov
erned cities lighting Is prominent feature
and is conducted by the municipal corpC-
ration with great advantage and profit to
the people.
The erection and maintenance of public
buildings needful for the proper trans
action Of the City's business, and for the
care of those who may come under its
charge, have been provided for. The d.
lapidated condition Of the City Hall will
call for IN early exercise of this power
Bridges and viaducts within the limits
of the city may be placed under the con-
troll Of the corporation and such plans
| u,lp tbpir .
tenance as Council may approve. This Is
regarded as very important provision in
view of the dangerous condition of not u
few railroad crossings in constant use by
the people.
The legislative power. which under the
present charter of the City, is divided be-
tween the Council and the several depart
mental boards, is fully restored to Coun.
Gil.
Tho appointing power, now vested
partly in the Council, largely in the
various boards, and only to small ex
tent in the Mayors, is restored to the OK
ecutive branch Of the municipal govern
mCnt.
The responsibility for the proper admin
istraton Of the affairs of the corporation is
placed upon the Mayor. He is empowered
to appoint the heads of the executive dc.
partments and the members OF the execu'
tive boards in said departments, who, IN
turn, are responsible to him.
The Council alone is authorized to fix
the number and compensation Of the sub
ordinate officers, clerks and employees to
be engaged in each department.. The ap-
pOntmcnt of such officers clerks and chi
Ioycs, is left TO an Advisory Board under
Il modified civil service,
The creation of useless officers and the
payment of excessive salaries are thus
rendered impracticable, while the selection
OF the most competent persons for thu
various subordinate positions is REASONABLE.
assured.
The heads of departments are required
to attend sessions of the Council and ar
, omitted to seats in that body, but without
; the right to vote. The Executive ant
! Legislative branches of the city govern
, ment WILL in this way, be brought into
close communication with tho result, it i
: to be hoped and the business of the corpor
alton will be conducted with create
harmony. -. -
Provision is made for moro complet
and equitable assessment of real estate b.
placing it under the control of specil
board having no other duty to perform
| and not identified except in this particula
work with the administration of the cit
government. Those who may feel as
1 grieyrd by the valuation placed on thci
property have the right Of final appeal t
/ council.
The capitation tax, heretofore Collecte
J. almost entirely from the owners of RET
I estate, will not be eXucted from any one
the proposed bill should become a law
: The ancient, unjust and wholly inoperi
:. tive provision for the arrest and imprisoI
1 mcnt of delinquent tax payers found i
l. the present charter, is not embraced i
, this bill
:, An uninterrupted administration b
Il the same officials for four wears is ten