Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1897-03-04

Following is the report Of The com |
misslon appointed 10 consider the ques' |
ti6n OF municipal government SO Tar
as il relates to the city OF Wilmington.
To tie Honorable, the General As
sembly Of the State of Delaware: The |
commissipn appointed and Organized. |
under and by virtue OF an act passed BY |
your honorable body, April 18th. ls9o,:
to consider tbs question OF munieipai
goysrnmEnt 80 far as it relates 10 the |
city OF Wilmington. respectfully sub
Elits the following report:
Alfred ID. Warner, one OF the COM
missioners named IN the aforesaid act,
resigned at the organization of the
commission, owing to pressing business
engsRemer;s, aud Flank Pyle was ap.
pointed to Bill his place.
Pcrmaneut Organization of the com
| missionwas effected By the selection OF
I Daniel W. Taylor as chairman ard
| John s.. Rossesl as secretary.
| 4 vast amount of data relating TO the
| government OF other citi6s was obtained
/ through the courteous assistance of the
chief officers of said cities, and the com
| mission was tEGR enabled TO stuiy the
various municipal systems IN operation
| 10 tho United States. The commission
HItJs% BIdtpll4Ar tAEnI
fayufs aud desires TO refer also, IN this
connection, 10 the kied treatment and
valuable help received from the officials
OF Wilmington, who responded
promptly 10 every request for informa
tiun required in toe course OF its work.
fter most thorough investigation
Of the question referred to 1t by your
honorable body, ihn commission is of
the opinion that efficient ari ecGaGml'
cal local cOyaTnuent for the inheni-
tants OF Wilmington can be obtained
only through management chosen by
end directly Responsible to the people,
divorced. ms far as possible, from party
poi tea
The commission has, therefore, pre-
raseI and submits herewith as part OF
its report, bill providing for the rein
corporation of tue city and the reor-
gani2ation OF the city government IN
strictly home rule lines. free from the
dangers of corruptlng political intln-
! encea.
By the provisions OF this bill the
,, dominant political party is prevented
from securing preponderating control OF
tho cits's aifairs, and the corporation.
while clothed with plenary powers of
. government. is rigidly restricted in tho
:. the vital interests OF the people.
Every possible safeguard is thrown
around tie expenditure Of public funds
] ana the severest penalties are IRE.
: srribed for the punishment OF unfaith-
: full officers and their guilty ahettors.
The power to extend tho limits OF the
city, now reserved TO the General AS
= semby, ie vested in the Council as thu
:. most compptent body 10 decide mat
: ter of strictly local significance; bu
y with limitation upon Council tina
!, precludes tho possibility of injustice t.
;. tho inhabitants Of the territory an
q nexed.
+ TIE dsbt creating power, heretofori
i exercised only upder specific legisla
! tive sanction, is given to tho corpora
ton, subject to the ultimate approya
OF the qualified voters OF the city, II
whom rightfuliy belongs the final set
Element OF question SO far reaching il
its influences upon the material pros
perity OF the whole people.
The corporation Is empowered to pro
dis vida for lighting the streets of tine cit
and Huppiying tho inhabitants witt
lights. 1t 10 not supposed that thi
ID power will be exercised speedily. but
r il necessary to the perfect organization
of modern municipality and shnul
az be exercised Whenever an exigency re
10 auiring il arises. Investigation ha
n shown that in well governed cite
u lighting is prominent feature and
eS r6ntiuctedby the municipal corporatio
NJ With great advantage ana profit to th
On people
aH The erection and maintenance oil. pu!
Fy lie buildings nsedful for the prop,
OF transaction OF tho city's business, an
I'M for the care of those who may con
ea under its charge, have been provided TO
III The dilapidated condition OF the Gil
" Hall will call for az early exercise
y this power.
", Bridges and yiaduets within Il
~ limits Of the city may be placed uni
'e- the control of the corporation and sue
We plans adopted for their construction 81
maintenance as Council may approx
70 This is regarded as very importa
III provision in view OF the dangerous co
dition of not few railroad crossin
in constant use by the people.
ma Tho legislative powor, which ind
ses. the present charter OF the city, is d
Ma viled between the Council and ii
tns several departmental boards, is ful
Inc restored to Council.
The appointing power, now vest
,,r. partly in tho Council, largely in Il
various boards, and only to smi
extent in tho mayor, is restored to Il
executive branch of the municipal go
al ernment
aw The responsibility for the proper n
OF miuistratinn of the affairs Of the corr
to ration is placed upon the Mayor.
m is empowered to appoint the heads
im the executive departments and L
members OF the executive boards
said departments, who. in turn, are
spnnsible TO him.
al The Council alone is authorized to
'ee the number and compensation OF t
'ar- subordinate officers, CLERKS and el
nc, ployes 10 10 engaged in each depai
Iuent. The appointment of such oilicel
clerks and employees is loft to an a
vaory board, under modified eli
cen service. The creation of useless ofllt
and and the naymeur of exccsgivn saiari
an are thus rendered imprRctcahIe, VIII
the selection OF the most compete
persons for tho various subordinl
ara, positions is reasonably assured.
'on- The heads OF departments are
Iuired TO aitend sessions of the Coun
. and are entitled to seats in that hos
g hut without the right to vote. II
e executive and Legislative branches
~ the city government will. in this WI
y be brought into close communicate
IL With tha result, it is 10 hs hoped, II
~ the business OF tbs corporation will
r conducted With greater harmony.
r. Provision ia mazda fnr mora cr