Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1897-11-18
Its Provisions Explained by
Commissioner Rossell.
ENTHUSIASTIC CITIZENS MEETING
Was Held in Fahey's Hall Last
Tuesday Evening.


CITY CuHTIbft TeCtuJils uEAltui W LUZ
Municipal Comm ission. Philip II. Shea.
executive officer Of the Board OF Health,
presided. lie introduced Municipal
Commissioner John S. Rossell, who ex-
planned the chief features of the draft
presented to the Legislature at its last
session.
Mr.. Rossell said Wilmington was en-
titled TO the very best municipal gov
eminent, and with that end in view the
Legislature had appointed the MuDici
pal COMMISSIONERS, who had exerteti
themselves with view to giving gov
eminent that would be credit and
benefit to tho city.
The pruDosed charter has for it's OBJ.
ject the restoration of popular govern.
mant. II democracy ia 10 live in this
country the germs must be kent alive
in our municipalities Municipal in
situations are to liberty what primary
schools are to science
A country can establish popular
government, but without the cn.opora-
lion Of Municipalities there will be no
spirit Of freedom.
Make your lava wisely and provide
methods Of government so that the
people can express themselves. That ia
the basis upon which this charter was
built.
"Make your laws wisely and provide
methods OF government 30 that the
people can express themselves. These
are no. my words, he said, hut the
words Of that great leader, Millium
Jennings bryan, in hia Dover speech.
| This charter proposes the election OF
IL Councilman, unhamperei by ward
| l,ur f,xp II, -
legislation for the whole people. A
purely democratic principle is govern
men by the whole people, for the whole
people. 1t hHH been provided that this
| Council Of ~ members at large would
legislate only would exercise no execu
tive functions; but would have power
over the executive; would have tho
power to impeaoh the mayor or remove
heads of departments with the conse MT
of the mayor. The proposed charter
OF appeals in all matters of assess-
| thirds vote, with the consent of the
mayor the right to grant franchises in
the city.
The whole executive authority is
lodged in the mayor. The fran ers of
1
selection by the people OF a man for
mayor competent to fill this important
post a man who would gee that every
dollar taken from the pockets Of the
people would ha properly applied.
The four executive departments pro,
lided by the char ter are, first, tbs De.
partment of Public Works, having
charge OF all Of the work now done
by the Street ard Sewer and Water
Departmsnt5. A new feature provides
that eight hours shall constitute a full
days work, with the pay for full day.
l found in my investigation that in tine
city of London not only are the hours
limited, but that men who have served
lifetime faithfully are rensioned.
London gets better service from this
plan.
The Department of Public Works is
to be controlled by director, who ahall
be responsible to the mayor for tho
work done in his department..
Then there is the Department oil
Public Safety, presided over by d
director appointed by the mayor and
responsible to him. This department
includes the Police and Health De.
partments and the Fire Department &C
far as il is responsible to the city. The
new charter contemplates the retention
Of the Police and Fire Departments,
as now constituted. They could not he
improved upon. They are more efficient
than ever before.
Then there is Department Of Claims.
In that department will BIO board oil
ASSESSORS, whose only incentive will he
to make fair assessment. A new as.
Bessment must be made every four years
and revision of the assessment each
year. The controller will be the acting
mayor in the absence Of ths mayor and
is to succeed to the office in the event
of this death Of the mayor
The fourth department is the Depart
ment of Receipts and Disbursements
where all moneys are to be paid ana all
moneys paid out by the city are to be
paid by that department.
There is nearly 5000, 600 raised by
taxation expended annually, and it is
My right that the people should know
just how that money ie Hpont.
Under the present system there ie nc
way Of ascertainlng readily how every
dollar of taxes ia applied. What yoI
are entitled to is minute statement
given through the ordinary public
channel. the newspapers. Each de-
partment publishes book annually,
but the people ought not to be put Il
the trouble Of applying for those books
Tho city is authorized TO prorii,
for the erection and maintenance oil
public libraries. This may not striK,
you as very important. but it is
know OF a library with about sol
Volumes which have been read over anC
over again. This library is teaching ;
great many people. Let the city plac,
in each public school library for th,
use of the pupils there and tho people il
the vicinity. Elsewhere libraries arr
provided and are beneficial.
The real issue is: Are you ready fol
home ruler More than 10 yeaFa ago yol
lost your political liberty. The estab
! lishment Of the various commission
was a blow ar your personal liberty
Uneas you are ready, better, say, tina
you let the present system stand.
Why did not this charter pass wheI
! ii was submitted to the Legislature
1t did not pass because a sutiicien
number of members did not think yoi
were capable of sslf.povernment
Mr.. Rossell condemned tina lobby fv
the stand taken against the proposed
| charter.
[ The cause OF batter government 70
, Wilmington, he said, apreals to all goo'
citizens, Democrats and Republican
alike. 1t 10 to partisan aud fRctiona
feeling that you eau attribute the stat
1 of affairs to-day. j hope the civil
I spirit has been revived and that yo
! are ready TO discharge the receivera-
the comm issions =. and resume bust
nsss at the City Hall.
believe the adoption of the charte
0 will be followed by tho very best results
At thu conclusion of the addreaa th