The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-03-19
DISCUSSED THE
CHARTER
Only ore Clause Stricken Out and
the Measure Then Decided
Favorably Upon.

that tho Legislature pass it, The only al.
teration made was to change the quallfich-
ton TO hold an office, and IN the future 1t
will not be necessary for man to be
free holder to BIO elected to any office in
tho city. The charge was made upon the
suggestion of the Single Tax element
which was out in force.
There was u long discussion over the
method OF electing councilman AT large,
but that provision was endorsed in the
sesolution supporting the whole char
4 tnr.
Considerable interest was manifested
Alarge number OF the members of the
! Legislature were present They included
Speaker Harrington, OF tho Senate;
Speaker Riggin, Of the House; Senators
Pyle, Meredith and Moore; Representa-.
tiyes Taylor, Hopkins, Short, Adams
Cheairs, Dayis, Ellason, Whitney Thomp
son, Dempsey and Donaldson; Clerks
Spicer and Doherty: Reading Clerk
Heggeman and Chaplain Vincent Among
the citizens were;
Isaac Z. johnson, John s. Rossell. D.
W. Taylor, w. d. Mullen, Jr., George w.
Bush L. NJ. Hopes Alfred Gawthrop, A.
s d. Warner, Park Engineer Lessen, Will
liam Turner, J, P. Nields, w, +. Kurtz
William Lawton, James Megary, A. S.
Reed, Patrick Neary. C. i. Thomas, l.. b,
Morrow, President Baird of the Board Of
Education. ex.Mayor Shortlidge. Alfred
Belts, John B. Martin. Colonel {. NJ
Leitch, William P. Bancroft, e. L. Haynes
Professor A. H. Berlin, Harold Sudeil, H.
II. Dure, Artenas Smith. 5. IL. Baynard
Street and Sewer Director William A.
Pratt Dennis j. Mention, J. Newlln, Cav
thrup, Edward Andrews, Philip Pluukett
James j. Monaghan, Thomas ratnall.
Josiah Marvel, Samuel Belts, Councilmen
& Meaney Leary, Watson the Rev H. Ash
ton Henry, Councilman Oberley, f. L.
4 Warner, +. L. Candy, George W. Sparks,
President Bay lis Of City Council Coun-
Gilman Stevenson, Samuel Biddlc, Charles
b. Dougherty, Eugene sayers, Council.
man McNulty, Joseph Il. Carpenter, Jr,,
Clerk Morrison, Councilman Smith,
Police Commissioners Lawson and Mona
CHAN Hugh G. Browne, L. h. B.cn,
Chief of Police Dolan, Horace Greeley
Knowles. Ohio Rowland.
President Lawtun Of tho Board OF
Trade called tie meeting to order and
Mayor Jetferis acted rs chairman. Josiah
Marvil was chosen secretary, The first
voice raised was that OF William Koran,
the Single Taxer, who asked why the
CLAUSE making 1t necessary for man TO
b. q free holder before he could hold Office
I had been inserted. Before an answer
could be given Coun5 Gilman Menney also
Submitted the same question whoreupon
MIR. Russell replied that it WIS because
similar provision had b3en Incorporated
! In the old charter. He had no objection,
however, to striking 1t out, therefore it
WAS done.
Rev, H. Ashton Henry thought the pro-
posed measure should not prevent the rs.
election of a mayor. Mr.. RUssCllS reply
was that the clause was in the old charter
and the commissioners thought it wise to
insert 1t in the present ono rs an oXeCu-
i've would have the interest of administer
T, ing affairs of the city in such way 10
insure his re. election. AT this point Albert
Thatcher offered resolution asking that
the Legislature pass the charter, but the
1 resolution was withdrawn as further dis
czission was desired
Upon the suggestion of Deputy At
tOrney General Cooper Mr.. ROssell took
The platform and began ronding various
important parts of the document and
all who had questions to ask were answer
ed. He (Mr. RosSnD first spoke of the
granting of franchises. At present the
city does not receive cent for franchise
IL grants whereas under the new charter
H. could The franchises would DO grant.
! cd by tho people.
They are now granted by lie Street and
Sewer Department while under the new
] charter they will be granted iy the Conn'
Gil and the Council elected by the people.
He also spoke about bonding the city and
told how every ordinance to issue bonds
would have TO be endorsed by Il majority
Of the voters, Great applause greeted this
provision. He also told how the now
charter restricted the officers and provided
for their punishment Tor any Violation OF
the trust rrposcd in them by the voters.
Mr.. Resell referred to the present pow.
4 er of Council, saying hat it was restricted
to making n fow,appUinLments. Under the
new chqrlciit will have full Legislative
puwe and G III appoint its own Officers.
K The cOuncjlmcn will be elected Mt large
Z 81. /