Evening journal., 1897-03-19


one of-the commissioners read it. and
explain the most vital points. This
was agreed to and Mr.. Rossell was Sc
lectel to oxpound the charter.
Mr.. Rossoll called attention to re-
strictions of Office holders Section 10
ays."Any officer. who, in any way, pro
ceeding or transaction IN which the cor
poratiOn may be interested shall So
llcit, demand or receive for himself. or
for another, from any firm, money, Of
fee, appointment or thing of value, Of
personal advantage to himself, or with
hold his vote or influence In considera-
tiCn Of such payment of promised
money he shall be guilty of q misde-
meanor and shall never again hold of
flee in this state. Mr. Rossell said that
This is cne Of the best clauses in the
proposed charter. Applause followed
the reading.
The next section taken no was that
nf the first city election held under the
provisions of the act of Council. pro-
vided i'm the new charter The clause
provides that twelve members of Coun-
ell shall be chosen, six to serve for a
term of four years, and six to serve for
a term Of two years. and the said per-
sons receiving the highest number of
votes at said election shall be declared
duly elected for term of four years
and the six persons receiving the next
highest number of votes shall be de-
clared elected for a term of two years
There was a long discussion over this
clause, and several different motions
were made to change it. Mr.. Rossell
referred to the present power of COun-
Gil, saving that it was restricted to such
an extent that it could only make few
/ appointments. but under the new char
ter it would be clothed with full legis-
| lative power This clause, said Mr..
Rossell is one of the most important in
! the charter. and it should receive due
consideration as such. He said he had
questioned prominent politicians re-
garding this clause. and from every
source 1t met with approval It was
thought that the best men would be
secured for office and ward politics
avoided.
A. d. Warner wanted to know If
Council were to be a non-partisan body
Mr.. Rossell replied that it would be
neither partisan nor non-partisan. as
no political power would be invested in
Council. Mr.. Rossell was in favor Of
the section standing as it reads.
Mr.. Warner said 1t might prove g
GOOD thing, but it was his opinion il
would make Council a political body.
w. T. Alexander asked how Council
could elect a chairman if it were t'
comprise six Democrats and six Re
Dublicans. "If you give one party mor'
representation than the other he said
lit would cause jealousy. What W.
have now is the best. A man living II
the Tenth ward will not go to the coun
Gilman from the Second ward and asl
For legislation. Each ward should hav
, its own representation.
1 Harold Sudell, the New Castle Singl
. Taxer. said he was in favor of uropOI
4 Honal representation of Council Tha
q New Castle is considering a new char
e ter. and if the proportional system wer
in vogue in Wilmington it might brin
{ good results in New Castle. He re
ferred to the free list system Of election
in use in foreign countries.
Mr. Rossell replied that the commits
sion had considered the proportions
system and found it would not do.
2 MIR. RCssell said he was not very wei
I versed in the system. but said he wa
q not in favor Of it, Mr. Sudell said b
would explain it, but Mayor Jefleris oil
iected. saving: I'VE are discussing
system as proposed by the commission
/. and not some other system. Tn
= mavor's objection was sustained
p. T. Candy wanted to know VIII
. would appoint the election officers. MI
y Rossell replied that it was to be don
Z | by q non-partisan board Of four men
= hers. Mr.. ROssell drew attention
U the clause which states that The mayC
. may be removed from office for wifi
Q violation of his duties. but only by
u = two-thirds vote of City Council. Thei
~ were 10 objections to this clause, and
~ was passed.
?, Councilman Smith thought it We
y not right to give all of the apppoin
i ments into the hands of the mayor. ="
y this charter is for the people. let u
" people rule" he said. "and not the pol
- ticians. Our departments are no
free from politics, and let them renal
so. To do away with the present sy
E tenn would bring about a great chanl
'e in regulating the appointments to o
fee"
)t Mr.. Rossell explained the article ,
N taxes and assessments, which provid
re for a board of four assessors to NAL
l. a report every four years. Should Il
'e board assess a property too much, 3
appeal can be made to the city com
ie troller and city treasurer.
a. A. ID. Warner and Peter J. Ford spOl
on the provisions regarding the amen
Oh ments to the new charter and urg
Or that ell amendments to the chart
We should be in the form of petition al
lg signed by hundred reputable either
s. Isaac T. Johnson spoke on the Z
lg for cOlcred schools. and suggest
e. that all white and colored schoC
We should be taxed the same.
The question of electing councilm
or was again taken up. and F. S. Gore,
s. Z. Hawkins and Fred Eden Bach ma
a speeches.
r. It was finally proposed to adopt I
m resolutions offered by Mr.. Thatchl
and the meeqting adjourned. The mel
/; bers Of the Legislature and membe
Of the press were afterward entertain
Sc at supper by Josiah Marvel.
TIE LEGISLATIVE PARTY.
al In the legislative party were: Sen
mt tors Pyle. w. T. Moore, Meredith a
,te Harrington. Representatives EliasC