Evening journal., 1897-04-01
NEWS OF NEW CASTLE.
WANT THE CHARTER
Spirited Speeches Made For
New Castles New Constitution
ITY SOLICITOR COOPER IS HURT.

DECLARED HE HAS BEEN DIS
COURTEOUsLY IGNORED IN THE
MATTER OF DRAWING UP Al
NEW CHARTER FOR A NON
RESIDENT.
New Castles much h-talked-of new
charter, with several slight amend
ments, was adopted unanimously by
citizens meeting last night. City
Council and about fifty leading tax
payers were present. w. w. Cooper,
of Council, presided. Peter L. Cooper,
Jr., appeared to explain the details Of
the charter. Some considerable oppo-
sition to the charter in It's original
shape developed. but it dwindied to
nothingness after the amendments were
discussed and passed upon favorably
A. B. Cooper, appearing as a citizen
and not in official capacity, contended
that the charter was Imperfectly
drawn, and it's adoption would create
trouble and confusion He spoke gem
orally for ten minutes, when he was
asked by the chair to be more specific,
and If he objected file his objections. A
b. Cooper, being thus interrupted, re-
/ fused to talk further, outside of re-
/ ierring to the ignoring Of himself by
! City Council when they were drawing
up the charter He said he should
have been consulted, he being city So
/ licitor
Trustee Edward Challenger favored
reform i'm municipal government, and
said that the old charter contained too
many deficiencies for this age.
L. i. Eliason opposed the new char
! ter. Israel Ridings opposed certain
sections unless they were made more
plain Seven thousand dollars, he held,
was excessive as a general taxation.
=. L. Cooper. Jr.. explained that ST.
600. instead of $4,000, was provided for
because 1t was anticipated that the
town would grow The tax rate. he
said, was not touched on in the char
ter That was to be fixed as before, by
Council
In response to the query of an objec-
tor. =. l.. Cooper said the tax rate for
school purposes was provided for in
special act and not in the charter,
same as heretofore.
Captain Ridings moved to change
section thirty-seven to read $4,000 gen
eral taxation instead of $1,000. An
amendment was offered by J. A. Walls
making IL $4,000, but motion and
amendment were beth lost, and amount
stands $1,000, as originally.
Mr.. EliasOn claimed that too much
power Is vested In Council by section
twenty-nine. I'VE should go to the
LEGISLATURE - said he, "fOr our power &c
pave streets. buy expensive lle appa.
} ratus and build water-works.
j. A. Walls said IL was all right, as
the people OF New Castle could b'
, trusted to place the right kind OF mel
: I'm Council thus doing away with ga,
E habit ct going before the Legislature
to set the right TO spend money.
Mr. Eliason said that 10y section for
, ty-hve Council could pave all streets
} with asphalt at the the expense OF tax
) payers
p. L. Cooper said all such expense
3 could come out of $1,000, ,ne genera
fund. He suggested an amendment il
= order to make it plain that the expense
, of all street paving should be paid ou
of the general fund The motion wa
/ carried.
2 he clause relating TO ministers pro
E hibited from holding public office wa
objected to by John Thompson ant
E others but a motion to strike it Gu
was lost
{ Mr.. Walls claimed the exemption
law was not specific, but the charte
o. was amended so that Council will de
r. eide what manufacturing establish
ments are exempt and what are not.
o Brief and spirited speeches wer
e made in favor of the whole charter b
H. a. Dennis0n, Edward Challenge
- Mayor Boyd. George NJ. Riley. r. L
y Harrington and G. w. Eokles.