Evening journal., 1898-04-12

ether Of the leading political parties.
Cf course everyone understands that
this means that the spOils system shall
continue in vogue, and that the Offices
shall be parcelled out as a reward Tor
party services. There can be 10 just
government under such circumstances.
But there will be the fullest measure OF
party responsibility under the new
charter, since the mayor will have the
appointing power subject to the contir-
nation OF Council, and will be primar-
lily responsible for the whole conduct CT
the city government, and while this re-
spcnsibility viii be manifest the major
ity party will not be able by vicious
use OF power to injure the people ana
the equilibrium between the parties
will be strictly maintained.
LAS the charter is based on the prin-
ciples set forth in Mr. Bryane Dover
speech, it would not be a bad thing for
you to invoke his aid 70 secure its pass
age?" suggested the reporter
MIR. Rossell said, in reply. That
would be asking too much Of Mr..
Bryan, as he is a citizen OF another
state and it would be pregumpiuous in
him to interfere in purely local mat
ters in the State of Delaware; and,
moreover, his time is very much taken
up, and he cannot be expected TO go
through the minutae Of a charter for
the city Of Wilmington. l can assure
you. however, that MIR. Bryan Is inter
ested, as / sent him, some days ago,
copy Of the charter bill, and advised
him by letter that had done 50. Short
ly thereafter received this very cour-
teous response:
March 81, 1898
Mr.. John S. Rossell, Wilmington, Del
My Dear Sir: Your letter is re-
ceived. / thank you for sending the re-
port and shall be glad to look over It
when it arrives. Am glad to know that
the address at Dover was of assistance.
The drafting CT a constitution and
charter is an important work. It is a
compliment to be trusted with the
preparation Of such an instrument.
Here your work will prove satisfactory
to those called to pass upon it.
Very truly yours,
"'W. J. BRYAN.
"You asked me at the outset" con-
tinued Mr.. Rossell. whether / thought
/ the charter bill would pass the General
| Assembly. Whether It will pass or not
/ cannot say. but that it ought to pass
ann satisfied Make your laws wisely,
| said Mr. Bryan, and provide methods
Of government so that the people car
| express themselves If the Democratic
members will follow this advice l be
lieye the Republican members can bl
relied upon for patriotic cooperation.
Wilmington will have a new charte
either now or later; If not now, thel
the issue being one that will not die
will present itself for consideration a
the Fail election and no doubt inAuenc
the selection Of representatives in tn
next General Assembly.
1T should be borne in mind that tn
pending charter Hill would not go int
| operation until the first OF July mex
year. and that the intervening tim
would be required for the presen
mayor and Council to revise the ord
nanccs Of the city and provide for th
reorganization CT the city gCvernmen
A new mayor and Council would
, chosen at the next city election, 20 TAX
: charge of the reOrganizcd ADMINISTERS
/ tiCn, and without precipitOus chang
: / but with the full knowledge and cor
seat Of the people, after mature delil
2 GRAFTON and careful selection of th
r. chief officers Of the municipality, th
management Of the city's busines
strictly upon its merits and with du
regard for the interests Of the peopl
would be inaugurated.
NO higher duty devolves upon u
, present General Assembly than that
restoring the power of local govern
ment to the citizens OF Wilmington
and it cannot close its labors wit
greater honor to itself than by passin
the charter bill prepared by the con
e mission"