Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1899-12-14

Through the tegsiatures ana Ihat u ne
Had Inserted the Hoods of departments
Each Would Havn Paid 500.
Tho Board o. Trade at its monthly
meeting Thursday, decided TO continue
its Efforts in behalf OF new city
charter. The subject oene up, follow
ing the presentation Of thererort OF the
delegates TO tho Columbus Convention,
which report was rs follows
To the Board OF Trade Of Whining
ton, Del:
Under your appointment we attended
all tine sessions of the Conference for
Good City Government held by the
National Municipal League at Column
bus. Ohio, on the 10TH 18th and 18th
of this month.
Ii was very interesting and inspir-
ing occasion. exciting and increasing
our IL terest in the cause of good munich
pal government especially as relates to
Wilmington. We regretted very much
that others of our citizens were nut
present.
A committee of the league had for
two years been working in the prepara-
tion of n form Of municipal charter,
the provisions of which should be such
as will tend to tho efficient manage
ment of city affairs. 1t was evident
that the committee had given a very
great deal of consideration and labor to
the work. Their draft was accepted as
representing in large degree the
opinions of those present, and, as being,
in form, a tentative charter, which any
community desiring municipal reform
may accept as a basis of local govern
mental structure, and ore CAPABLE of
being nodded to suit purely local condi-
tions.
The State of Ohio has commission
at work respecting revision of ;he
municipal code of that State so as TO
place the cities and villages under an
uniform system of government This
commission is nearly ready to report.
We heard very interesting paper re-
srecting their proposals, which had
been prepared ard was read by one Of
the members of the commission,
We ad with us number of copies
of the proposed charter for Wilmington,
and left them with members of the
conference. Its provisions were ex-
planned so far as appeared feasible. in
the limited time allowable for this
purpose during the proceedings of the
conference, and such of the members
as we were able to confer with seemed
much pleased with the general tenor of
the instrument.
We MAY say that in spirit and trend
the draft of the comm ittee of the league
aud that of the Ohio Municipal Com.
mission coincide in large degree with
our proposed charter.
We brought with us and submit here
with few copies of the league commit
tees draft CT a city charter, which has
Inn .lntt nd
through the newspapers. We also sub
nit a copy of the report of the Ohio
Commission which we received
We heartily commend the good work
and purposes of the league, and hope
that the city of Wilmington may con-
- tinue to be represented ut its annual
essiors.
John S. Rossell,
n. Merris Taylor,
~ .a, William p. Bancroft,
Committee.
Wilmington, Del, November 23d, 1899.
On motion of W. d. Mullen, Jr., the
report was adopted with thanks.
Z Mr.. Rossell, who presented the re-
y port, discussed the suggestions of thu
u National Municipal League as II
II municipal government. and showed
some OF the points of contrast and com
parison with the bill proposed for Will
mington. He held that although tn,
league's charter might be radical, tn
Wilmington bill provided simply for
rational reorganization of the city.
MR.. NEARy FAyoRs NEW CHARTER.
Patrick Neary spoke in behalf of th
local bill as preferable to the leagu
bill and said that the best thing t
do is to take what we can get. If W
can get the Legislature to adopt tn
proposed charter or one like it, h
thought it would hesa decided improve
ment over the present system.
Mr.. Neary suggested that citizen
take this matter up now and talk abou
it with each other, in order to arous
public sentiment and get that sent
ment back OF the movement.
"If gol can't get ideal government,
remarked the speaker, the next bes
thing is to get as much as you can"
1t was important, too, to have tn
right kind Of people TO rut charte
into execution.
Mr.. Mullen agreed with Mr.. Near
as to the wisdom CT agitating the sui
ject He believed that larger ella.
favors a new charter now than did tw
years ago.
A. S. Reed spoke of the necessity
unity in the movement for ne
charter.
WILLIAM p. BANCROFT WANTS CoUNCl
STRENGTHENED.
William F. Bancroft hardly favorC
as sweeping changes as would be mat
under the proposed charter He sal
further:
/ have no disposition to speak light
of the members OF our City Council
neither of those now in office nor
those who have preceded them with
the last few years. | believe they q
men of much intelligence and publ
sIirit. But L think one of our We
great needs is that of a stronger al
more influential Council; one that W
show itself competent to accept al
bear responsibility, and one who
members shall be as free US nossib
from such partisan ideas as allie
allegiance to national OF State parti
TO control their action RESPECTING d
affairs of the city. | would not care
choosing u manager for city affai
whether he were a Democrat or X
publican, nor so long as he would n
make our tax laws nor our license Law
whether or not ne believed in sing
tax or in prohibition.
Our present system of election dc
not tend to this end. 1t sends to Cou
Gil men Of local influence men
gsneral repute throughout the city.
acknowledge that good and strong m
often become known first in their O,
neighbnrhood; but | think we car
this usage of local seleetion too far