Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1899-01-26

mittee OF the Board Of Trade having
In hand the matter Of preparing bill
providing for new charter for Will
mington, to be presented to the
Legislature, appeared before the inem-
bers of City Council in the Council
chamber, last night week, and explained
the features Of the bill which has been
drawn up, and Council was asked to
consider the matter and approve the
bill IL it meets with the views of the
members. The features were explained
by Messrs. Rossell, Reed and Carpen-
ter, Mr.. Rossell making an address and
going into detail. pointing out where
the members Of the committee thought
money could be saved and better re-
suits accomplished.
Mr.. RosseIl introduced his subject
by informing the Councilmen that the
Board Of Trade committee which had
drawn the bill was not the commission
which had drawn the bills presented to
the last Legislature, there being only
one member OF the commission on the
Board of Trade committee. He said,
however, that the bill presented to the
last General Assembly was used as a
basis, the charges made being as fol-
lows: A change in the description of
the city limits, SO as to include ter
ritory at the intersection of Lancaster
and Greenhill avenues, which was
taken in at the last session; giving the
city control of bridges within the
limits which might hereafter be
erected. the present bridges to remain
under the control of the Levy Court;
limiting the city debt to 7 per cent of
the assessed value of real estate, or
about q, 800, 900, instead of 10 per
cent, as at first proposed; reducing the
salaries of the members of Council
from $500 to $3.50 and the additional
compensation of the president from
800 to $50; providing that all ordi-
nances of general or permanent
nature or. those imposing penalty
Ehall be published in two local news
papers; reducing the salary of the
mayor from ~, 400, as at first proposed,
to y, 900; providing that the mayor
shall call the heads Of the several de-
partments together once week, in
stead of once a month; changing the
name of the advisory board to the
executive board; empowering the
executive board to transfer temporarily
clerks from one department to another,
when necessary; stipulating that all
expenditures for improvements in ex-
cess Of, $1,000, shall be authorized by
Council; requiring that all claims
must be passed upon by majority Of
the executive board and also by Coun-
Gil; giving the city authority to abate
nuisance5 In open lots as well as in
buildings; leaving within the dis.
erection of Council the number Of
patrolmen on the police force, instead
of requiring that there shall be one for
every 900 Inhabitants; providing that
no money shall be paid on any con-
tract until the parties with whom the
CITY has contracted have taken oath or
affirmed that no person connected with
the city government is interested; re-
quiring the city solicitor to codify BIZ
ennialiy all acts of the General Assem-
bly, relating TO the city and ordinances
OF Council of a general or permanent
nature and those imposing penalties,
for which he is not to receive any ad.
ditional compensation.
Mr.. Lesry asked why the limits Of
debt had been fixed at Z per cent in.
stead of 10, as was at first proposed,
to which Mr.. Rossell replied that il
was the desire of the committee thai
real estate should not be burdened an,
more than necessary. The per capita
in Wilmington, he held, was small al
compared with most other cities. Thii
matter, however, could be regulated
by the Legislature.
Various members of Council asked
questions, and in reply thereto Mr.
Rossell stated that the heads OF depart
ments and members of the seyera
boards were to hold office for four year
or until the appointment and qualifi
cation of their successors. The ap
pointments are TO be made by tn
mayor, subject to the approval of two
thirds Of the members of Council
Council is to be composed Of 10 mem
bers, three from each Representativ
district, two to represent the maiorit
political party and one the minorit
party in the district. The heads of tn
several departments are to give thei
entire time to the work in bushes
hours, and each is to be responsible fo
his department. Mr. Rossell said tn
proposed charter contemplated re
,duction of salaries of about 40 per cent
With the exception of the mayor, hi
clerks and the five heads of depart
ments, Council is to fix the salaries
Council is to define the number c
subordinate employees.
COMPARATIVE STATEMENT OF CITY SAL
ARIES.
Mr.. Rossell read comparative stat,
ment, prepared by the Commute,
showing the salaries and compensate
now paid by the city and the amour
that would secure the same service
under the. proposed charter. ether
being no complete statement of all eli
expenditures Issued under the preser
administration, he said, 1.-THE con
mittee has been compelled to gath,
information ae tn tho s,,nna raid az tb