The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1899-01-19
new
CHARTER.
MI. Rossell Explains It to
the Members OF City
Council.

b Is
3 Those ruembors Of the Board Of Trade
,. who arc favorable to a nav charter OK
plained the most salient points of tho pre-.
I pssed measure to City Council last night.
The object OF the explanation was to OBJ
| taln Councils approval Of tho bill, and II
\ II was obtained the cOunoilmen did not
express it.
John s. Rosssll was spokesman Of the
Board Of Trade delegation which com.
pfised A. s. Reed. Joseph L. Carpenter Jr.,
4 "A. l.. johnson and NJ P. sa,terthwnite-
1 Mr.. Rossell went over the bill carefully,
!, explaining the changes made in it since 1t
.Nfus originality drafted.
MIR. Resell, nfter explaining tho charge
read statement OF the salaries paid city
\ officials at present. and those that would
be paid under the now charter If passed.
He said that the list Of salaries was deter
mined after careful consideration by
business men, who were Of the opinion
that tho work OF tho city could be- done
with much smaller force of clerks and
officials than there are now on the pay.
rolls Of tie various departments, and that
the one item Of salaries alone could be
reduced probably about 40 per cent
Iflafter the new charter was in force and
!, 1t was found there were not enough EN-.
!. ployes 10 the departments Council could
! easily regulate that by ordering the en-
ployment of extra men.
~ tol
why tho members Of the executive board,
constitutes the heads Of the various de-
partnients, should not be elected by the
. people instead Of being appointed BY the
mayor
:. Mr.. Kossell replied that II tho executive
board was elected by the people it would
j result in putting the government in the
hands Of the politicians Many other
questions were answered by Mr.. R1ss,ll
to tho satisfaction of everyone.
i. The committee has compiled the follow
ing comparative statement shown g the
salaries and compensation now paid by the
city and the amount that would secure the
same services under the proposed charter.
There:heing no complete statement of
all city expenditures issued under the
present administration the committee has
been compelled IT, gather information as
to the sums paid at this time from the re-
ports of tho several departments, tho
'Hnnual of the Council" and the books
and papers in the city auditors office -.
The salary of the mayor, whose duties
arc now merely perfunctory, is 1880,
while under tho proposed charter he would
lbs given general supervision over all exec
utive departments, and would be improved
to appoint secretary to the executive
board. The mayors salary would be
t200) and that OF the secretary $1,000.
Council tc lay costs 5000 year, while
under the new charter it would cost Is, 72O
Thcro would also be fifteen members,
from whom II president would be chosen.
1t would also elect its clerk and bailiff as
the present body does.
The new charter would establish de-
partmentof public works which would
absorb the Street and Sewer Department,
Department of Engineering and Survey
Ing. Board OF Park Commissioners Board
Of Port Wardens, and Regulator of City
Clock which are now conducted on year.
ly outlay OF Sl6,9l5. The new charter fixes
$500 as the limit OF excnditure in salaries.
A Department Of water supply would
have charge Of the work now under the
soatrol of he water commissioners except
Oh collection Of water rents and other
Oh ,rges which would devolve upon the
city receiver and treasurer. The salaries
now pai,l the members Of the board and
its staff amount TO ST., 4'9 while under tho
new charter tho salaries would amount to
as8o.
The Department of public ssfety would
have under its control all matters now In
charge Of the board OF police commission
OF, board OF nealth. vaccine physicians,
building inspector, plumbing inspector,
El RI Of the market, Inspector of meats,
inspector of milk, and inspector Of oil 8
and fluid' Tho salaries now paid by the
city anount to $la. $50. but the new charte,
would reduce the amount to $4,000
A Department OF Claims and Assess-
meat and Receipts and Disbursement
woald have charge Of tho fiscal affairs Of
the city and their officers would perform
bhe hu les now devo!ving upon the city
eIditrr, r'ty treasurer, assessors and col
lecto.s. their clerks and the board OF as.
s,ssmenl. revision and appeals The city
receiver ard treasurer would receive the
wafer rents and charges now paid to the
" ator Department.
The salaries and compensation at pres
ont amount TO Sl5 $40. The aev charter
rec uces tho amount $500.
The ! solicitor is the loyal adviser Of
the mayor, Council aud tho several execu.
tive departments, and through his as is
tant prosocutoS cases in the Mupicpa
Court. In addition tonn assistant he i.
allowed clerk. This salaries .to-da,
amount to $500.
Under the new charter the duty of tht
solicitor ana hi assistant would be mater
Sally increased. Tho salaries will be flxct
by Council and should not exceed slJ0
for the solicitor ind $500 foe his assistant
The first election under the new charte
would be held by the State Department o
Elections To-day $500 is paid in salaric
for the work, but aIl city elections ate
the Reorganization of the municipality
will be held bya bi partisan Board Of Flee
tlon, Supervisors consisting of four mem
Jers This board is authorized to app9in
ac!erk. This salaries will DO flxod b.
Council and are estimated at $3.50.