The sun., 1900-04-06
BOARD OF TRADES OFFICERS
Annual Meeting Held Last Even
ing, When Reports for the
Year We're Read.
SECRETARY TAYL0R'S REPORT
Morris p. Satterthwaite and T..
Harper Carver Resigned as Mem
bers---The Former Was Then
Made an Honorary Mem
her of the Board.
TAYLOR'S REPORT

At the regular monthly and annual
meeting of the Board of Trade held last
night officers were elected for the
ensuing year, the annual report of the
officers and committees were read and
other routine business attended to. In
the absence of President William Law
ton, Second Vice President j. Newlin
Ganthrop, presided.
After the reading of the minutes of the
last annual meeting by Secret Try Taylor
the following officers who were noini-
mated at the last monthly meeting we're
elected.
President, William Lawtop; first vice
president. J. Newlin Gawthrop; second
vice president, Andrew L. Johnson;
treasurer. John r. Hudson; auditor,
John S. Rpssell, and secretary, Daniel
W. Tay lor, all of whom are old officers
with the exception OF A. L johnson.
thW aite and also l. Harper Conner were
read by Harry Hough, chairman OF the
membership committee and accepted.
which was as follows;
The time has come around that re-
minds us of the fact to prepare another
annual report. Whilst there has been
much of an encouraging nature for us to
feel grateful for in the year that has Just
past and the outlook for the future OF Wi
mington seems bright, it may be well for
us to turn back to review the mistakes
we have made and perhaps compliment
ourselves little on the streaks of wis
dom we have exhibited, which no doubt
may be more obvious to ourselves than
to many others. We make resolves for
the future hoping at least that the fates
will lead us in the proper direction.
When we fully consider all that has oc-
CURED during the past year it will no
doubt aid us to shape our course for the
year to come. With such aretrospection
we may be enabled to move in the direc
tion that will accelerate the progress
already taking place. AS we approach
the new century we should be Imbued
with the spirit of advancemeu Of GU,
city's best interests along all lines
| Whatever our prejudices may lie we
should be interested individually, inter-
ested collectively to move on with the
enlightenment of the times and make
our city the home of all that is true and
noblest by dealing with the new prob.
lens that may and will arise in such
manner that the high water mark OF
political conscience may be reached by
us. For it is an acknowledged fact that
tie cities are the source of our great in
dustrial strife and contention. Ii is there
where new theories arise. 1t is there
wher7 new problems are coming to the
front. 1t is there where new social
| theories arise and unless we prepare to
meet these problems and deal with them
so that there shall be general uplifting
Jf the conditions OF our city's population,
thereby making the future what it
should be. Realizing that the source of
every city's power, greatness and intiu
ence is in its proper development.
desire to call your attention to one
subject worthy of our earnest consiiera-
tion: We have often considered land
now have special committee upon
Municipal Reform. The country at large
is very seriously considering it as ap.
piled to existing conditions. 1t is well
for us to clearly understand that NUM-
cipal Reform means Civil Service Reform
and the abolition OF the personal and
party spirit system from our municipal
pose to advance rather than retrograde
in this beautiful city OF ours, it needs
no argument to show that we ought to
avail ourselves of the best possible meth
ods in the organization and manage.
ment Of our clty's best interests We
have done some things very well, in
deed, in the city, for the reason that
energy and efficiency we're at the head
of some of the departments. For the
management OF our city's interest We
should have the benefit OF the best eff
| forts OF the best trained men. But the
average citizen is prone to endorse things
| as they are, rather than make change.
There should be no such thing as a
partisan municipal management of
| public works, and, as we advance,
this system of partisanship, in appoint
ments in municipal gyernment becomes
more and more intolerable. We need
more Colonel Warnings in our city ad-
ministration. Organize a municipal ad-
ministration on strict business Irinci-
Piles. Think of Philadelphia acknow-
Lodging that she was incompetent to
manage the lighting supply of that city
for no other reason than that the party
spirit system rather than the merit sys.
tenn dominated the powers that be. 1t
seems rational that ii all good citizen ir-
respective of party and whatever their
views be regarding municipal ownership
or that of extending the municipal func
ton, ought to be able to unite upon an
administration upon business princi-
pies; we must either progress or retro
grade, there is no middle ground. There
! can be no more practical issue raised. So
long as existing political parties decline
to accept this principle of nonpartisan-
ship in making appointments. There is
field left for independent action in city
election. The underlying portions Of
modern civilization are crowding our
cities with a large population and We
must meet this issue, II our city govern
ment was without p1iiticol Ia,ronsge