The sun., 1900-01-13
NEN CHARTER
A LIVE QUESTION
An Evening Spent by Young
Friends Association Dis
cussiDg City Government.
BOOKLET on CIVIC RELIGION
william +. bancroft and John s.
Rossell Speak, and the Latter
Outlines the Duties of Citi-
zens Toward The New
City Charter.

The Young Friends Association de.
voted its meeting in the Friends School,
Fourth and West streets last evening to
q consideration OF the question Of bett er
city government.
William p. Bancroft and John S. Ros.
cell we're the principal speakers OF the
evening. Mr.. Bancroft mentioned the
fact that both Mr.. Rossell and himself
had attended the convention OF the
National Municipal League at Columbus,
Ohio, and while there they had received
copies Of booklet on Civic Religion, ("
by Rev. Washington Gladden., d. d.,
whose home is in Columbus.
MIR. Bancroft then proceeded 70 read
from the booklet. Among other excel
lent things in the booklet was the fol-
lowing:
I'VE sometimes hear it said that the
one thing needful is the administration
OF the municipality on business princi-
pies. In narrow sense this saying may
be justified. We ought to have meth
odical economical administration, Of
course; We ought to insist on getting our
moneys wo'th for our taxes
81 think it Is time that we began to
see that good government calls for some
higher principl on the part Of the citi-
zans than what We describe as business
principles. II calls for the recognition Of
civic ideals for vision that can discern
not merely the city that stands upon the
earth, but the fairer city which is com
ing Gown from heaven to earth, after
whose pattern the earthly forms must be
reahaped. There is just as much need in
the city as in the nation OF cherishing
an ideal OF Liberty, OF purity, of perfec-
tion; Of leaving things that are behind
and stretching forth unto the things that
are before; Of cuitiyating a generous
faith and high enthusiasm.
Mr.. RosseI followed Mr.. Bancroft and
pointed ont in an interesting manner
what he cons dered the duties Of the citi-
zsns Of Wilmington toward the new city
charter movement.
ST would be useless" he said, ito
think ef civic ideals and civic religion
underline existing city charter, for the
stand thar charter, as only thoae skilled
in statute law understand it after care
ful examination, while the proposed new
charter is easily understood.
"rhe new city charter question is a
liNlHp one, alu, dllDOuBu 40 may Dc
dropped BY some, the coed work will be
carried on, as the present form OF city
government has Bot gotten the confidence
Of the people, abd the present organize
tion is not entirely satisfactory.
"The citizens should read the new
charter bill and study the plan it pre-
sente, and realize that it gives each a
right by vote to influence the whole
course of the conduct OF the city govern
ment, which is not allowed them under
the present plan. Council has been shorn
OF much OF it's power ard commissions
do much OF the work OF the city. The
Chief Executive is figure head, having
few duties to perform. There are too
many Offices and office. holders"
President D. j. Reinhardt expressed
the thanks OF the association to Messrs.
Bancroft and Rossell for their remarks.
He, together with David Ferris, also
spoke on the subject.
The following new members were re-
ported Chas. Magruder Ed ward aud
Bertha C. Philips.