The Wilmington daily Republican., 1901-08-28
CITIZENS
FOR REFORM.

III tuS TOOW6 VI Inc DcuOCE dkAe
League last evening ever 200 lead.
ing citizens we're present to join ID
a movement to bring about reform
IN the city. Another and larger
meeting will be held in, two weeks
or SO, when the organization will
be perfected in detail and its work
outlined.
When the meeting opened last
night the room was filed to over.
flowing, a large crowd standing at
the door unable TO enter. The
committee appointed at the previous
meeting to inquire into official acts
OF County Comptroller Kelley pre-
sented the following resolutions.
which were unanimously adopted:
Resolved, That in our opinion
George d. Kelley, the county comp
troller, isgulltyeof gross negligence
yes, we may say, criminal negli-
gence, III the discharge of his Off
clal duties.
Resolved, That he has placed his
official approval upon warrants,
plainly in violation OF law, and In
the opinion OF your committee he
has betrayed his trust and dlsre-
earded the best interests Of the
people of this county, which leads
up to wastetulness aud eXtrava-
gance. We believe he has made
himself a party TO tine schemes
"a ich 70 Ia ia pk tho
peoples substance.
Resolved. That his official con-
duct and actions should be invest,-
gated by the attorney general of
this state. and the committee will
assist the attorney general in any
and every way possible.
Resolved, That he has violated
his oath and violated the law gov.
erning his official actions. See act
OF May IS, 1897, volume 20, chapter
StS. Laws Of Delaware.
Resolved, That we commend the
actions and courage Of Merritt N.
Wlllltts, and his associate, Isaac
S. Elliott, who haYe so manfully
stood UP tor an honest and econom-
ical admipistr alton of county IL
rances in the face of an unscrupu-
lous and unprin ciplcd combination.
Alfred Gawthrop was president
and W. f. Kurtz secretary of the
meeting.
Mr.. Kurt said there apparently
were many rumors OF corruption,
disruption and extravaganza In the
management ot city and county al J
fairs, and there were apparently
fears among the people that those
now IN control OF the city and
county would try to bring about
the same condition as now exists in
Philadelphia.
Nj. kurtz gave short review OF
the government of Wilmington,
saying the commissions have out
lived their usefulness. He SAID he
had nothing to say against the wa
ter and park commissions but that
The street and sewer department
has deterlorated since It was first
organized. Mr.. kurtz said it was
necessary to put back in the hands
OF the people. the right to elect the
officers who shall administer the
Affairs of the city, for und der the
present system, Council is shorn OF
all powers.
In bettering county affairs Mr.. |
Kurt said the league could aid the
attorney general in the Inyestiga-
ton now being made. The idea Of
a league should be 10 embrace all
classes oil citizens. regardless Of
politics, and make it strong enough
to compel the political parties to
nominate good, clean candidates.
MIR. kurtz was frequently applaud.
ed and at the conclusion of his
speech was unanimously elected
secretary.
Jerome b. Bell was elected vice.
president and Howell s. England
treasurer, without opposition. On
motion Of Mr.. England the presi-
dent was authorized TO appoint a i,
committee of nine to make arrange
ments for larger meeting in about
two weeks and alsoto select so citi-
zens TO Serve as an executive COM
miltee OF the new organization.
The next meeting Will not be held
in the rooms of the Democratic |
League, tor those who are interest.
ed desire to remove the movement
from every political atmosphere
and make it purely citizens
movement.
The executive committee will de.
eide upon name for the org ganiza-
ton and also outline it scope Of
work.