Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1902-01-16
ANDREW |. JOHNSON
AND TH0S. H. MELVIN
Named Thursday by Mayor Fisher
for Directors Of The Street and
Sewer Department.
FORMER TO SERVE FOR SIX YEARS
And the Latter Only Until the
list of April, 1908,
MANY NAMES SUBMITTED TO MAYOR

Andrew L. johnson, a Democrat, and
Thomas II. Melvin, a Republican, as
the new direstors OF the Street and
Sewer Depar Gment to succeed Ayres S.
Webster and PatricS Fancy, resigned.
Both have accepted,
Relative to the appointment. Mayor
Fisher made the following statement:
In selecting directors of the Street
and Sewer Department to ill the unex-
pired terms oil A. s. Webster and Patrick
Fahey, | have considered the interests
of the city only. | felt that at this
period in our uity's affairs it was neces
sary above everything else to appoint
men whose character, business ability
ana integrity are unquestioned. anu /
believe all of the gentlemen whose
names were submitted for my approval
were men of this class. | have decided,
however, to appoint Thomas Ii. Melvin
TO fill the unexpired term of A. S.
Webster and Andrew L. johnson to ill
the unexpired term of Patrick Fahey. |
trust that the appointments will give
general satisfaction and meet with the
approval of all good citizens.
The mayors selections meet with
general approval.
Mayor Fisher will appoint Mr.. Mel
WINS successor, but Mr., Johnsnn's term
will extend far beyond that of the
mayor.
The new Street and Sewer Directors,
Andrew l.. johnson and Thomas H.
Melvin, authorize The Gazette to say
that the business of the department
will be conducted on strict business
lines, so long as they are connected with
it and can direct its policy. Politics
will cut no figure. Both men have
accepted the appointments at personal
sacrifices and solely because they feel
that 1T is a public duty they owe the
city, having been requested by Mayor
George NJ. Fisher and many other
public spirited men to serve. Neither
Mr.. johnson nor Mr.. Melvin is under
obligations to any political party for
the appointment, ana neither will allow
politics to interfere with the business
of the department
Both gentlemen were seen separately
ar their homes Thursday night by a re-
porter of The Gazette and questioned
relative to the ideas they have formed
as to the manner in which they think
the department should be conducted.
1.-The business OF the department, +:
Mr.. johnson said, twill be conducted
on strict business principles, so far as |
am concerned, and from my aequaint-
ance with Mr.. Melvin, know he is of
the same opinion. ] am not under
= obligations TO any party for my appoint.
ment. While ! am a Democrat | am
not the partisan that many others are
THE first thing to be done, in my
opinion, is to get thorough under
standing of the financial standing OF
the department; to ascertain what debts
there are, ii any what contracts there
are upon which money ia due or will
fall due; what obligations are to be
met aud what the actual expenses must
be before the next appropriation is due
also, what money, if any, is owing the
department, That should be done al
once, before we proceed to any Other
business, and when We get Strengthened
out on the finances Of the department
and what ia necessary to be doue We
will know what plan of action to mar
out.
My relations with Mr.. Melvin have
always been very pleasant. We have
known each other for some time, and
feel that he has the same ideas az M,
own In regard to the matter
Az to the employees of the board,
can say that politics will not hB con
sidered by me, Our object will be t,
get the most efficient men for the worl
aud to run the depar tment as eoonomi
cally as possible. Ali of our employee
must be courteous and must be mel
who will treat the public with prone
consideration at all times There i
one thing sure, and that is that ever
reputable man or firm who submits
bid or bids will receive the same con
sideration rs all others. and all will b
on an equal footing in the matter @
being awarded contracts for work o
supplies. No fayoritism will be shown
am in favor Of absolute Iublicit
In all OF the business of the department
and every consideration will be show
the public in the matter OF giving an
reneiving information. f"
When the reporter called upon MI
Melvin the latter was equally willing t
express his views in regard 10 the wor
before him, so far as he was able to d
80. There having been some discuss o
"a to whether he is a Regular or Unto
Republican, the reporter asked til
question, to which Mr.. Melvin replied
As far as factions are concerned | d
not take any part with either side an
do not propose to take part with on
aide against the other.
when the appointment was ofrere
to me by Mayor Fisher | considsre
the matter for some time, and final
accepted after | had been requested
do go by the mayor and many otbt
business men. In taking the Office
have made personal saerit ice. but,
the mayor expresses it, this particul,
time felt that | might be- Of sun
benefit to our city, in which am vel
much concerned, as all Of my interes
are here. l am not politician. / hAl
never taken an active interest
politics, any more than voting tHe r
publican ticket My first considerable
is the interests of the city after that
am Republican. | never sought M
office. This one cams to me unsouel
and | had some hesitanoy in taking /
but as | said before, accepted with ii
hope that might be of some benefit
the city. ! am member of the Ea
Side Republican Association, whic
l believe, 10 composed of members
both factions. | never held any off
in the association and never was
member of county or city commit
or took part 10 political conventio
So far as | am concerned do n
intend 10 bring politics into the Sire
and Sewer Department Efficiency t
the work will be the qualification.
shall work FOR reduction Of the tax ra
and ths encouraging of manufacture
industries. | am deeply interested
Wilmington and shall do all can f
the good OF the city and the people.
Mr.. Melvin also said that he favor
publicity OF all public business IN
idsa, ne said, lis to have the bu.
ness OF the department an open book
all times -
The commissions from Mayor Fish