The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1907-02-19

Few matters have attracted so much
attention and comment in this city as
has the bill recently introduced by
Representative Morton, in the leglsla-
ture for a revisal of the. primary law,
making the election of City Attorney,
Chief of Police, City Clerk and Treas.
urer and Assistant City Clerk and
Treasurer, dependant on ali the people,
instead of these offices being filled by
the board of aldermen as at present.
Citizens yesterday were unaniro:.s
in their expression Of disapproval oun-
corning the method in presenting the
bill. Of a large number of we'll known
citizens that were interviewed, The
Messenger reporter failed TO fin? Il
single person who had anything bat
criticism to offer as to the course thar
had been employed, the Measure hay-
ing been conceived, introduced and
passed by the house, before it beca,Ge
generally known in this city that any
such thing was wen in contemplation.
AS to the merits or dement's of The
bill, the voters of Wilmington nave
given little consideration to this feat
ure of the bill, all of the comment and
criticism being directed at the secre-
tive and quiet in which the
introduction of the measure was cCn-
Quoted.
There are elections of certain CT
fcers provided for however, that prob
ably could never expect to meet the
approval of public opinion. Yesterday,
it is understood, advices were seat to
the capital, asking that the election
of the members of the board Of audit
and finance, the clerk to the board IF
audit and finance and the chief OF the
fire department should also be submit
ted to a popular vote.
The measure as introduced by Rep
resentative Morton, providing for The
election of the chief of police and other
officers, was passed by the house in q
hurry, at a night session on Friday. #
any of the suggestions, made yesterday
are incorporated in the bill, it will
again go to the house, and there are
advices at hand that the measure would
not be received with as unanimous &C
core as was given on the first vote.
The only redeeming feature In he
discussion Of the bill, which has been
bitter and condemnatory, was the tact
that rumor got in it's work concerning
probable candidates who would offer
themselves before the people for the
various Offices that are to be hi!ec.
Noen, of course, came out authoritative
ly, because the bill is not yet a law. but
reports on the streets can be given
some credence.
AS applicants for the position Of city
attorney, it is said that opposing the
present official, Marsden Bellamy, Jr.,
Messrs. Herbert McClammy and Wood
us Kellum will also make the race.
Mr.. John J. Furlong, a NJ. FT'f9 IN
Y, and former ehses Of police,
will, it is said, contest with Chis: Ill
Iiams the race for that positIUn.
For chief Of the fire department,
aside from the present chief, M.
| Schnibben, it is reported that former
chief Martin Newman will enter the
race.
The position of clerk Of the board o:
/ audit and finance, it is said, viii be
| contested for by several candidates in
opposition to Capt T. D. Meares, but
! the names of none of these prObGhie
| candidates were suggested
J There is no known opposition to ne
present city clerk and treasurer, Mr.. J.
J.. Fowler. and his assistant, Mir. { 4.
/ White, but it is considered likely thar
rival candidates will enter the fell
The opinion of conservative citizens
is that the measure is too sweel.ing
in it's nature, providing for changes Il
the system of election of officers, that
have been in vogue for many years,
without giving voters any reasonable
time to consider what effect the bill
viii have.
The rumors as to alleged candidates
are given simply for what they arc
worth. and not with any purpose Of
embarrassing any individual.
Representative Morton. in his en-
deavor to satisfy the people, it Is feared
has gone too far, and his latest action,
Judging from almost universal GEM
ment I'm worthy only OF criticism.