Evening journal., 1907-03-04

side owners TO do with people up the
Brandywine? And then the idea of the
city seeking to lord It over the coun-
try roads and private streets one mile
in the country and establish the
grade thereof" BY the way the city
is waiing and begging FOR money IL
has its hands full without hunting
trouble so far away from home. And
suppose the Levy Court under the road
law says it win fix the grade Of these
country roads and streets?
Ry section 60 (now bilD the local
Board Of Health is given power over
"aM matters Of health within the city
Or a mile outside. Article 70 OF the con-
sttution knocks this out. for the state
Board of Health is given supervision
'0f cam matters Of health" throughout
tho State. And the laws IT 1903 p 625.
sives to the state Board powers in tho
very language Of the constitution. II
also gives It supreme power over all
quarantine. Will the legislators after
this matter is made so plain pass a
law in the teeth OF the constitution?
Does the city need a charter so badly
as 20 make Il knowingly IN violation
OF the constitution?
Look az the righteousness Of going
outside one milel The city limits now
extend 5000 feet out in the Delaware
river and one mile more will take us
almost to Pennsgrove. Are the legis-
rators going 10 open twenty-five years
more Of litigation with New Jersey
just TO give Wilmington a ripper
charter A little less excitement and
more thought will give a much safer
charter.
Then in clause 10. section 3, is that
same old trouble Of putting "any en-
terprise" IN and on the public streets.
We don't want factories built in the
streets that we donate to the city. nor
elevated railroads and other enter
prlses. The Legislature should strike
out enterprise"
BY clause II, section 5. the city can
require anyone in any business to pay
a license. This is dangerous; it should
be modified.
Clause TO- section 5. is another one
Of these powerful provisions. Just
listen what IL says: THE citX shall
regulate the construction and erection
Of buildings or Structures" OF ars
kind whatsoever. What is a "struc-
ture2" It may be a bird house. a farm
/ fence. a railroad track, a wagon, a
car. a ship. a marsh sluice or anything
made by the hand Of man. Will the
Legislature grant such power know
ingly?
Owners of farms or rural lands in
side the city will dance II they allow
their lands to be taxed at full rates
under section 81 Of the new draft No
half rate this trlpl
Now, here comes the tug OF war fol
the lot owners-no politics in this
Read clause 22, section S; section "a
and wind up with the terrible section
/ 101. These sections provide for special
7 assessment OF particular lots for sew
ers (great or smaiD, paving streets
and for "other improvements imposed
by said city" What are these "othei
improvements" for which a few own
ers may be required to pay? Why
anything between the earth and sky
that the city under this greedy char
ter can do Deep grading, large sew
ers. draw-'bridges, trolley tracks. elee-
/ tric works. great buildings, channel
dredging. wharves. bulkheads alons
the Christiana and the Delaware; IN
fact everything that can be done un-
der powers whether expressly enum-
Grated herein or not" may be done By
this Unsuitable greed OF special assess
ment
Section i01 Is a ripper" II thes'
special taxes are not promptly pai,
the lot may be sold by sheriff's execu
tion, and a deed may be made and tn
purchaser by order OF the court be pu
into possession and the former owne
lose his land entirely. This is a herOi
proceeding In a civilized land and un
der an unconstitutional dawl Thi
special assessment is beyond all ques
ton in violation Of the constitution
II cannot be made uniform on classes
II Is special" and no special tax o
this nature can be uniform. Loca
taxes affect only a few-some one year
others next year and some never It 4
Just like an epidemic-it makes IT.
choice among those TO be infected
PestMence like the special assessmen
creates great havoc. but It is neve
uniform, some always escape. Tn
constitution cannot stop an epidemic
but fortunately II saves the citizei
from partial, unjust and special taxes
The constitutional convention sat 81
other days: it had been well fed, AM
was not hungry"
Respectfully,
George A. Talley.
wilmington, March 1.