Evening journal., 1907-01-19

mlngton to-day is about 10 square miles
md it's population consists of upwards OF
5000 souls.
1T would be very easy to tell you many
"reminiscences Of much interest about WI.
mineton and point out lots OF spots and
buildings OF historic character; for uhis
city has figured very conspicuously IN the
trials and honors OF our great natl n. 1
VIII, however, have to leave that work TO
some other gentleman to talk about
Il am sorry that It was not possible 70
have had this BANQUET in our city Han
for there has been many important gath.
erings in that building in years gone by.
Il was built IN 17ss and was planned by
Peter Banduy who had in mind a building
to be an Improvement on the architecture
Of the State House in Philadelphia, ana
most people thought that he succeeded. I'm
fortunately, however, we are not at liberty
TO understand tho beauties Of his work.
for in the year 1870 the top Establishment
OF the designer were changed, very much
altering the buildings appearance.
City Is Much Loved.
Wilmington is much loved by its in
habitants and we believe by all Della
wareans, and as it is the largest city in
this State, We should ell strive to bring
its condition to that Of excellence. Now,
how to best improve conditions is what
dlsturbes the minds OF progressive and
careful men. We al have views that 70
our own minds seem not only feasible but
often we allow ourselves to think that
what we want is the best and sometimes
go so far as to say the only thing TO do.
However, we may think It seems to me
from my observation that everybody or
nearly so, know that many of our condi
tons need Improvement Now, just how
to do 1t is a question that can never be
determined II we wait until all come to
the same conclusion, for it is safe to as
sumo that all the people of Wilmington
viii not think alike at all times. on any
subject. Wilmington people are good peo.
pie, may say, very good people. but they
viii never reach that stage Of perfection
Now in order to get at the situation Of
Wilmington want to tell you in a short
and concise way about our condition.
.As to Population.
Wilmington in 1906 contained $1,000 peo.
pie, occupied ten square miles of ground
had over 100 miles of streets, over half Of
which are paved; has six national banks
two savings banks and three trust COM
panies. The business Of these institutions
will aggregate approximately Sl5OOOO.O0O
last year. The manufacturing and build.
ing comprehends the highest character in
shipbuilding, carbuilding. chilled car
wheels and axles, morocco and other
leather, heavy tools and other machinery.
Yulcanized fibre and great diversity OF
other industries. The commerce incident
to all this, is carried by water and by
rail, by the former for 1905 it aggregated
s59ooo'0oO and by the latter must have
been upwards of SlOO0OO,O0O
Il cannot go too deeply into this phase
o. our affairs except to give you casual
idea Of the great Importance Of this very.
very important city. Your metropolis. our
city.
More Revenue Needed.
Now. gentlemtn, this community has
been operated with an organization bv
virture Of a charter granted in 1852 hhat
has been altered and amended many
times, many ways. until the conditions of
Wilmington's city government are these.
Our revenues arc raised by Councils.
under acts of the Legislature that are not
entirely fair to the property holder and
rent payer, there is not sufficient elasti-
city to the municipal legislative branch
TO permit them to largely increase tbs
revenue by other means than a direct tax
on reals estate.
TIE eXpef ditures Of the citv for the
wear ending 1905. not including the water
apartment amounted to S69sH7; OF this
amount S6569O6 or nearly s5 per cent was
made manditory by acts Of the legislature
leaving to the people Of Wilmington. the
right to spend in taeir own way, Ss5io.
or little over per cent
Gentlemen, I have tried in a concise
way to tell you without taking any more
time than would be permissible on an oc-
castor Of this kind. how Wilmington han
pened to be here, little of its history.
how important i is. and some OF It's
troubles. 1t is in the hands Of the Legis-
lature now in session. and we would like
TO impress those Of that body that are
present with knowledge Of our most
earnest desire for legislation to the end
that Wilmington may in some fair way
be allowed to conduct its own business
in its own way, within constitutional re-
Guirements. deeming It quite likely that
people who can conduct the great busi-
ness that occupy the people Of this city.
are capoble Of determining among them
selves what is best for their own wei
fare so long as they only act within the
general bounds limited to any other oiti-
zen Of the State Of Delaware.
do not understand this to be a re-
Election on the Legislature, for it is i'm
possible for the city to have its affairs in
detail, compassed in the limited time thar
7an be given by the State body. within
uhe two months every two years. that the
to do"
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