Evening journal., 1907-07-03
MAYORS MESSAGE.

IT HE message Of Mayor Wilson, read in City
\ Council, was a most sensible document,
full of thoughtful suggestions for the city gov
ernment, and certain to arouse deeper concern
dor the welfare Of the city on the part Of the
voters
The mayor commends the course of the last
City Council and the action of the Legislature in
permitting the city to secure additional revenue
The mayor declares that the provision relating
10 the taxation of he public service corporations,
while not all that could be desired, SIS a least a
decided improvement"
Colonel Wilson says that the provision has al
ready proved beneficial to the city, and by the
time the next Legislature meets, Council will be
in position TO know what changes, if any, are
needed in this law 1t has been generally adj
mitted that the law was not so good as desired,
but it must be remembered that it was wrung
from the unwilling Senate coterie that controlled
all legislation at Dover The force Of public SEN
timent and the activity Of the councmen secured
the concession to permit the city to get taxes
from the corporations. In time, we believe,
plan will be worked out in dealing with the cor
porations that will prove satisfactory to all.
The mayor recommends different method of
auditing accounts, and as a thorough and success
ful business man, his advice on this purely bust
ness question should be needed. 1t is well worth
considering. The subject OF increased revenue
for the city is handled judiciously Colonel Will
son and all others who have given this matter
consideration, know that it is pressing question
The expenses Of the city are growing and more
revenue must be provided
The mayor declares that there is good reason
for the general complaint of the inequalities of as
sessment THE JOURNAL has frequently re-
ferred to this topic Inequalities of assessments
are prevalent in many cities other than Will
mingtou and municipal students are trying to
cause better adjustment. The only fair way is
to assess all properties according to their worth,
and not to assess the smaller properties at their
full value and put two-thirds valuation upon
the larger buildings as is frequently done This
ought TO be simple task that could be performed
by the Board of Assessment, Revision and Ap-
peals without going to the expense Of naming
special commissioners one of whose principal
duties would be to draw fat salaries from the
city treasury. Revisions Of license charges are
suggested. The more interest that is
aroused over the question of taxation the better
1t will be for the people And yet the general
principles OF taxation are so perfectly plain that
no one need go astray upon them.
The mayor is enamored of the new City Hall
project. Pride Of Wilmington alone would be
sufficient to urge the erection of handsome City
Hall, and ahe only obstacle in the way is the ex-
pense attached. Perhaps the mayor and the
hnanciers Of his administration will be able TO
devise some satisfactory method by which we
shall new City Hall without burdensomely in
creasing the tax rate.
Altogether the mayors message is Of much
interest. 1t should not merely be read and then
forgotten. It should stimulate even greater in
terest among those who want to see Wilmington
a handsome progressive and patriotic city.