Evening journal., 1910-07-16
NO SPECIAL
SESSION YET
Governor Want to be Shown
That Legislative Action
Is Necessary
SEEKING ADVICE
OF THE LAWYERS

Governor Pennewill visited viii
mington last night to confer with
some lawyers as to whether a special
session of the Legislature is abso-
lutely necessary in order to give Will
mington a valid city government. He
repeated his original statement that
he would not put the State TO the ex-
pense Of a special session of the
Legislature II there was any other
way that the city administration could
be restored 70 a legal basis. and his
object in consulting lawyers is to
learn whether IN their opinion there
Is not some method other than
through an enactment Of the General
Assembly TO validate the government
The Governor said he would an
nounce his attitude as TO whether ne
would call a special session as soon
as he had finished his consultations
with lawyers.
Governor Pennewll yesterday
morning replied to Mayor Spruance.
acknowledging his request in behalf
OF City Council for a special session
Of the legislature The Governors
/ letter stated the he would give the
matter due consideration, that he will
announce his decision I'm the case Just
as soon as he has been satified by
legal advice what is the best course
to pursue. tt
Il was said to-day that the Demo-
carts OF the present administration
may join in the proposal of the Re
/ publican de lure officials UhOse elect
ed in 1907 and who surrendered Of
flee July !, 1909, TO have a meeting of
the old Council, have the de iure Off
cials resign one by one and the elect
in their places the men now assum-
ingi hold Office
Mayor Spruance last night said II
! Governor Pennewill believes a special
4 session Of the Legislature is nol
necessary and that the plan for the
de iure officials TO elect formally the
men now I'm the office will suffice, the
Democrats viii have no protest to
make. The Mayor added, however
that he believed a special session OF
the Legislature to be best TO clarity
the situation.
The contention Is now made b'
some persons that Wilmington reall'
has a de facto city government. sine
the court in its decision of June de
clared the government to be de factC
Z w. is contended by some that II con
tinues as a de facto Eovornmout. UNI
the righftpf those in Office 10 the OF
dces is attacked BY quo warranto q
other proceedings in the courts n
p legal question has been raised I'm IN
court, however. as to any Offices. ex
cepting City Treasurer Howard L
{ Ross and Councilman Walter Rash
both of whom were sustained by tn
court
Governors Letter.
The letter received by Mayor Spru
ance from Governor Pennewill is a
follows:
July IA, 1910. Hon. J. Harve
Spruance, Mayor of City of Whining
ton. Wilmington. Del:
Dear Sir. 81 am I'm receipt Of tn
resolutions forwarded by you re
Questing me to call the Legislatur
in extraordinary session. I will Civ
the matter immediate consideration
with the view Of determining whethe
IL is necessary to take the actiol
requested in order to relieve the EN-
barrassing situation in your city gov
ernment Your very truly, Simeon S
Pennewill. Governor"
Governor Pennewill spent last nigh
i'm Wilmington. stopping at the Clay
ton House. He left on the first trail
down the Delaware Railroad thi
morning. The Governor said he haI
no definite statement to make as 4
whether he will call a special ses
sion