Evening journal., 1910-06-03
MAYOR GIVES
HIS REASONS
Writes to Eleventh Ward
Democrats About the Street
Paving Ordinance
SAYS IT IS THE BEST
UNDER CIRCUMSTANCES

Mayor Spruance, who yesterday after
noon signed the $4,000 paving loan ordi-
nance today wrote a letter TO the 1lth
Ward Democratic Legion acknowledging
their protest against the ordinance. which
also urged the Mayor to veto II. The
Mayor goes into the subject saying that
ordinance is the best that can be gotten
under the circumstances The Mayors
letter is;
Eleventh Ward Democratic Legion.
Wilmington. Delaware.
Dear sirs.Your favor OF .he sist ultimo.
enclosing coyp OF resolution adopted by
the Legion. was duly received
Il have read the resolution enclosed
very carefully. and have hesitated for
some time before approving the ordinencs
authorizing the borrowing OF 10000 for
the purpose of improving the streets Of
the city of Wilmington.
II have examined the statute under
which the bonds are proposed to be sold,
and have consulted the solicitors FOR the
city and have arrived at tho conclusion
that the ordinance is the best regarding
the conflicting interests covering the en-
tire city that can be obtained
''The Act OF the General Assembly ap-
proved March 9TH 1907 in pursuance OF
which the ordinance was passed, provides,
that the Board of Directors OF the Street
and Seger Department shall prepare and
] present TO the Council OF .he city OF Will
mington list showing the location and
estimated costs Of improvements aa far
as practical. whoch in the judgment Of tho
Board Of Directors OF the sereet and
I r -f .tI,r
There is nothing in the Act which gives
the Council the right TO demand from the
Street and Sewer Department the number
Of pards in the streets 10 be improved
and the number of feet OF sewers to be
laid. so that the same can be compared
with that done by the contracting com.
panies.
Tn fact the only duty OF Council,
should 1t approve Of the improvements
submitted, seems TO be TO secure the
money necessary for the contemplated
improvements. II cannot successfully
insist upon such a detailed estimate
being furnished, because the list show
Ing the location and the estimated cost
Of improvements must only be rem
dered as far as practical The practic-
ability is determined only by the Board
or directors OF the Street and Sewer
Department. Should Council consider
the list not sufficient II could refuse
10 borrow the money for the proposed
improvement throughout the whole
city.
The Board Of Directors OF the street
and Sewer Department has by law been
given supervision over our streets and
Council cannot In any way limit this
authority II there is any fault with
the system the remedy is with the
Legislature not with Council
Referring TO the statement that the
100000 intended to be borrowed could
not be expended in one year, I am in
formed. that the Board of Directors OF
the Street and Sewer Department stat
ed to the Council that this amount
could be expended in the coming year.
and in fact avs absolutely necessary.
OF course, / desire that the Eleventh
ward should receive its Just share Of
! improvements. and l regret that the
city cannot see its way clear to i'm
prove every street within It's bound
aries, but the fact remains that the Inn
provements must be made by tho
Board of Directors Of the Street and
Continued on Second Psxe.