Evening journal., 1910-08-20
SATURDAY, AUG. 20. 1910
COUNCILMANIC CONSISTENCY.


- statesman. Aside from being a principal
factor in the ctys purchase of a $4,000 play
ground in a remote section the western flank
of the city at price considerably lower than the
valuation will be when Wilmington has 10000
population and the city is built beyond its pres
emf western limits, Democratic leader in the pres
ent de facto" Council and custodian of the Fourth
ward and its destines Mr.. Kane has now as
sumed the heroic role OF watchdog of the city
treasury.
1t is really deplorable that Mr.. Kane did not
assume this highly edifying attitude few months
ago--anyway, before Council began its negotia-
tions for the purchase of Fairgrounds, laudable
project if the Fairgrounds be had upon rea-
sonable terms, to quote the language of recon-
mendation of the Board of Park Commissioners.
Still, COUNCILMAN Kane like the rest of hu-
manity lives tb learn. Long ago he learned the
artfu game ~ politics. and there is no doubt that
he is past1< 1Ser in this judging from the manner
in VIZ he hsndiSs the affairs Of City Council
saesfd generally moulds the other members OF tnat
bodv around TO sanchoning his projects or poll
cies Occasionally therG is some ranting against
the attitude of Mr. Kan6 but the latter IN his
smooth suave way generlly bowls over Coun-
Gilman McGovern and the ether Democrats who
sometimes deign to dispute the DOMINION OF name.
Without going into the meritl OF the propoSai
10 pay $4,000 to Mr.. Harman for thc-mno.auon
of the recently revised laws and ordinances 81 VIII
mington the attitude Mr.. Kane assumed towal u
that proposition is most illuminating and an exanI-
pie Of inconsistency that is amazing But what's
consistency in a little thing like politics or the
expenditure of public moneys?
Mr. Kane ,opposed the resolution TO have the
annotating done by Mr.. Harman for S3,000 He
got up on his feet publicly in Council and ex-
pressed himself against such an outlay, but we
have failed TO hear of Mr.. Kane in open Council
getting up and explaining just for what specific
property the S4l000 appropriation for play
grounds was TO be expended.
Mr. Kane argued that the annotating would
not be worth more than six cents 70 anybody but
a lawyer Did anybody hear Mr.. Kane get up
in Council and attempt TO ascertain whether the
$4,000 playground tract by the countryside was
really worth $4,000 to the taxpayers Of Whining
ton and their children? If he had, he probably
would have received many responses from the tax
payers that might have caused him to hesitate in
that expenditure of the citys cash that has reused
much criticism.
Mr Kane also argued that the So 900 should no.
be paid for annotating the revised laws and or
q dinances because no appropriation had been ma5'
for that purpose in the schedule for the fiscal year
This is really an argumentative gem that would d.
(, credit TO expert Juggler OF tariff figures. |
is true that no appropriation was made for ahnoti
ing the laws and ordinances, and il is equally tru
that no appropriation was made in the schedui
for this fiscal year of Sal 900 for the purchase o
fairgrounds. Yet Council simply authorized tn
expenditure Of the $4,000 when Councilm1i
Kane's finance committee asked for il, and no ques
tion of appropriation was raised by any membe
of Council Nor we're the properties for whiel
the money was to be paid named in open Council
II is all right, from the Kane point of view o
craftsmanship to spend S4i 900 of the citys none
not provided for in the schedule in manner tha
has brought public condemnation, but il is no
ali right to spend $4,000 of the citys money no
provided for in the schedule for work that I
specifically described and notice of which ha:
been given TO the taxpayers so that they may know
what 10 expect in return for H.
Is there not much food for reflection in tn
Developments concerning the purchase of play
grounds that ought to have weight with the voter
in November? Can they be satisfied with such a
example of administering the publics affairs a
the present Democratic City Council is giving