Evening journal., 1911-02-10
RE Up ANp DOING.

HE session Of the Legislature is rapidly pass
n ing and lively work must be done II the
members are TO enact important legislation such
as to cause the present General Assembly to be
remembered as one that really accomplished
something worth while
There has been a widespread sentiment for
good roads, and that subject should be taken up
at once The platforms of both the political par
ties called for good roads legislation. Most of
the people, VIC think, wish to see an improved
State highway from Wilmington down the State.
The matter has been talked OF for years, and il
would be pity it something were not done TO
make that good road a reality Delaware is sure
to have better roads in the not distant future
Why not begin at once? Why should the newt
able improved roads be delayed? Unless a COM
prehensive scheme for fine State highway is one
OF the results of the present Legislature there
will he much disappointment
good State road would be practical and inn
mediate benefit to the farmers as we'll as TO others
in any community. One important reason is that
good roads effect economies in hauling. Let this
reason be kept in mind, regardless Of any other,
and there would be no serious objection to good
roads.
Another important matter is a Public Utilities
Commission. Considerable interest is being
shown as regards such a commission. Several
bills have been presented, and the which
proves to be the best should be adopted. The
Journal believes that public sentiment is largely
IN faNor OF Sucn a commission. As VIC nave re-
peatedly said, IL we do not get commission at
this Legislature we certainly will get one two
years from now. Why not then, have one at
s. present? Nothing can be gained by delay
Another measure which affects the whole State
is a Corrupt Practices Act. There is no valid OBJ
lection to such law. At present the Attorney
General has authority he has assumed il, to
make inquiries into campaign expenditures such
as would be disclosed by a Corrupt Practices Act.
Why not have complete publicity instead Of an At
torney Generals inquiry?
Many States have such laws. Other States are
getting them. Recently revelations in various
parts If the country show that the corruption in
other communities is fully as great as that al
legged in Delaware il not greater.
The reports Of expenditures for campaign pur-
poses IN other communities made public by pub
lcity bills show that as much money has been
spent for campaign purposes as was spent IN
Delaware during the last campaign, and probably
more. But there has been an air of mystery
about the use of money in Delaware. This mys-
terry could easily he made clear by Publicity
Law. The time is coming when shall have such
law. Why delay?
There has been much talk about non-partissn
city government in Wilmington. Most Of the
towns of the State have such government. The
Board OF Trade has weaved the talk into a bill
providing for a method in the election of
our counemen. The plan proposed is not per-
feet II is but step in the upward path We don't
think il would abolish partisan city government
by a great deal But many persons believe that
the enactment OF such law would be going in
the right direction. All the daily newspapers of
the city favor the BILL 4
II the Legislature wants to make the expert
nent the opportunity is offered. If nothing is