Evening journal., 1911-06-19

logical step is a wise understanding
of the present charter Since the
average citizen is too busy 10 take
the necessary time to digest the 562
pages which contain the charter and
supplementary acts creating our City
Government and defining its function,
I have taken the liberty 10 set out
briefly the essential features contains.
ed thereins What is here set out is
merely the machinery of the city gov
ernment and does not deal with the
powers Of the officers of the various
departments.
My only hope is that the brief anal
ysis may aid the citizens of Whining
ton somewhat in an intelligent un-
derstanding and discussion of the
present municipal charter.
Sincerely yours,
Caleb e. Burchenal.
Wilmington. Del, June 10.
Charter of 1888. as Amended.
The style and name of the corpo-
ration of the said city shall be "The
Mayor and Council Of Wilmington"
The city officers shall be a Mayor
and Council to be composed of one
member from each ward, president
of said Council, a treasurer, an au-
ditor a solicitor, a high constable,
(now chief of police), two assessors
who shall also be collectors.
There shall also be an advisory
board, consisting of the Presidents OF
the Water Department, Street and
Sewer Department, Park Department,
Police Commissioners, Board Of
Health and also the President of the
Board Of Public Education and two
members of the Council, chosen by
the Council, both of. whom shall not
be of the same political party.
No person shall be eligible to any
Office who is not a citizen of the state
and a resident of the city. The Mayor
must have resided in the city for two
years before his election. A member
of council must also have resided in
the city for two years, be a resident OF
the ward in which he is elected and
freeholder in the city
No minister of the Gospel shall be
eligible to any Office in the city.
Mayor.
The Mayor shall be elected on the
first Saturday i'm June and shall hold
Office for two years, commencing OF
the first day of the July following
His salary shall be $4,000 per year
The Mayor is a conservator OF tn'
peace and shall take care TO have tn'
laws and ordinances faithfully exc
cuted. and to this end he may inst
tute any inquiry or investigation an6
summon witnesses and compel the
production of any books, and II an.
nerson shall refuse to comply he shall
have power to commit such persoi
for contempt
The Mayor shall have authority L
solemnize marriages.
In case of temporary absence o.
disability of the -ayor the Presiden
of Council shall act as Mayor, pr'
tempore In case of the inability o
the President of the Council to act
the Council shall appoint one of thei
number to act as Mayor pro TEN
pore
In case of death, the removal from
city or refusal to act by the Mayor o
any other elective officer, or the re
moval Of any membef of Council on
of the ward the Council shall max
temporary appointment until the mrs
city election occurring more tha
nine DAYS after the commencement o
such vacancy unless such yacanc
shall occur in the last year OF tn
term of such officer, In which cas-
the temporary appointment shall b
for the unexpired term of said OH
Ger and until his successor shall b
duly elected and qualified.
The Mayor may be removed by
vote of two-thirds of the whole Coun
ell after a fair and impartial trial.
All appointments to Office made b
the Mayor shall be subject TO con
firmation by the Council by major
itv vote. If the Council does not &C
within ten days the appointment sha
be valid without confirmation. II tn
Council should act adversely upo
two successive appointments, IN
Mayor sh II have power to make th
third appointment in accordance VII
existing law
Municipal Court.
The Judge of the Municipal Coui
shall be appointed by the Governo
for twelve years unless sooner remoN
ed by the General Assembly TIL
Court shall be held in the City Hal
The Deputy City Judge shall he az
pointed by the Resident Judge Of Ne
Castle county for a term of fou
years.
The Judge of the Municipal Coul
shall appoint the Clerk of the Mr
nicipal Court and shall hold offic
during the pleasure Of the said Judg
The Judge of the Municipal Coui
may take acknowledgment of deed
mortgages. and letters of attorney.
Council.
The Council shall consist Of pres
ident and twelve members elected fc
term of two years, commencing o
the first day of July following the
election. one member of Council frol
each ward
The Council shall organize on Jul
first following their electioh and met
at least once a month thereafter
Special meetings may be called
the Mayor or at the request of fiN
members All sittngs shall be pul
lie.
Seven members shall constitute
quorum.
No ordinance shall be passed will
out the concurrence of a majority
all the members of the Council.
Every bill passed by Council sha
be presented to the Mayor for HI
n signature; if he approves he sha
sign It. and If not he shall return
with his objection. It may then
passed over his objection by a two
thirds vote of Council. If the Mayo
III