Evening journal., 1911-06-20
Mr.. Townsend Points Out
inconsistencies in Pres
emf Documenf--Mr. Har-
man Favors Amend
meHfs.
CIVIC MEETING HEARS
SUBJECT DISCUSSED

That the interest in the Wilmington
Civic Association is greatly and rapid
ly increasing was demonstrated at
last nights meeting by the large audi
ence or men active In many phases
OF municipal life who assembled in
the High School auditorium. The
debate on whether a new charter. or
the present charter amended. was
preferable. was practically confined to
the four prepared speeches. by S. d.
townsend, Jr., and Caleb z. Burehe-
nal in favor Of new charter. bv
Robert 9. Harman and Josiah Marvel
IN favor Of an amended form of the
present charter The speeches cover
ed the ground so thoroughly that
there was little left for others to saw.
Ihat the charter commissioners pres
ent found them practical was evi-
denced by the notes they took.
Mr.. Townsend was unable to be
present, but his paper, read by VIII
nam +. kurtz, opened the debate Mr.
Townsend stated that because this
mass of statutes. the present charter.
the cause of so much discord between
the various city departments. had
been construed by the courts, was
not an argument for its retention. as
the test OF a statute was its suitabil-
ity TO local conditions, not the fact
that It's meaning was made clear by
the courts. He said the amendments
and supplemental acts to the present
charter have been the cause Of prac-
tlcally all the disagreements arising
from the charter. The length of the
present charter. 500 pages, he said.
made It little wonder that laymen
knew so little Of the laws. Mr..
Townsend recommended for the new
charter, legislative powers invested in
the city instead Of in the Legislature
and non-partisan election of city Off
cials. He gave twenty-four cases Of
Inconsistency in the present charter
is samples to show that the present
charter is not based upon any real
theory Of municipal charter building
Some Inconsistencies.
Briefly put, they we're: /. The
Mayor, the most important oficial, re-
quired to have only two years pre-
election residence while his sub
ordinates must have FIVE. .. Some
department members required to take
oaths not TO be financially interested
in contracts affecting their depart
ments, in other departments, mem
hers not so bound 8. Mayor re-
tanning fees received from the ac-
acknowledgement of deeds. city Judge
required to turn such fees over 10 the
city. 4. Inconsistencies in appoint
ments. 5. A resolution OF the de-
partments passed with the same
formality as an ordinance of Council.
and a resolution of Council passed
with less formality than a department
tai resolution. s. Street and Sewer
Department has legislative power,
while Board of Health has none.
Z Jurisdiction over matters con-
nected with streets divided between
departments and Council. conflicts re-
sulting s. Incomplete collection os
taxes, statutes. g. Indefinite pro-
vision for assessment of benefits
against persons whose properties arc
benefited 10. Inconsistent assess
ment of paving costs and sewer
liens II. Water Commissioners not
required 10 give bond; Street and
Sewer Commissioners required TO give
bond to the amount of 100000. 70
Differences in departmental letting
Of contracts. 13. Increase Of salaries
a matter Of mere resolution in Street
and Sewer and Water Departments,
Council must pass an ordinance. Po-
lice Commissioners must 90 TO Coun-
ell for authority IA. Election laws
146 pages long. Is. Inconsistency in
paying taxes. is. Municipal Court
with power 10 require bail, no power
10 enforce the collection of bail bonds.
IT, Assessors and collectors paid
fixed salary and commissions. is.
Three departmental engineering
forces where one would be enough for
the city.
49, In regard to contracting OF
debts by departments; Section II OBJ
scure. 90 Differences in land pur-
chasing power Of departments. 21.
Legislature tells us how we may reg
ulate our pool rooms. How we
must regulate our barber shops %.
Advisory Board been found necessary
to adjust trouble between depart
ments o. One department borrows
money at per cent, at the same
time another department has money
IN the bank drawing per cent "a.
Needless repetition in acts.
Concluding, Mr.. Townsend quoted
Mr.. Delafield. of Delafeld; Hawkins
and Longfellow, who frequently pass
on the validity Of our bonds" as say
ing Delaware was the only State
without municipal law.
FavOrs Present Charter.
Robert G. Harman elaborated four
reasons why he was in favor ce
amendments to the present charter,
namely:
First The present charter, as a
whole. is a good charter
Second Judicial decisions have
made known to us the meaning Of
practically everything of importance
In IT,
Third. We are familiar with the
practical workings of t.
Fourth radically new charter
would render nugatory a number Of
the ordinances and resolutions and
leave others in doubtful state.
Under the first head, Mr. Harman
named the Mayors powers, saying
they we're enormous, and If any gem
tleman present could think Of any TO
add TO them he would like to hear