Evening journal., 1912-06-01
VOTERS HAVE
THEIR SAY ON
new CHARTER
Voting Brisk in Some Districts
During First Hour This
Afternoon
COLeRED VOTERS LINE
UP AGAINST TIE DRAFT

with the opening Of the polls be-
tween II and - o'clock today. the
voters Of Wilmington began to cast
ballots that will voice their senti-
ment for or against the proposed new
charer for Wilmington. which was
drafted by a commission of ten men
Five Of the commissioners. Republ-
cans, were appointed by Governor
Simeon s. pennewill. and FIVE, Dem
ocrats. we're appointed by then Mayor
J. Harvey Spruance. The Charter
Commission comprised Robert II.
Richards, George W. Sparks. William
r White. Sylvester d. Townsend and
Joseph A. Mackin Republicans, and
| Thomas F. Bayard. william F. Kurtz.
Armon ID. Chaytor. Jr.. j. Jackson
Peirce and James Kane. Democrats.
Under the law providing for the
! Charter Commission, which was in
troduced In the Legislature by Rep
rosentative Alfred 3. Moore. the char
ter draft is submitted TO the voters
today, but today's vote is not binding
Tho charer bill could not become a
until passed by the Legislature.
.e law provides that should the vote
today be in favor Of the charter draft,
It's passage shall be urged in the next
Legislature by the Mayor and Coun-
Gil Of Wilmington Thus. there is
possibility that II the voters should
approve the charter draft today. Il
might not be passed by the Legisla-
ture which after all makes the laws.
The polls will be open until
o'clock tonight The election booths
were delivered this morning by the
Department of Elections. The vote mp
TO early this afternoon was light IN
some OF the districts but the voting
is expected to be brisker later In the
afternoon.
In some districts. however, the vot-
e ers hocked 10 the polls rather lively
r I'm the first hour At Seventh and
Shipley streets. Fifth ward. nineteen
2 votes we're cast the first half hour.
Voting started early In the Ninth ward,
p whore big vote is expected espe
ll cially west Of Market street
'i During the drst hour a. Fourth
D. street west Of Orange 37 voie---Ferg
cast The balloting was heavier in
II the downtown wards than uptown
e apparently.
- Members Of the Department Of
= Elections and Secretary Foulk were
Z IN readiness TO answer any calls for
official action.
"a In the fourth district of the Third
's ward. No. III West Fifth street, 3i
i votes we're cast up TO Ills o'clock.
y Second district Of the Fifth ward
"a Seventh and Jefferson streets at i.2l
70 O'Clock, 80 votes.
lg Eighth district Of the Fifth ward
& at Eighth and Jeffersons streets, a
l12O o'clock. 10 votes.
- Seventh district Of the Fifth ward
Shipley street near Ninth, 1.S
o'clock. % votes
Saloons Of tho city are closed 70
the day. the law providing that the
must not do business on election da'
Voters assistants are not provide
for AT the polls today.
n Closing meetings we're held in VI
j, rious parts of the city last night
mass meeting of 400 colored voter
was held in the Odd Fellows TEN
to- pie on Orange street above Tent
d which was presided over by Charlie
n n. Colburn. and Wesley Naylor wa
re secretary.
M Mr.. Colhurn said he had studied tn
of charter and was against 1t be
as cause he believed n wa
against the working class Of cit
he izens. He claimed that u would be
~ burden upon the renters who after al
re-, pay the taxes. He complained Of tn
nv neglect Of South Wilmington streets
.g- Continuing ne said III it is nc
Inv defeated should Governor Penewi
Nv make the appointment of a Republican
or Municipal Judge. and the party shoul
,r be defeated. In nine months time tn
present Judge may be strong enoug
he with this party 10 be reappointed.
d. Gentlemen, vote against the chai
On ter for IL strikes me that It is a d
Ite rect blow against the colored vo'
al ers."
re- James A. Anderson claimed that thl
ds charter would work hardships upol
IN the renters.
-k George Phillips also spoke sgsins
w. CONTINUED on Second Page)