Evening journal., 1912-03-25
PREPARE no VOTE INTELLIGENTLY.

T is of supreme importance that the voters in
Wilmington acquaint themselves fully and accu-
rately relative to the provisions of the proposed
city charter and their effect the government of this
municipality That is because an election will be held
here the Saturday June and the people will go
10 the polls and say whether they desire the Legisa-
enact the charter bill into law. AS a charter
is the fundamental law Of a city Just constitution
is of a State Nation, it Will be at how
important that June will be and how far-reachns
win be the effect the will of the expressed
that day. There is now, and has been, manifest
lack Of public interest in the charter bill That is
condition be regretted. In all the wards efforts
should be stimulate the to and dis
cuss the work of the Charter Commission frankly full
ly and without the heat Of partisan or other preiu
dice Such an important question to whether the
proposed charter shall so to Dover with the stamp Of
the approval should be approached with
open earnest and inquirng mind
has been said that from a comparison of ideas the
truth is evolved That unquestionably is so if the
right minds be brought together in conference There
fore will be that it is the duty of all the
scentous voters in Wilmington to study the charter
draft understand its provisions fully and then attend
the charter hearings and engage in illuminating
discussion If that be DONE there need be fear of
the result The chief danger lies in the apathy rela-
tive TO the charter bill exists in the minds OF
the people It is bad sign and shows that tho
sound, substantial thinking in the several wards
arc not doing their duty
The new charter bill is in a party measure.
That should be borne in mind at the outset. Nor
should It be made Il is bill that should be
kept out Of the field of partisan politics and measured
by the cold and unbiased rules of business and civic
wisdom. 1t will be recalled that publc-spirited cit
liens went to Dover and asked for the appointment
of a commission to prepare charter draft In defer
ence to that request a bill passed. II provided
for the appointment of bipartisan commission Of ten
members each to receive $500 for his work. OF the
ten commissioners the bill stipulated Ave should he
appointed by the Governor Republican. and five by
the Mayor of this city a Democrat Further provision
was made that the commission should frame the pro-
posed charter and place it in the hands Of the Mayor
not later than last February. IL also made the
duty of the Mayor lay the provisions of the pro-
posed charter the voters in this city by March
last so they might study provisions and hold public
meetings for its discussion The Legislature fixed the
first Saturday in June the day which the voters
should pass judgment the work Of the commits
soners majority of the votes cast be that vote heavy
or light was established as the test of the popular
will.
The proposed charter has been framed signed, sub
itted to the Mayor and by him laid before the voters
lamentaby small proportion of the voters now is
engaged in the discussion Of provisions It is that
condition which should be corrected else an adequate
expression opinion for the guidance of the Legsa-
ture and the Governor may be lacking as result OF
the june election The work of the commission GER
tanly entitled respect and earnest consideration
All admit that the charter draft contains provi-
sons that appeal strongly TO the Judgment and favor
those who know the needs Of city Many persons
have said that though the Legislature may not
see its way accept the proposed charter in its
entirety least should take its best features and
incorporate them in the existing city charter.
In It's effort to obtain full and fair expression OF
opinion from Wiming gtonians the Legislature wisely
provided that all who registered TO vote at the
last general. election shall have the right vote or
the new charter question without further registration
In event Of the removal of a district 4
another since the last general election he is
deprived Of his right TO on this all-importan
question He may 60 to the -strict in which he regis
tered for the last general election and there wit
the same effect though he had moved Tn
legislators knew that for practically twenty the
had been talk in this city Of the need for cit