Evening journal., 1912-03-05
ASK SQUARE
DEAL FOR THE
CITY CHARTER
continned from FIrst Page


was no appeal.
Mr.. Kane intimated that the wealthy
and influential were the only ones who
did now or would get satisfaction in
laying their wants before city de-
partment. Thomas +. Bayard stated
that this was not true, citing case
where street lighting had not been oh
tanned by the well-off, and saying il
was because all the departments
worked separately and therefore could
not plan economically enough to have
money for all things needed; a trouble
corrected by the concentration in the
new charter.
George II. Litz again declared the
commissioners had made the mistake
of their life in leaving out the initia-
tive and referendum, and not only
stated the people were fit to govern
themselves, but the time was fast COM
ing when they should do so.
Keep the ball rolling" said Chair
man Ward.
Jerome b. Bell wanted to know what
would happen to tho initiative and
referendum provision in the present
charter il the new one were passed.
MOnck Objects.
Richard S. Monck said the commits
sioners were advising them TO pass
the new charter and then ask the
Legislature for what they wanted as
amendments. It seemed to him this
left it uncertain as to what they would
or wouldn't get and he advised when
in doubt vote no" Great applause
followed.
Mr.. Monck then objected to several
features of the new charter, including
the taking away from the volunteer
fire companies the right to elecet their
own chief, and the $40 to be paid Dy
a candidate.
George Willis told the history OF
the referendum and initiative in this
city and state, saying that an over
whelming majority had voted because
George W. Sparks and A. B. Conner
voted in favor of it one day for the
purpose of voting to reconsider it the
next day." when it was lost. Mr.
Willis said Lord only knew what
happened the night between"
MIR. Willis thought the assessment
lists ought to be published in the
newspapers. as the working men
would not have time to take half a
day off to hunt through them in the
City Hall.
No Home Rule In Cnarter.
John NJ. Dorney said that while
the people present appreciated the
work performed by the charter COM
missioners, the charter, while in
many ways a large stride forward
was an absolute failure in bringing
home rule TO Wilmington. He said
THE rest of the city employees can be
removed by Council, but where are
we when it comes to removing the
Council? ! fail to see that becoming
a councillor makes a man a fountain
of wisdom ! have met several and
was impressed with their wisdom but
mighty little. The Board of Admins
tration can fire the General Superin-
tendent but we can't fire the board.
In regard to the department of law
Mr.. Dorney said, I'VE may have tC
TO appoint a man to take care OF us
if we have to go to a club"
Mr.. Dorney said at least the fact
that the people could vote on the
charter. which they could not do on
the State Constitution. was a steI
forward, but he was sick of the ''hali
a loaf better than no bread" saying
If a. set of men had been taking three.
quarters of his loaf for twenty-five
years, and he had got them ON the
run, he wasn't going to compromise
with any half loaf. He said the in
ltiative and referendum was the only
way to get home rule.
Caleb +. Burchenal said the charter
was a great advance over what the
people now have, and that while the
citizens might not like it all, it wal
better 20 take a step forward thar
stand still. They couldn't get every
thing all at once, he said. AS to tn,
$40 fee, the speaker said it cost
man more than that to become a can
didate now, and if man could ge
fifty men interested enough to sigl
his petition, they certainly woulC
help him get the $40.
Mr.. Burchenal said getting away
from the nominating Of candidates by
party conventions was a step forward
DIR. Moses J. 5. Abels said he was ;
Socialist, but the meeting was no
called for discussion of Socialism
Single Tax, etc. but for discussion o
the charter and he thought the people
ought 10 use brains and not passion
IN the discussion He reminded then
that the new charter would be pro
posed to the Legislature anyhow, with
out their vote if not with it and th'
Legislature would have the final say
He was in favor of the new charter
he said, not because be was in low
with II, but because it was a step for
ward, and they would only be able L
get few progressive policies at
time He said all progressive citie
agreed that there was less room 70
illegal methods and more chance L
place responsibility when Legislative
and administrative functions wer
separated. He said if too many goo,
things were put in the charter i
might not get past the Legislature.
DR.. Abels reminded the audienc
that they lived i'm a state which still
had the whipping-post and the voter
assistant, and they needn't expect to-
much reform all at once Besides, h
didn't think it fair play for the speak
ers to indulge i'm PERSONAL insinua
tions as they had done
Frank Houck, the next speaker. SAT-
he had been secretary of the Socialis
party here a number Of years, and h