Evening journal., 1913-04-19
SATURDAY. APR. Ie. 1913.
no THE WILMINGTON VOTERS.

rT>HOSE who In sympathy with the efforts Of
4 the Wilmington Terminal Company and is as
sociates to set away with the Wilmington waterfront
the Delaware river unde tho outrageous Bulkhead
law Of 1901 arc frightened by the growth Of public
sentiment in this city in favor OF the municipal
ership and control Of that State land and Federal
hulkhead and fiji. Their latest suggestion is that you
be prevented from voicing your views upon this high
ly important question at the June election The plan
is to attack the constitutionaN Of the Referendum
Law Of 1907 under which the waterfront question
would be referred directly the people Of the city for
decision by popular vote. They say frankly there is
danger you may decide that the city should own the
waterfront They would resort to court proceedings
20 prevent you having any voice in the matter
Nor are they mistaken in the thought that will
cast your votes against the Wilmington Terminal Com
pany and It's getting away with the 600
OF state land the Federal bulkhead and FIJI and the
control Of the commercial future of the city Of VIII
minEton. The two questions that will be propoundod
to you on the waterfront question will sweep the city
like prairie FIRE. A has shown that you
eager to demonstrate that you alive to the issue.
Men representing almost one-sixh Of the entire vote
of Wilmington signed petitions for the submission of
the questions to the electorate in June. Fully four
hhs OF voters will ballots in favor Of test
ing the constutonality of the Bulkhead Law of 1901
and if necessary prevent the Wilmington Terminal
Company getting away with the valuable state and
Federal property. to condemn strip of land along
the marsh bank TO make of the city of Wilmington the
littoral There is question relative TO that
Republicans Democrats, National Progressiyes Pro-
gressves Prohbiuonists, Socialists, Single Taxers-in
TACT of all shades of political heliefare repre-
seh.ed on the petition that has been filed with May
or Howell for the submission of these questions to the
voters under the Referendum act OF 1907 They are
regarded great public questions and not as party
questions. It will fare i'll with any public official who
attempts to stand between the great Of Will
mington voters and expression Of opinion upon
them.
The Wilmington Terminal Company and its
cates succeeded in throttng public sentiment in the
state Senate They cannot throttle it in the ballot
box. The people Of Wilmington have a to settle
with them IL will be settled They know IT, That
is why some OF their partisans and apologists
suggesting that effort be made to nullify the Refer
endum Law Of 1907 so you may not be permitted to
pass judgment upon the waterfront exploiters next
June
Let those who would attack that Referendum Law
remember that to deny you the right to vote upon
those questions only will whet your determination to
have this waterfront question settled right and for
all time. Let them also remember that as soon as
they start an obstructive game like that and attempt
10 deny you a right Of decision which you now have
under law the result will be that will insist
that be elected who has pledged himself to
carry the purposes that referendum which may
be done independently OF the Referendum Law. There
is nothing TO prevent the Bulkhead Law Of 1901
being tested in the courts There is nothing to
prevent the condemnation that strip OF land. Nor
will there be after the election The action in June will
be merely to show the sentiment of the community by
OF votes and to give TO the Mayor and City
Council the mandate of the people those two high
ly important public questions.
The fact that between 500 and 500 men have enrolled
members OF the Wilmington Waterfront Association
and that within two weeks than $500 sign
ed the petition TO have the questions submittd il
June. shows the sentiment in the matter. The presen
suggestion OF the friends the Wilmington Termins
Company and its associates that the Referendum
OF 1907 be attacked in effort to prevent that vot
being taken shows that they too. last have awak
ened to the fact that Wilmington is overwhelmingly
opposed TO the Terminal Company and its associate
getting away with that public property. and over
whelmingy in favor Of the city having it for the pull
lie benefit