Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1913-01-07

When such legislation is practically
agreed upon by the people of the city,
the members of the Legislature from
other parts of the State should not
deny them their just and reasonable
rights. 10 is not for me to state, or
even suggest, specifically, the char
acter of the laws that should be en-
acted to promote the city's best in
terests and accomplish the desired
ends. But certain it is that the power
OF home rule and self government
should be more literally conceded,
and such laws enacted as the consen-
sus of enlightened and competent
opinion In the city shall determine is
for its best interest A strong feeling
has existed for some time that a new
charter for Wilmington was not only
necessary but indispensable 10 the
proper development of the city and
the good Of its people. No doubt
there Is sufficient ground for. such
feeling. and If there can be sub
stantial agreement upon what such
charter shall be, Il should no long
err be withheld The good sitizens Of
municipality should be able to deter
mine what they want and need in the
way Of legislation, and perhaps there
would be no difficulty IN doing so II
political considerations We're put
aside In dealing with purely local
and business affairs why should not
such considerations be ignored not
only by the people. but by the Leg
! islature as well? A municipality is a
corporation. the primary purpose of
which is to attend to the city's busi-
ness. Why, then, should it not be con-
Quoted like any other well managed
business corporation
The last Session of the Legislature
did, in my Judgment do all that could
be expected of it in relation TO a
charter for the City OF Wilmington
It passed an Act providing for a Com
mission to be appointed by the Mayor
of said City and the Governor OF the
State. of nine citizens of Wilmington
whose duty It should be to frame a
charter to be submitted to the voters
OF the city. All of this was done and
the charter so framed was rejected
Whether another effort should be
made I'm this direction, ] am not pre-
pared to state. I am satisfied, how.
ever. that If the Legislature can as
certain the kind of d charter that
majority of the citizens OF Whining
ton want that appropriate legisla
tons will be promptly enacted
The last session of the Legislature
also provided for a Board of Public
Service Commission for the City o
Wilmington, and l am iaformed tina
p some amendments are needed to thii
act in order that the work that Com
mission was expected to do may b
effective. strongly urge upon tn
Legislature a most careful consider
alton Of this subject
Revenue and Tax Commission.
The last session of the Legislature
wisely provided for the continuance
! of the Revenue and Tax Commission
The good work formerly done by tn
Commission, and the Importance {
that which remained to be done, full
I. justified this action The investigi
, lions and recommendations of tn
Commission has brought to the after
I ton of the Legislature many kinds
= business which paid little or no /
cense to the State and the result ha
> been a large annual increase in th
: States revenue.
. understand the Commission wi
recommend certain important legi.
lation at this session and | urge II
y most careful consideration.
In nv message of January 3, 1871
stated that I thought III impor
70 ant that the commission shall be cor
I. rtinued so that the Legislature, Z
u well as the people. may profit by Oh
7 investigations and suggestions Whle
E its members will be able to mai
e from time TO time.'
e This Commission has now been
Il existence six years at an annual co
e Of less than one thousand dollars az
q lelieve the work done by 1t Just
= fees the making of some permanel
l. Commission to carry on this Wor
l. Perhaps the number might now be T.
N duccd inasmuch as the greater pa
Ie of the work has been done, and su
4 the work done as effectively as her
II tofore.
= The Tuberculosis Hospital.
We have heard considerable discu
q sion recently relative to the Tuberc
~ losis Hospital, which the Commissi'
:, proposes to erect. and | want to sa
IL in that connection, that this So
!, which the Commission is taking
T., prevent the spread and check q
y, course of this dreadful disease, OFT
% spoken of as the plague of our cou
- try. is a most worthy one and shOu
~ receive the earnest support of all o
citizens. desire to recommend &
~ passage Of a law giving to the Boa
~ of Pardons of this State the right
, transfer from the New Castle Coun
% Warehouse TO the Tuberculosis Tic
&c initial prisoners who have petition
I'D for a pardon on the ground that ~
er are suffering with tuberculosis, !
le such period as they are Wiling
" remain there and conform TO
ry rules bv a probational commutau
Of their sentences. or some oth
IS suitable method.
n The New state ArmOry.
~ This building. as you all pro
-. ably know. is located in the re
= Of the state House and is nc
- CONNECTED. The need OF such
es building in Dover has long be
felt bv those connected with I
ORGANIZED Militia and other state
he dcials. The. architectural design j
nd called forth praise from many w
ON have seen it. aud it will be an adm
nc able place 10 hold the various ST.
on functions which take place at
u lcapitol. The Organized Militia Of
~ state which viii claim this buildl
at rs its home. was never i'm a bet
bo state of efficiency than today. Its
~. icers. who have worked hard TO bri
- n nh 10 its present high standard q
y" entitled to the praise and CONNER
stion Of the people. The encampmi