Evening journal., 1913-02-06
URGE CITY
GOVERNMENT
BY COMMISSION
Civic Association and Refer
endum League Want COun-
Gil TO Back the Bill
TAKE ACTION ON
SUBJECT TONIGHT


There was largely attended meet
ing OF representative citizens includ-
ing members of the Wilmington Civic
Association and rne Initiative and Re-
ferendum League in City Council
chambers last night the meeting hav-
ing been arranged by Council to hear
those interested in the proposed act
relating to the regulation and govern
ment of cities, towns, villages and
municipalities, within this state. as
drafted by the Referendum League
President of Council Samuel H.
Benson, Jr, presided and the pro-
posed charter bill was discussed from
every angle The measure is a gener-
al enabling act effecting the whole
state and not Wilmington alone, for
throughout the draft of the bill Will
mington Is not mentioned. If adopted
by the legislature it would mean that
if the people of Wilmington wanted to
try the commission form Of govern
ment they could do so by the vote of
the people without further legislation.
After six years, if they found they did
not like it, they could revert to the
present form Of government.
After hearing the discussion the
members Of Council who are asked to
give the measure their approval be-
fore il is sent to Dover for action by
the Legislature, it was announced
that the Council would take up the
subject as a committee Of the whole
following the regular meeting of
that body tonight, and would take
action at that time.
Irving Warner, president of the
Civic Association was the first speak
er, and to save the time and trouble
of reading the whole draft of the
charter, he offered a brief but concise
summary of the act in which each
section of the proposed bill Is given
briefly as follows:
Section l. A general enabling act
for adoption by any city of the State.
City retains its name, boundaries, for
mer rights and privileges, etc. Further
powers of complete self-government
conveyed, covering every phase of
municipal government. Bond issue
limited to 10 per cent of assessed
valuation of property.
Section 2. Commissioners serve for
two years. All former Offices of city
inconsistent with this act abolished
Other officers and employees OF city
continue their positions. Municipal
Court of the city of Wilmington not
affected.
Section g. There shall be three
commissioners for cities under 5000
and five commissioners for cities
over 5000 The Board of Commits
sioners shall select one of their num-
Der as mayor" who has no vote
power Provides for duties Of the
board
Section A. Board possesses all ex-
ecutive. administrative and legisla-
tive powers. Divides the city into
different departments each with a
commissioner as its head. Sliding
scale Of compensation according to
population of city Subordinate boards
and Offices may be created and com
pensation fixed
Section 8 Provides for regular
meetings Of board open to public
Section g. Provides method of pass
ing ordinances and conveying fran
chises
Section T. Commissioners cannot
be directly or indirectly interested IN
supplying materials. etc, to city or to
public service corporations.
Section s. All former ordinances
remain in effect
Section 9. Provides for non-parti-
san election of commissioners and
prohibits paid electioneering. Cam
paign extremes must be published
Appointive officers subject to civil SER
vice rules
Section To- Provides for publication
Of financial statement of city.
Section L. Permits new board TO
repeal or alter current appropriations.
Section 70. System Of public in
struction not affected
Section Is. Primary election held
in third Saturday Of May. using gem
eral election laws and officers. Nomi-
nation by petition Of one-half Of one
per cent. of vote. but not less than
twenty-five signers. Commissioners
who are candidates for recollection