Evening journal., 1913-02-28
BULKHEAD
LAW REPEATER
In COUNCIL
Col. Slower Gets Bill Before
Body as Committee Of
Whole After Debate
ACCOMPANYING PETITION
CAUSES MISUNDERSTANDING

Colonel W. +. Stover, member OF
Council from the Seventh ward, last
night presented in City Council the
bill drawn by City Solicitor Daniel
o. Hastings, at his request, which
provides for the repeating of three
sections of the Bulkhead Act of 1901,
AS a preliminary proceeding to acquir-
ipg the filled in state lands along the
Delaware River in front of Whining
ton. Col Stover offered the bill for
the consideration of Council and after
2 short debate as to whether he was
in order. the communication was re-
ferrcd to Council as a committee of
whole
The question arose that inasmuch
as the petition signed by many of
Wilmington's most prominent bust
ness men and manufacturers which
was presented on Thursday night of
last week urging some such action on
the part of Council had been referred
TO the Council as a committee of the
whole. the matter was now in the
committee Some of the members
seemed to think that Colonel Stover
was going over the committee in pre-
senting a copy of the bill. Council
man j. Frank White of the Sixth ward
wanted to know If the matter was
not in the hands of the committee.
Following the reading of the min
utcs relative TO the action of Council
IN referring the petition presented
last week TO the Council as a com
mittee of the whole President Of
Council Benson ruled that the matter
was in the hands of the committee
aud if Colonel Stover wished to take
il out of the committee he could do
so but it would require a twO-thirds
vote of Council to do so.
Colonel Slower insisted that the
copy Of the bill he had submitted was
an entirely different matter from the
petition presented last week and as a
citizen and a member of Council he
mad the right to offer it.
81 insist that my communication Is
absolutely right" said the Seventh
ward Councilman.
President Benson asked Colonel
Stover whether the bill in question
had been prepared in conjunction
with the petition and the latter re-
piled that he knew nothing about
what those who presented the petit
tion had in mind His bill. he said
was an entirely seperate matter
Councilman James Kane. OF the
Fourth Ward, upheld Colonel Stover
in his contention and thought he was
absolutely right.
Councilman Edward A. Higgins, OF
the Third Ward. said that if the bill
in question had no relation to the pc
tition presented last week. he thought
Colonel Stoyer was taking the proper
course.
President Benson said that he did
not want to take the position of
thwarting action by Council. He
added the bill offered by Colonel
Stover had been read before Council
in committee meeting on Wednesday
night
Colonel Stover remarked that while
IL was true the bill was read in the
committee il was not yet officially be-
fore Council for the body's approval
or disapproval
Mr.. Kane again said he though
Colonel Stover was right and he made
a motion that the bin be referred Ia
Council as a committee OF the whole
This was done.
Colonel Stover's communication in
closing a copy of the bill follows:
To the President and members oI
City Council.
Gentlemen;
The favorable consideration and ap-
proval of the Council of Wilmington
is respectfully requested in 'connec-
tion with the act submitted herewith
entitled "An act to amend chapter 2
volume %, laws of Delaware en-
titled "An act to establish bullShead
wharf and pier lines on the Delaware
river in front of the city, of Whining
ton and vicinity"
Respectfully.
w. f. Stover.
Member Of Council