Evening journal., 1915-05-18

At the beginning OF the city campaign,
the Democracy of the city, through its can
didates, resfhrms it's faith in the people, and
in the principle that no government Of the
city of Wilmington can be just except ac-
cordind as it is administered in the interests
Of all the people, and is responsive TO tne
will Of the citizens. We believe that the
proper theory Of municipal government IS
that it is purely business matter IN wmch
the capital is supplied by the taxpayers, and
the public officials arc merely trustees
charged with the duty Of managing the ousi-
ness to the best advantage Of all the people
II entrusted with the government Of the city
at the coming election, we pledge ourselves
to exert every effort within our power to put
the government on business footing, and
to restore such economy in the financial az
fairs of the city as is consistent with efti-
cient service.
We charge that the Republican admnistra-
ton Just drawing TO close has been entire
ly disregardful Of the will Of the citizens.
Two years ago the people of the city on
referendum vote declared emphatically that
steps should be taken by the incoming gov
ernment to make waterfront for the city
Of Wilmington reality, but notwithstand-
ing the clear voice Of the people in this be-
half, absolutely nothing has been done. We
deny that any obstacle has been in the way
Of obeying tho peoples command except the
hardened disposition Of the administration,
or Of an unseen power" behind the admin
istration to ignore the people altogether.
The excuse has been offered that the law Of
fered no way by which to proceed. We deny
this, but assuming its truth, law was pass
ed by the recent Legislature presumably for
the purpose of supplying the alleged def
cheney in the law, but notwithstanding, moth
ing whatever has been done under this law
If successful at the coming election, prompt
action will be taken to determine the status
in the matter Of the ownership Of the Della
ware riverfront in accordance with the ex-
pressed will Of the people, and to proceed to
the realization Of Wilmington's dream for
forty years or more by the acquisition of a
frontage for the city upon the Delaware
river, our action in this matter being deter
mined in scope and extensivoness by due
consideration for the taxpayers of the city.
We further charge that the present adj
ministration has been obviously and shame
fully unmindful of the real interest of the
citizens and taxpayers Large sums Of
money have been expended for an nvestga-
tion Of the Police Departments and so far as
we can see without definite results Of benefit
TO the city Besides, other large amounts of
the taxpayers money have been expended
in connection with a new assessment-a
work which, however desirable II seems to
us, might we'll have been done by men Of
our own city who knew conditions firsthand
and at much reduced cost. The foregoing
are but examples Of the high-handed man
ner in which the financial affairs Of the city
have been managed The result has been
that taxes have increased until they have be-
come positive burden to owners Of prop
erty, and Of necessity extending in their OPP
preston TO the renter who not infrequenty
is required TO pay higher rent than hereto
fore, nor is there any indication that the
taxpayers are to be given any greater con-
sideration in the future On the contrary, a
statute passed by the recent Legislature,
leads to the belief that the increases in tax
alton already experienced are but begin
ming.
The statute above referred TO authorizes
the city to borrow upon the credit Of the city
and to issue bonds to the extent Of ten per
cent of the assessed value of all the prop
erty in the city. We urge upon the people
that such authority in the hands Of those
who have already shown a settled disposi-
tion to ignore the peoples interest is a dis
tinct menace to the citizens. We know the
future only by the past, and judging from
the past, we can readily see that a continu-
anee of the present regime may very prob
ably result in overwhelming the people anc
crushing their initiative and industry under
the burden of still further increases il
taxes.
The attention of the citizens is called t.
the fact that although there has been
current report for many months past tha
the books of former tax collector for on,
Of the districts in the city show a shortag'
on the part of that official still ulaccountc,
for, and although one member Of City Coun
ell has recently presented the matter to tina