Evening journal., 1915-01-06

clpal election held on the first Satur-
day in June. The five candidates re-
ceiving the highest vote are elected
Commissioners. Provisions to pre-
vent fraud and corruption Publica-
ton Of election and campaign expen-
ses required
"The sections on Initiative provide
that If an Initiative petition be signed
by 25 per cent. of the voters of the
last preceding general election then
the Board shall either pass the ordin-
ance or submit IL to a special cleo
tion. but If less than 25 per cent and
more than 10 per cent. sign the petit
tiOn then the ordinance shall be pre-
sented at the next general municipal
election. There shall not be more
than one special election in six
months The Board may submit ordi-
nanccs 10 the voters at any city cleo
tion.
"The emergency ordinances must
be passed by a fOur-hfths vote. 9th
erwise the ordinance does not 60 into
effect for thirty days. During this
period if Referendum petition
signed by 10 per cent of the voters
be pre- tnted then the Board shall
either repeal the ordinance or sub
NIT IL to the voters either at the
next general election or at a special
election if Il should so desire.
There are certain general pro-
visions included in Sections 81 TO
los inclusive which are not funda-
mental but are necessary for the
smooth operation of the city govern
ment
IAN Election Board is appointed by
the Board OF Commissioners to carry
ON the elections and make rules and
regulations regarding the same.
"A Civil Service Board as provi-
ded, together with ample civil SER
vice provisions largely following the
form adopted by Dayton, Ohio. and
/ to some extent the recommendations
Of the National Civil Service Reform
] League.
City Court, Municipal Judge and
/ School Laws are not included.
/ Amendments TO the charter may
] be made by a majority vote of the
/ Commissioners with a Referendum
vote.
"A schedule Is given to provide for
a smooth change-over between the
old government and the new
"The Wilmington Civic Association
considers only the following points
fundamental in this charter:
l. Complete local self-govern-
ment for the City Of Wilmington.
2. "Non-p -partisanship in local
affairs. which is obtained by cleo
ting the commissioners at large
and on a non-partisan ballot.
8. THE centralized authority
Is secured by the single elective
board which has full legislative
and administrative powers.
4. "The efficiency. economy and
progress that can be gotten
through the City Manager subject
to the legislation and direction of
the elective Board OF COmmis-
sioners.
8. Popular control of the very
full powers conveyed thru the
instrumentality OF the Initiative
and Referendum.
These are the fundamental fea
lures which our Charter COMMITTEES
feels cannot be changed without de
strOying the balance and fundamen
] Aul vi TIC WNOlt AliNA tNAs 81
other provisions Of the charter viii
details and terminology are subiec
to adjustment to meet the best aver
age viewpoint of those co-operatinl
in the securing of the new charter.
Accordingly the problem before
you today simplifies itself into tw'
parts as follows:
First. is the present charter o
the City of Wilmington satisfactor!
I'm its present form or with sligh
amendments; or. second, does tn
fundamental form of the charter pre-
pared by the Wilmington Civic Asso
citation meet the views Of this gather
ing?'
It was decided TO appoint a commit
tee Of three TO take up with the FEEDER,
authorities at Washington the questio
of foreign shipments of freight an
charges for such shipments.
A letter was read from Mrs. j.
Forgv, of the Associated. Charitie
finance committee. thanking the Men
bership Council for its gift Of $3.50
, relieve destitution among the po'
prior 20 Christmas.
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