Evening journal., 1915-05-22
To the Citizens


At the beginning Of the city campaign
the Democracy Of the city, through its cam
didates. reafirms its faith in the people and
In the principle that no government OF the
city Of Wilmington can be just except ac-
cording as il is administered in the interests
of all the people, and is responsive to the
will of the citizens. We believe that the
proper theory Of municipal government is
that il is purely business matter in which
the capital is supplied by the taxpayers, ana
the public officials are merely trustees
charged with the duty of managing the busi-
ness to the best advantage Of all the people.
II entrusted with the government Of the city
at the coming election, we pledge ourselves
10 exert every effort within our power to put
the government on a business footing, and
to restore such economy in the financial af-
fairs Of the city as is consistent with ehi-
cent service.
We charge that the Republican administra-
ton just drawing TO a 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 a 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 the 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 Wimington'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 extensiveness by due
consideration for the taxpayers Of the city.
We further charge that the present adj
fully unmindful Of the real interest Of the
citizens and taxpayers. Large sums Of
money have been expended for an investiga-
tion of the Police Department, 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 assessments
work which, however desirable, It seems TO
US, might we'll have been done by men Of
our own city who knew conditions frsthand,
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 a positive burden TO owners Of prop
erty, and Of necessity extending in their op-
preston to the renter who not infrequently
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,
statute passed by the recent Legislature,
leads TO the belief that the increases in tax
alton already experienced are but a begin
ming.
The statute above referred to authorizes
the city to borrow upon the credit Of the city
and 10 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 dispos-
ton to ignore the peoples interest is dis
tinct menace to the citizens. We know the
future only by the past, and judging from
the past, we can readily see that continu-
ance of the present regime may very prob
ably result in overwhelming the people and
crushing their initiative and industry under
the burden of still further increases in
taxes.
The attention Of the citizens is called to
the fact that although there has been
current report for many months past that
the books Of former tax collector for one
of the districts in the city show a shortage
on the part of that official still u1accounted
for, and although one member Of City Coun-
Gil has recently presented the matter to that