Evening journal., 1917-03-08
CITY CHARTER BILL
NOT SATISFACTORY
Lawmakers Object TO Adult
ting Property and APP
pointive Officer
Sections
FRIENDS AGREE
TO MAKE CHANGES

Most Of the opposition to the pro-
posed new charter for Wilmington
contained in House Bill No. 500 is TO
the provisions giving additional legis-
latve powers to City Council, accord
ing to the opinions expressed at tbs
meeting in Hotel dupont last night OF
citizens In conference with members
of the General Assembly. This oppo-
sition was voiced first by Senator
Hickman, who eXcla med upon the
reading of the paragraph providing
for assessing abutting property own.
ers for public improvement:
81. never would vote for such a
proposition.
II am opposed to any such propo
sition,'' said Senator Hickman and
further than this refused 10 give any
explanation.
objection also was made to the pro-
vision that administrative officers
should be appointed. This opposition
was led by Representative McNabb,
who declared Il was a principal for
which our forefathers had fought that
the citizens should be represented by
their elected officials.
81 do not believe in so many APP
pointive Offices and shall oppose
provisions OF a bill fixing their ap-
pointment," he said.
James O'Kane, heading a delegation
! from the Central Labor Union, sup
ported Representative McNabb in this.
saying he 0elt there could not be suf-
hcient representation OF the people
unless officials we're elected
William r. Kurtz, friend OF the
proposed bill explained that the pro
visions for appointive administrative
officers had been made In accordance
with what he believed to be the best
authority on modern city government
1T is no excuse that we should con
tinue TO do things in a wrong way
because our forefathers did said Mr.
Kurtz.
Representative McNabb declared tbs
principles of Americans being per
mitted to elect their governing ON
Gals was inviolable. A sharp Ill
was then INDUCED in between Repre-
sentative McNabb and several pres
ent. regarding the matter CT havinI
appointive administrative officers re
sponsible 10 the people and durini
this discussion Mr.. McNabb eXclaim
ed: III it were not for this princips
Of electing city and State officials,
should not be here"
At this point there was some discus
sion on the matter of reducing tn
number Of members of the City Cour
Gil. Representative McNabb contend
ing he would rather take his chance
OF being elected in a ward and of b'
ing backed by the influence OF n
ward than of being elected as a men
Der OF the City Council at large Wit
the possibility that there might be a.
four regular Councilmen not to mel
ton the president Of the Council fro
his ward.
Representative Connolly took al
[ vantage Of the Occas on 70 poke Sc
eral sly digs at Representative Nj
Nabb regarding political matter
. many Of which provoked a good de-
Of laughter. The diversion place
every one in good humor and brob
up a debate that seemed to beoomin
serious.
Mr., Kurtz declared he would rattle
r lose the provisions giving enlarge
p legislative powers to the City Counc
n than that the bill should not pass.
n Il think we can eliminate the par;
. graphs 10 which there is decided o.
II position" he said, and suggested u
y elimination of the entire section n
o 81 which contained most of the par
graphs to which objection was mat
il by so doing it were possible to pa
the rest of the measure.
The meeting finally passed
r resolution voicing the sense OF q
% meeting in approval OF the bill
read with the exception Of SectiC
J. No. 81. which contains the provision
" enlarging the legislative powers
III the City Council, but only so far
i the paragraphs Of that section we
l. opposed by citizens
rs There does not appear to be a
great public clamor for these pro-
sions," said Mr.. Kurtz, land I so
as I am concerned, am perfectly wi
= ing to let those provisions go if
is can obtain a partial reimbursement
g many other matters
l. Only Representative Connolly a
is McNabb and Senator Hickman Of
20 legislators we're present. Represent
e. tive Downward could not attend {
D. conference because OF his duties
the committee meeting OF the g
Council.
Irving Warner read the bill, 81
ton by section, the legislators pr
he ent discussing them and Mr.. KuT
IS who drew the bill, explaining [
at sections as they were brought up.