Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1918-03-05
TUESDAY, MARCH 5. 1918
More Talk About a Special Session.


There rs more talk about n special
session of the Delaware Legislature Of
1917, to be called by Governor Town
send. Certain influences, il Is said, have
been persistently importuning the COVER
nor To call a special session. and It Is rumor-
cd that he has consented reluctantly
and doubtfully. IN all possibility to com
ply with thelr demands II viii be dIf-
fcrlt for good citizens, who have the
interests of the State at heart. who know
the danger Of special legislative sessions,
and who realize they should hc called
only upon the occasion Of grave cmcr-
grncIos. TO believe the governor has con
scuted to call a special session Of the
Legislature AZ tins tune. when there i no
apparent need for such An unusual and
extraordinary pros lure
The war, ana only the war IS likely
- give occasion Tor special session, and
thuIs far II has not done 81. Nor is there
any probability the war VIII present such
IN occasion The regular session of the
Legislature IN 1917. carefully prepared
iur meeting var emergencies as they
might arise without rcsorting To the
doubtful and dangerous experiment 81
,pccial session Il clothed the governor
With extraordinary powers tor meeting
Emergencies that might ari>c during the
interim between the TcelIa- sessions Of
he General Assembly
The action Of the Legislature II 1917
wAs comprised IN JOINT resolution which
-, forth.
This nation Is in lmmncut danger 81
n.ng drawn INTO the World War, now
-iug 10 dricnd ourselves rom the drprc-
.t.ar> and acgrceslon~ q ) ruthless
r,I-1 power
o4r state !, IL 4 dangerous position
lun lie Atlantic scaboArj md par
ucuiarl exposed q attack, from the
torcIgn enemy
1t is our du'v to place ii 'hc disposal
Of the President ali the available re-
sources Of our state ior use II he national
defence. and our particular interest to
ascertain our resource,
Following tins preamble inc joint
resolution authorizes the governor 10 take
= census of men. material and all other
possible resources OF the State for mill
tary use and 10 ascertain the possible
dangers to our national defcnces which may
exist within the borders Of tins state.
and to employ the necessary agents 10
effectuate the purposes of this rcsolu-
ton"
Also. "The governor Is further au-
thorized as and when the eventuaiities
IN ms judgment require, to mobilize all
or such Of the State troops as are neces-
sary, at some convenient point or points.
and TO equip and maintain the same
Tie is further authorized TO use all the
necessary means to place such troops
with their accoutrencnts and equip
ment, al the disposal Of the President
n It should become necessary, in the
judgment Of the governor, to call ad-
dItional troops, for service either at home |
or abroad, he Is hereby authorized TO /
mobilize, equip and maintain the same, |
and when called by the President, to
place such troops al the disposal Of the |
nation
Aud to this end the resolution further |
authorizes the governor TO draw upon |
the State treasurer, and requires the /
State treasurer 10 pay, such amounts
as the governor shall certify to be ncces-
sary 10 carry out the provisions Of thus
resolution
The manifest purpose Of this JOINT rcso- /
luton. so clear III Its statements. 50 |
ample in It's grants Of authority, Is not to /
be doubted II was 70 enable the COVER /
nor to successfully meet any emergency |
arising from the war without being com
PEELED 70 resort 10 the dangerous and |
expedicnt Of calling a special |
session Of the legislature.
la the light Of these facts, therefore, |
where is there even pretext Of necessity |
Tor special session.