Evening journal., 1921-05-31
SEES ISSUE in
CITY CHARTER
Leon Walker, Chairman
of Citizens Committee,
Writes to Candidates
SEEKS ANSWER TO
CERTAIN QUESTIONS

Leroy 1afNtAs itpunlNdH NdhulNhAe
for mayor. and Thomas +. Bayard,
Democratic candidate for mayor:
Genertl Citizens Charter Committee,
Wilmington, Del, May so, 1921:
Thomas +. Bayard, ESQ. Demo-
cratic candidate for Mayor;
Leroy Harvey. Esq. Republican
candidate for Mayor, Whining
ton. Del:
Gentlemen:
AS chairman Of the General Citi-
zens' Charter Committee, having
in charge the recent effort to secure
new charter for Wilmington.
have been asked whether the COM
mittee intends to carry on the move
ment for a new charter, and, in
view Of the approaching municipal
election. what steps we are going to
take TO secure the election OF those
officials who will sincerely support
the efforts Of the citizens Of Will
mington to secure a new charter at
the next session Of the Legislature
two years hence.
Under ordinary circumstances 1
would hesitate to answer these
questions for I believe It is not with
in the province Of the committee to
enter into. and Il certainly has been
our effort at all times to keep the
charter movement free from all
partisan alliances However. in
view OF the fact that by resolution
duly adopted at the last meeting OF
the Citizens Committee It was de-
cided to continue the committee as
a permanent organization, and fur
thermore. by reason Of the action of
many Of the organizations cooper
ating with the committee in this
movement, that il was their ex-
pressed desire to continue the fight
our efforts. / believe II is due the
friends of charter reform that a re-
ply be made to their Inquiries
As I view the situation 1t becomes
apparent that il the action Of the
various sixty-fve business, labor.
civic. religious, social and fraternal
Organizations, representing a men,
bership of some $4,000 citizens. who
endorsed and requested the enact
lAtnA ANAU law the AllALtNN AaIdIlEl
bill. was right two months ago. then
the cause is still right today. and it
demands the same enthusiastic
support from these same men and
women. II the defeat Of the Citi-
zens' Charter bill by the politicians
Of the Republican party. and l know
whereof 1 speak. aroused righteous
Indignation. then nothing has trans.
pircd since that action which shoult
modify that same sense of injure,
citizenship.
/ say nothing has transpired {,
lessen the wrong. on the othe
hand since the defeat Of the charter
the First District Committee. claim.
ing 10 be the official organization OF
the Republican party of this city.
by resolution adopted and duly pub
lished in the daily papers, have de-
nounced all OF these self-respecting
citizens and various organizations.
clubs and societies who dared 10
sponsor the movement looking to the
future welfare OF our city. Further
more, not being satisfied by adding
Insult to injury these same citizens
and organizations are to be crushed.
fearlessly and relentlessly, and the
very foundations Of the Republican
party, which many of these same
citizens In the past have helped &c
build up, caused 10 tremble. in order
that the politicians who defeate,
the Citizens Charter bin may con
tinue to have their sway.
What then should the friends o
good governments do-run to cove
in fear and trembling. or stand on
in the open and exercise their righ
OF citizenship at the polls? Wha
Is the issue-"A new charter 10
Wilmington? ?" Yes. primarily. an
OF equal importance at this time
necessary. "City above Party"
Therefore. as you have been nom
mated By your respective parties {
be their standard bearers. il is nor
Up to the citizens at the coming eiec
ton 10 select one Of you who sha'
officially represent them for tn
next two years. Each OF you hav
made public statements through
the press as 70 your position on .
new charter from which 1 beg L,
quote Ga part as follows.
Mr.. Thomas +. Bayard. 9Th,
proposed new charter. which wa,
recently submitted TO the Legisla.
ture. from my own knowledge. pre-
sents great step forward towards
helping the people Of this city "a
efficiently and comfortably manage
their own affairs Ny stand. there
fore, Is upon the new city charter
proposition as finally presented By
Inc Citizens Charter Committee
and for that charter, whether sue
eessiul IN the nomination and cleo
non or not, / shall continue TO de.
vote my efforts until this vital meas.
ure so greatly needed and so mani.
lest.E desired by an the good peonl,
OF wilmington, becomes a law
Nlr' Leroy Harvey. u was for IN,
Niu]ens' Charter. I am for No.
city charter that viii give ms a., 80
homlcH and efficient poverrr,.,,
and mat will put the business 'affst,
OF me city on a purely business no.,
and II elected i propose to mini,
these two years TO study the chart,
question, with The aid OF the he
authorities I can find in the country
II would appear that both Of y,
we're for the Citizens Charter. an
both are now in favor OF a new cha
ter, but your statements differ In n
important respect. namely the pa
tlcular form Of charter which y
now favor.
Your statement, Mr.. Bayard,
specific.
Your statement Mr.. Harvey. is /