Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1921-01-08
Circulation Every 1A10S
Evening Yesterday i AOO
SATURDAY, JANUARY S, 1921.
Now Push the Charter Movement.

The very generous approval extshueu
4ho ,,or,eed commission charter for
Wilmington Mt tho meeting oi the civic
,o5v committees, Thursday night. should
10 accepted as conclusive evidcnce that
fairly represonts public sentiment. These
committees were appointed for general
consideration Of the subject, and there Is
no doubt they received such expressions
from other citizens as justified them in
,ccepting the five-commissioners plan "i
city government as coming very near 20
what n majority Of the people really de
sire. An approving vote Of 20 m favor o'
this plan to only two in opposition, with
Two moro not voting. was almost an
unanimous expression.
II IS matter Of regret that the charter
,,,,,eslrc Is not fully prepared, ready Tor
,,c.ontatlon 70 the Legislature, but win
H.. favoring sentiment already mani
icztPd. II should be- easily possible 70 nave
i drawn I'M IN complete form at an early
lete-not later than next week promptly
spprovrd m full and sent 70 the lesls'a-
tnrr Then the members Of the latter
l,od, viii have ample time to give con
s,deratior 20 the measure, go as to prepare
themselves for passing upon It finally
Tho agencies in charge Of the i've
commissioners measure having reached
conclusion in such a satisfactory and en-
eouraeing manner. should now enter
actively upon a campaign for the enact
mcnt Of this promising new charter iof
Wilmington They should realize the
vnrl that ia before them 1t Will not do
to r~st content with indorsing an I'M
portant and efficient charter and then
Lpsvinr Il entirely 10 the chance OF ap'
pruval or disapproval by the Legislature
And shove all else, it viii be fatal mrs
take 70 assume that q messure so salts
factory as TO command their approval sC
readily will encounter no serious op'
ts,eiiion IN it's course through the devious
wavs Of legislation az Dover
If tho final result depended entirely
ur,on the unbiased Judgment Of the mem
hers Of the Legislature, formed from then
own consideration Of the bill on its merits
there would be no difficulty. But 1t should
be understood that this new charter
measure. despite its manifold merits, VII
encounter opposition, insidious and under
mining. which may have a powerful pos
siblv disastrous. effect unless combatte'
bv a vigorous and consistent campaign
FOR approval While it may safely he nc
eepted as popular and satisfactory 70
treat majority Of our people, IT will b.
opposed by selfish personal interests. ant
possihIv bv some partisan interests tina
NAV hope for opportunities for partisan
gain bv it's serious impairment CT even 1T
absolute defeat,
What is now needed is an cttectIv
organization of friends Of the new charte
measure. fer the purpose of inauRuratln
and continuing a vigorous campaign 10
IT'S enactment. Supported by move
ment of this character, there Is ever,
reason TO believe it will succeed. 1t ap
peals strongly by its undoubted merits ant
us possibilities for good in future ad
ministrations of our municipal affair:
But it will not do TO permit 1t TO max
IT'S own fight at Dover Such polio
would invite danger.
So let all friends OF The new charte
measure come together. effect an organ
zation, and GO TO work, heartily and er
Enthusiastically, for Its enactment. II the
do this. victory will be assured.