Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1921-04-20

was absolutely non-partisan, and was |
supported by n clear majority or our |
people. without regard to political af-
citations.
No doubt our inquiring correspondent |
knows the fate of this excellent and
carefully prepared reform charter
measure. Rsmorselessly killed by the |
votes of every Republican member OF
the Legislature acting supinely under
the orders of party bosses In Whining
ton.
The old and vicious system. therefore.
continues and under il n municipal cleo
tion will be held on the first Saturday
in June. Perhaps we may. at this com
ing election, have an exemplitication
of how the people look upon this ruth
less brutal partisan suppression of
! their desire for real municipal reform,
when they cast their votes. Perhaps
/ not.
! And now to sndeavor to answer the
questions propounded by our corre-
! spondent:
| No. l. Mainly we suppose, because
! the Democratic party gave no better
administration OF municipal affairs. as
a ruie, than the Republican party. ow-
ing to the defects of the system. and
a natural desire TO make all the political
profit possible.
No 8. Our inference is that the al
legged inefficient collection of the state
income tax arises mainly from desire
10 spare the feelings of taxables as
much as possible. so that they shall not
become angry at the RepubliCan ad-
ministration and vote accordingly. Also.
inviting this calamity. from the city Of
Wilmington. and spare the rural tax
ables to whatever extent may be deemed
safe We may be wrong. but this is
how il looks 10 us
No 3 We hardly understand this
question In our recollection the at
torn6y general Of the state Is seldom
called upou for official opinions about
administration details.
No. 4 There is no law in this state
making official records public. The
state treasurer is prohibited from all
lowing much information respecting the
assessment and collection Of the income
tax 10 become public, although there is
no purpose TO conceal information Of
the total revenue collected
No. S. The Levy Court is entirely a
county institution. and has no place in
our municipal system.
No s proposition Of county dtvi-
sion. 10 make a separate county OF wn-
nington and the adjacent hundreds was
proposed and earnestly fought for at
the legislative session OF 1876. but met
with defeat. Since then such q division
has been occasionally suggested. but
never pressed.
No. :. Simply a measure for keeping
sidewalks in good repair. by the Street
and Sewer Department doing the work
when property owners are remiss. and
-.11oe.,,-- e. ,,,-& F,.o,,, +h, ,,-,,,<y-tts.s,
No. s. The county capitation tax is
farce II is required by the State
Constitution. the amount 10 be fixed
by the Levy Courts For political rea-
sons, the latter bodies fixed It at the
absurd rate OF 25 cents per capita, so
that they would have q good excuse for
not collecting 1.-THE expense would
largely exceed the revenue.
No g The abandoned street car tracks
are the personal property of the trolley
company The authorities may compel
their removal.
No TO- There is no provision, by au-
thority. for sanitary straps" or any
other kind of straps. in our street cars
No. Il. There is a local regulation
prohibiting the exposure of food for
sale without protection from dust and
flies. Our correspondent may know
how it is enforced.
We have answered the queries Of our
Interested correspondent TO the best OF
our ability. and hope the result viii be
satisfactory. In conclusion, we con-
graduate him for his fine spirit OF
interest in civic and other administra-
tive affairs. and hope other citizens will
emulate his example We Will en-
deavor to do our part towards keeping
the good work going until the goal Of
reform is reached.
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