Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1921-04-07

hearing at which not one WORD was saih
against the charter. Senator Itobertaon
and his associates would become parties
to "A partisan scheme which would fe~
suit In the hopless mutilation OF our
amended bill so that It could not be ac-
cepted by any friend of real charter re-
form. Nor was there any Suggestion
from the Republican side of the housa
that a plan had been devised by pol
iticians who desired to continue then
partisan rule in Wilmington To line up
the Republican members of the ioWet
body In "A solid block to destroy what
hope remained to us of charter ieRis-
lation in the public interest.
Disregard of Public Wishes.
AS view 1t, there has been n shame
full disregard and defiance of public
opinion i'm our city. This was SO mag
rant as To be almost without parailei
I'm our political and governmental an
nails. Ii seems to me that IL cats ior
a stinging rebuke Mt the hands OF the
people of Wilmington. There no longer
is any hope of getting charter hlii
through the present Legislature ihere-
fore. think II is the duty OF all OF u.s.
In view of what has occurred to decide
now what the friends of charter reform
Shall we perfect n permanent organi-
zation which will continue to hgithte
for "A new charter from this time until
the people have received what thty
want: or shall we sit quietly until the
next session of the Legislature ap-
proachcs and then begin an eleventh
hour agitation. which probably will be
followed by like sinister legislative re-
sults2
Fight Must Go On.
NV experience in this fight has con
vinced me that If il is 10 bo won, II
must bc through organized. system
atized and never ceaaiug agitation, be-
ginning now and carried on without
fear or favor from now until that time
when the politicians recognize the right
Of the people of Wilmington 10 Say what
they need and what they want in the
shape Of municipal government ant
until the Legislature is composed oi
men who recognize the voice Of the poo
! pie as being paramont to the voice ~ 9
/ small political group which looks upor
/ the city Of wilmington as n patronage
dispensing adjunct IN their political or
/ ga niZation. rather than aa a business
! corporation the affairs Of which shnuit
+ 10 managed by business men and aloui
/ businesslike lines
have laid the events ~ the past he
fore you. and now invite expressions q
opinion relative 10 tho question Of wha
course self respecting citizens Of on
/ city should take IN the future. II w
are 10 continue tho fight from now on
| il will mean work sone of u doubtles
Of au unpleasant nature. II remain
for Won TO say whether Won desire to IL
II. AZ ! view II, IL there he lay dow
IL simply viii moan that tho new chart
or movement win he defeated for year
to come. whereas. If We keep III In
| fight and conduct II along honorable
uncompromising and non partisal
iines, I believe that We can force ney
charter through At the next session q
the Legislature.
In conclusion | wish 20 thank yo
one and all for the hearty support an
cooperation you have given me IN thi
movement II has been a pleasure r.
mo Ia work with you. while nnr pres
cnt efforts have met with defeat v
should not he discouraged for the caus
stul lives and our labors have not bee
in vain.
Respectfully submitted
Leon Walker. chairman.