Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1921-05-21
THE CHARTER CANDIDATE.

Thomas F. Bayard. the Democratic
candidate for Mayor. has declared HIM
self for the Citizens Committee charter
in a plain. straight-fr rom-the-shoulder
statement.
Leroy Harvey. the Republican can
didate for Mayor. has refused to say
whether he approves of the Citizens
Committee Charter, contenting himself
with hazy references to "a charter" and
with delivering euiogies on the past
glories of foreign cities.
AS the Citizens Committee charter
was drawn UP by a bipartisan group
of men, and as it was endorsed by about
so local associations whose mem
berships comprise more than $4,000
voters, therefore Mr. Bayard becomes
more than the Democratic candidate
for Mayor he is also the Charter can
didate. He represents the men Of all
parties who sponsored the Citizens
Committee charter. He should re-
ceive the votes of all citizens, ire
spective of party affiliations, who be-
lieve that the proposed charter is
Necessary if Wilmington is to progress.
The opening speech of Mr.. Bayard's
campaign contained several statements
which are worthy of being reproduced
in these columns. These are:
Because I believe that the form of
charter presented by the Citizens
Committee is the expression of a
vast majority of the voters of Will
nlington as shown by their discus
sions and meetings during the past
winter, and because I agree with
them that this proposed charter
with its non-partisan features will
be cure TO the many handicaps
under which we at present suffer.
i unhesitatingly declare myself for
that charter. My stand is not a
new one, as / was from the begin
ming on the committee which helped
TO frame The charter and urge it's
adoption by the Citizens Commit
tee and its passage by the Legisla-
ture.
Mr. Leroy Harvey, who is to be
the Republican nominee for Mayor,
has made number Of public adj
dresses. in which he states, in SUBJ
stance, that he is for some new
and indefinite city charter and an
economic and efficient method Of
administration OF the city affairs.
Every nominee for the office of
Mayor for the last decade has stated
as much The Republican organiza-
ton was and is against the Citi-
: Zens' Committee charter; the Re-
publican organization is well con-
tent with it if it is not actually re-
sponsible for Mr.. Haryey's coming
nomination. Despite the fact that
opportunity has been given at pub
lie meetings and despite the fact he
has been requested SO TO do By the
newspaper reporters, Mr., Harvey
has both failed and refused TO per-
form his plain duty and declare.
himself fatty for or against the
Citizens Committee charter.
Mr.. Bayard has stated his case plain
ly. He announces that not only is he
willing to answer any question regard
ing municipal affairs which the Will
mington newspapers may ask, but that
he will at any time give straight
forward answer to any private citizen
who desires to know his views. He
makes it plain that his candidacy Is
interested in only one thing-Wilming-
ton.
Mr. Harvey has not stated his case
plainly. He has refused to answer
questions regarding municipal affairs
which the Wilmington newspapers have
asked and he has not given straight
forward answers TO questions which
private citizens have put 10 him. He
makes it plain that his candidacy ii
interested in everything but the essen
tiaI thing--Wilmington
The words Of each candidate show
whom they represent. Mr. Bayard rep
resents all citizens who favor the BIZ
Partisan Citizens. Committee charter.