The Wilmington morning star., 1945-11-03
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truth, but I do want to mention
one or two very interesting points
in this discussion. They say we
are enemies of progress. If you
folks will take the time to look
around inside the present city
limits you will find some very
good examples of progress. For
instance-open bitches within
block of the high school. Unim-
! proved streets in more than one
third of the city-and-and Of all
things homes within the city with
no water and sewerage. Take a
good look over in the Love Grove
and southeastern sections OF the
city. The cutest little back outdoor
apartments you ever saw.
Read the circulars we sent you
and see for yourselves just how
much the city fathers have been
progressing in the operating exP
pense of the city government. The
expense of running the city has
nearly doubled in that time. Why?
They want to take us in on that
kind of extravaganza, and want
every one to believe that they can
give the two areas proposed for
annexation the conveniences OF a
modern city for just little more
than they actually paid for the new
filter plant at Hilton. A great many
people who know about such things
are of the opinion that the inn
provements they list for the new
areas would cost in excess OF 81
$50. DOC. 90, which would be added
! to the city's already heavy bonded
Indebtedness of more than $3,0O0,-
900.
Where would the money come
from to take care Of that added
burden? Through higher taxes.
There can be no other answer, and
taxes are too high now.
Their convenient facts and fig
ures will not stand up under the
spotlight of reason and common
sense.
Talk about what they can do for
US in the affected areas. Its gener-
ally admitted that the city fathers
cannot take care Of the situations
that already exist in the present
city limits. What have thy done for
those folks up on South Third
Street to stop those heavy trucks
from running their property? What
about the very recent fire box con-
troversy, not to mention many 9th.
err things?
We readily agree that Wilmington
is suffering terribly from a very
disturbing ailment. "Jayceeitus'
and the city manager-council form
Of government, with all its i'm
ported high salaried official palace
guard, in charge Of most every
department of the city govern.
ment. And that reminds me Of a
bit of history.
Louis XIV was king of France.
He did not trust his own people in
government. So he sent to Switzer'
land and brought in what he call
ed 1.-THE Swiss Royal Palace
Guards" to do all his dirty work.
Well, his guards stood between him
and his people, and he overlook
ed the fact that they were becom-
ing very restless and dissatisfied.
Finally the people arose enmasse
against the Royal Palace Guards;
and Louis-to save his own hide,
tossed his guards to the angry
mob, believing he would escape
their wrath. But he was sadly mis-
taken. The people chopped of the
heads OF the spectacular "Royal
Palace Guards, and with that
chore finished, proceeded in like
fashion to finish Little Louis and
finally got themselves brand new
government.
You folks of Wilmington: Does
that remind you Of similar situa-
ton in your own government? The
city is certainly loaded to the hilt
! with a whole house full Of high
salaried imported palace guards.
Seems as though I recall that his
tory has way of repeating Itself
in the most unexpected situations.
Could it be-Could it be. Of course.
that's a figure of speech, but 1t
does give you something to think
about. Wonder why Councilman
Wade to this moment has not sign
ed the extension proposal.
Now in all sincerity, isn't it very
plain that we who have dared op'
pose the high and mighty powers
that be, on the city extension ques'
tion-most assuredly have not car
rjed on a campaign of misrepre,
sentation-and does the city council
and it's citizens committee for city
limits extension concede that we
have the right to express our opin
ion and vote as we please on tnt
question, and raise our voices II
behalf Of the white collar man
the laborer, and the underdog II
general, against such an untal1
and undemocratic program tina
gives the city council three tt
one advantage against US in TIT
voting. We reiterate that the an
n.xation PROPOSAL should be defeat
"a .axt Tuesday November 6tf