Wilmington daily gazette., 1873-10-08
Tho Levy court.-sOmo sugRestl0ns

1t seems to us that our Levy Court Is becoming
body of too much general importance TO sit so
seldom during the year. In former years this
might have done very well and all the business
been attended to with sufficient promPlncss.
But great changes have taken place in almost all
kinds OF business, and there should be corre'
spending changes in the Legislative body Of the
county. Our population is nearly seventy
thousand aud the work that necessarily devolves
upon the Levy Court has greatly Increased. The
regular meetings Of the Court should therefore
he held quarterly, or Oftener.
Another matter Of much importance calls fOT
their consideration. The Court has been in the
habit of paying the bills contracted for whole
year only at the end OF the March session, and
sometimes not for several weeks or months after
its adjournment This is all wrong. The bills
for the work done for the County should be rene
dercd every quarter and paid, as is the case with
the Trustees Of the Poor. There would be econO-
my Ia this. TIE County would doubtless save
considerable by ii. besides the Finance committee
being able TO judge more clearly aud correctly Of
the charges for work done.
1t is clearly wrong TO expect mechanics or la
boreis TO walt so long for their pay Contractors,
100, always look to this matter and make their
bids accordingly. Even the Sheriff of the County
is required 10 wait nearly year and sometimes
more than year for his money, while much OF
the time money may be lying idle in the Treasury
These things need correction. Again the cOllec-
tors of taxes should receive closer attention from
the Court There should be no reason why a
collector should be required to give security 10
such inmcnsc amounts as they do Thb might
Aa ia ho
amendment TO the existing law, at the proper
time, to the legislature.
A collector should be told where to deposit the
money be collects, ana when so deposited be should
Be free from the responsibility. II the collectors
were required By their oath OF Office to deposit
every week CT oItener If they had given amount
OF money In han ii a ID the Bank where the de-
2 Isit Was required to be made required TO notify
8 county treasurer Of the receipt Of tho money
each week or the neglect Of the collector 10 make
his depOSr, We think there would be 9 suHlclent
check to permit the security 10 Be greatly reduced
and safety guaranteed also. Tue selection OF the
Banks tor the deposits should be by Law desiRna-
ted or lett With the Coat TO be deeignsted. Then
again the time for the payment of the taEss might
be hxed and inducements held out to persons to
pay early and save per centage.
We have thrown out these suggestions hastily
and without any desire TO dictate to the Levy
Court, which is composed of gentlemen of high
standing in their respective Hundreds great deal
Of experience in life, and who, no doubt, know
much better than We dc the necessities that exist
Bet the amount Of security required of some Of
the collectors, without perhaps being too much, Is
simply enormous, and frequently embarrasses
manly of the gentlemen who are required on
their bonds; for instance one of our collectors is
Tequirtd to give bond for SO OoO. This locks up
good deal OF aopeIty and makes 1t difficult
very oftea to sell OF make transfers And again
az the reference 10 the ShsriH's Office, the it,
sunbent Is often required to get credit for whole
yelr a. he cannot get his money from the county