Wilmington daily commercial., 1875-01-06
THE GOVERNORS MESSAGE.

The full text of Governor Ponders second bl- |
ennial message is printed elsewhere. The doc
ument is lengthy one it may have been writ
ten with a view to atone in length for whatever |
it may be deficient in importance. For surely 1t |
contains but little which s OF more than ordina-
nv interest its recommendations are few and OF |
not much moment, while the information which |
it mparts of State affairs is not so full as could
have been desired. The message is chiefly re-
markable in its failure to deal with questions OF
present interest and to measure up to the expeo-
tations of the public to the Importance of the
session in the estimation of the Governor.
Still, there are some subjects which will COM
mend themselves to thepublic approval. Chief
among these is the renewal of the recommends
ton made two years ago that the Wages Attach
ment law be repealed Public opinion is very
well satisfied with the injustice of the law in its
present shape, and nothing short Of its uncondi-
tionsl repeal will appease that sentiment. 1t
will be source OF some qualification to know
that notice has already been given in the House
of all intention to introduce bill to expunge
the law from the statute books. There is also
another subject to which the Governor makes
reference, although he submits no plan for ac-
ton, which may very properly engage the atten-
such large per cent. in the collection of the
taxes" The collection of the revenue is
source of great expense to the State and might
be reduced with justice to its agents and vast
benefit to the State Treasury. II nothing more
be done, equalization Of the fees Of
the collectors throughout the State
might prove advantageous, for certainly there is
no just compensation in the payment to the col
IN, he larra . n Love
sion than is allowed similar officers in New Castle
county. II compensation is to be made by COM
mission the rate should be at least uniform, and
not established on the basis Of the amount col
lected, for by the latter system the officer who
performs the least work will receive the most
pay
We take issue with the Governor to the
proprety of the extension OF the State credit to
the building Of railroads and other internal i'm
provements. 1t might, perhaps, be wise poll
icy to withhold so large an ndorsement az has
heretofore been given to railroads; but to re-
fuse altogether to assist in their construction
would be false economy. Without State aid the
Junction Breakwater and the Frankford &
Breakwater railroads would not, to-day, hare
been in operation, and the country through
which they pass, with the numerous towns along
their lines would not have reached their present
devel opment. We would not have the State
endorse every wild cat scheme, but for all that
promses..the building up Of the material inter-
ests of the State we would have the State
pledge its credit to the utmost dollar. These
improvements will in time become prolific
sources of revenue, and enrich the State. Our
sister State of Maryland finds her shares in her
public improvements a valuable auxiliary i'll the
making up of her revenues.
II, as the Governor alleges, real estate bears
unequal share of the burden of taxation, pub
lie opinion will still be divided as to the justice
of such division. There those who not with
out reason deem it wise policy to exempt from
taxation much as possible the industries Of a
State to the end that others may be encouraged
to locate. Some States have even gone 80 far
as to relieve from taxation altogether for peri
cd Of years all new manufactures, and the wis
dom of the plan is written in the enhancement
of the material wealth and prosperity of the
State. Take away from Delaware her manufac
lures and what would she become mere
agricultural community, with no home markets
population to consume her products-a dull
monotonous commonwealth with resources un
developed and the State throughout fair coun
terpart Of the lower portion. The great need o
the State is more industries, and any polio,
that will bring them to ID the wiaest and mos
expedent.
1t is matter OF remark that the Goyerno
should abstain from all suggestions touching til,
education of the colored people after he ha,
raised the subject of coored education in a man
ner the propriety OF which is at least question:
ble There il not the remotest probability tina
mixed schools will ever prevail in Delaware
belief which the Governor seems to share, bu
there is justice in the demand of the coore
people for the privilege Of being taxed for til
support of schools and for equitable division
Of the school fund of the State. 1t is measur
which is demanded by every consideration o
justice, propriety and economy, and the Legis
lature should undertake such work withou
delay.
The Governors assertion that to the falur
Of the Government to resume specie payment
is chargeable the present depression is state
ment as novel as the manner in which th
thought is sought to be enforced and at varianc
with strong sentiment in his own party. II
seems to forget one of the lessons which hi
party friends in the West and South insist wa
taught by the election and has taken a stan
far in advance of the Democratic sentiment i
his own State. We congratulate the Goyerno
in that he has announced himself such stron
Resumptionist, though cannot quite agre
with him as to the moving cause for present ILL
We believe, however, that through Resumptio
lies the pathway of the return to prosperity
In his motion for the appointment of the Sen
ate Committees Mr.. Riddle very properly .omitte
that on Divorce expressing the hope that sue
matters should be referred to the Courts M