Smyrna times., 1878-09-25

THE LITTLE ELECTIoN.-On Tuesday next
the little election will be held in the diff
ferent hundreds throughout the State.
Here and throughout Kent CO., from the
fact that the Republicans have put no
ticket in the field, this election, which is
usually quite exciting, must prove a very
tame affair. In Kent and Sussex the elec-
ton is held only for Inspectors and Asses
sors. In New Castle CO. the scope is en-
larged and each Hundred elects its road
supervisors.
This matter of "little election" is an
ANOMALY peculiarly Delaware institution.
1t was an outgrowth of the convention that
framed our present State constitution al
most half a century ago. Civilization has
made rapid strides since then, but Della
ware stands still, as the trainers of the
constitution intended declaring on adj
iourning that they had locked the door
and thrown the key to -.
Two if not three attempts have been
made to alter our constitution have de-
liberated for weeks on needed alterations
and additions, but in no instance have
their labors been ratified by such an un-
reasonable number of voters as the con-
stitution demands. 1t was this very thing,
the difficulty of getting three-fourth's vote
of the Legislature on a new constitution
and more than half the voters of the State
at special election that was designed, in
saying they had "locked the door and
thrown the key away" In countries less
conservative than ours and where new con-
stitutions were less needed than in our case,
the last and inalienable right of revolution
has been resorted to when it was clearly
the only way to remedy existing wrongs.
Were we Castillian instead of Anglo-Saxon,
there would not be that enduring long
suffering patience now characterizing our
State.
But we are wandering from the subject
at the head Of this article. As we said in
the beginning, this election is an ANOMALY.
1t exists in no other State, and there is no
earthly necessity for it in ours. With a
new constitution, the whole expense and
turmoil of the two could be concentrated
in one. The fewer the elections the better
for us politically and morally. Our laws as
they are and have been under the present
constitution, makes the pivotal interest of
this election centre on the political adj
vantages it gives. The inspectors duty is
to inspect the votes and see whether the
voter is qualified under the law, viz; has
paid q state and county tax within two
years, is of age, is within the proper
boundry limits, is not q convict, DC. In
cases where there is q contest over doubt
ful voter, the decisions of this officer are
frequently so arbitrary in favor of his
party, as to do violence to his oath. The
value of an inspector is generally for this
reason considered equivalent to dozen
votes.
The Assessor has the power to make hi:
political influence felt much more than the
other, if he is an active politician, and h(
generally is. The men he wants to fine
for the assessment list he can easily do, anC
those he does not can be just as easily
omitted. The new law aids them still
further, and if the goats do not hunt VI
this good shepherd, they are cast out as n'
use or value to the State. They are alien
and hardly as much value politically as tn
raw emigrant. The Assessor, though he
bound by his oath of Office to make tru
and correct assessment, is not held respons
BILE for errors and omissions, and he is endol
sed by the Levy Court as faithful officer
In heated political contest each and a
parties will make the most of its oppel
tunities to catch voters. They will strai
the law to its utmost tension and for th
reason every safeguard should be throw
around the citizen to protect him in h
rights. But when laws are made for tn
deliberate purpose to violate a mans dea
est rights, it is simply dreadful.
The original fault lies with our constit,
ton. The people and the times have ou
grown it. We need many changes, but IL
primal one after life and liberty, is IL
right and privilege Of citizenship. o.
political machinery could and should be
amended as to give this.
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NoMINATION OF CANDIDATEs.-The sele