Smyrna times., 1879-02-12
For The Smyrna Times.
The Legislature.


On Wednesday last, Mr.. Ware intro
duced in the House bill providing for
Local Option. The main features of the
bill are that each Hundred or Ward in
Wilmington should vote as to whether any
liquor should be sold that if such Hun
dreds or Wards vote for "no license none
shall be issued, but if they vote for license,
such license shall be granted upon condi-
ton of the payment of the equal amount of
tax, specified in the bill, and the giving of
bond of indemnity amounting to $1,000,
the obligations upon which are as follows
off any person shall while in state of in
temperance do or cause, in consequence
thereof, any damage or injury to any other
person, or the property of another, then in
such case whoever sold or gave the liquor
to such person whereby person doing or
causing such injury became intoxicated
shall be liable to pay to the party injured
just damages to be recovered in an action
on this statute; and of the party selling
such liquor under this act said amounts
may be recovered from the surety or sure
ties on his bond, provided it does not ex-
ceed $1,000.
"Section 81 provides for penalties of not
less than 800 and not more than $1,000,
and Imprisonment of not less than 80 days
nor more than one year, for violation Of the
statute; and any sign upon the premises,
&C., and the fact of having paid United
States tax shall be prinaa .facie evidence that
such owner or occupier sells intoxicating
liquors"
| The bill is a pretty strong dose Of Local
| Option, but it is a most excellent measure
and should pass both Houses. 1t is now
under consideration by the committee on
Revised Statutes. 1t does not appear likely
! however, that it will be reported favorably
by that committee. Mr.. Collins is chair
man and he will make a report from his
committee in short time. The temper
ence people are working hard for its sue
cess and if they persist it is possible that
something may be accomplished.
The two houses have become frightened
at the number of divorce bills coming in
and joint resolution has been passed re-
quiring witnesses to testify in person and
for the appointment of a committee for the
purpose of considering ali divorce cases and
reporting upon their merits.
The bill making the Kent County Agri
cultural Association State Association, has
passed both Houses and is now law.
On Thursday there was little breeze in
the House when the Senate joint resolu
ton authorizing the Attorney General tC
collect any money due from the Genera
Government to this State prior to 1862 anC
allowing him 25 per cent for collection
Mr.. Dean vigorously opposed the 25 pc
cent. feature of the resolution and charac
terized it as little short of larceny, anC
moved that the per centum be reduced t.
10 per cent. This was adopted and tn
resolution was laid upon the table and
has not been considered since. There j
q tOl tcb
, both houses. The resolution as it original
ly came from the Senate provided tha
= Judge Geo. P. Fisher and Chas. II. B. Da
be appointed to collect from the Genera
. Government any claim the State may hav
for Communication money advanced for pei
sons who paid Communication and were after
9 wards required to serve or furnish subst
o tutes during the war. The claim is mad
! under the provisions of an act of Congress
o passed in 1867, and providing for the pay
ment to such persons of $500 each. A
E this State paid 5000 of the amount of con
4 mutation money in each case, it is no
q | sought to recover it, and the resolutio
h provides for 20 per cent. for collection. Th
!. resolution was read in the House on Thur
day and Mr.. Dean opposed it because,
said, the State was not entitled to tE
c money, but the measure was referred
the Committee on Revised Statutes, and t
/, day it was reported back to the House wit
D, an amendment striking out the name
n Judge Fisher and making Mr.. Day Il
e sole agent for the collection Of the amour
le due the State. Mr.. Dean protested vigc
d ously against the whole measure, but IL
,e resolution as amended was passed by
9. unanimous vote save only his.
in On Friday Mr.. Dean introduced a resol
Il r
w the balances due the State from Kent al
Of Sussex counties on account of the 10 p
d, cent. real estate tax of 1S76-snce repeal
It. but his resolution was promptly table
ly 1t seems that Kent County is ready to D
ty the $4,000 owed by her and the amou
in was recently rendered by the County Tr,
rs, surer to Mr. Giles the State officer. Suss
ne has neither paid nor offered to pay t
n $l4 900 owed by her. The fact is that I
IT. two lower counties have been using Il
he money which should have been paid 10
lst ago, without paying interest. The Sta
at Treasurer should compel them to pay
ed as he has the power to do. New Cas-
all county but recently paid up the amou
owed by her.
Ter The bill providing for railroad comm
e sioners has been printed and is now bel
considered by the House, it is not at
lot likely to pass, although there appears to
fr. a strong feeling in favor of the fruit grow
in the Legislature. The bill is consider
imperative, if not unconstitutional.
'k- The bill reducing the oyster tax
re. passed the Senate and is now before
10 House.
The House has now before it DR.. Shar
'nS bill providing for State Board of Heal
'ver The bill provides that thirty days after
ory passage of the act the Governor shall
Of point a State Board of Health, consist
J of seven physicians-threef from New ca
'nu county, and two each from Kent and
Nc sex counties.
! in A bill has passed the House, provid
The that no game shall be shot or taken
;. Kent or Sussex counties between Febru
18th and December 1st in each year; all
and bill to provide that sheriff sales shall be
dis verified in the paper in the Hundred WI
;no the property is situated or the paper nea
that Hundreds also bill authopi,
iich Smyrna to issue $4,000 worth of bonds
to bill re-incorporating the Smyrna Coal
of Company.