Daily Republican., 1879-01-13

die Of Maveh-Our New Secretary
0TState, James 4. WsAe~ts.
Special CorrespondsDce Of the RxPUnLIoAs.
DovsE, DEL, Jan. IL, 1879.
In certain circles the matters for leg
islation are still being talked over. The
bill providing for militia law is the
principal topic Of discussion, As the
bill Is now understood its passage is
impossible. There seems to b. a
thorough misunderstanding as to the
ultimate expense attending its provis-
ions in casa Of Its passage. One member,
a gentleman from Sussex, vehemently
asserted that framed as the act is, the
measure would not cost the State less
than 800, 900. These figures are rather
airy. Where the gentleman obtained
his data was not stated. He has evi
IDENTIFY been mistaken, or he still lin
gers under the impression that the war
is still in existence. If the bill provided
for the erection Of armories in every
post office station in the State, and the
filling of the same with supply materi-
al, then there would be method in such
a demand. But 1t does not. The pas
sage of the act weull incur an expense
of 81, 500 or $4,000 yearly not more.
The assertion Of the honorable mem =
Der from Sussex, evidences feeling in
the Legislature in direct antagonism
to the bill on the ground of the attend
ing expenses. The whole body appears
TO DO imbued with a spirit Of retrench.
ment and the certainty is that
they will not look upon any
measure vita favor unless they can be
assured Of its positive necessity. II the
people OF Wilmington have reached
such an advanced stage in modern
ideas as to require an organized militia,
empow cred by the State; Kent and
Sussex evidently have not. What will
be done in the matter is but conjecture,
but of one thing we are certain and
and that is if the minds OF the majority
are not disabused Of that idea the death
Of the bill is assured.
AN EARLY ADJOURNMENT.
Before the adjournment OF the legis-
lative body there were several PROPOSE
tions informally offered the main OBJ
ject of them being to secure joint un-
d.rs tanding between the branches Of
the Assembly regard to an early ad-
j0urnInent.
The sessions now occupy three hours,
two in the morning and one in the al
ternoon. The proposition was to make
the afternoon session an hour longer.
This, however, was objected to, on the
ground that as the greater part Of the
business was done in the committee
rooms it could not possibly expedite
matters. Another proposition was to
have but an hour session daily, as is
done in the Legislature Of Pennsylva-
MIA and those OF other States. No def
mite conclusion was arrived at. What
arrangement will be made is not yet
known, but there is general desire
among all to ad j0urn the Legislature
by the middle of March at the farthest
THE NEW SECRETARY or STATE.
James l.. WacOtt, whose name was
announced in former letter as the ap
pOintee for the position OF Secretary of
State under Governor Hall, is a rising
lawyer at the Kent County Bar He
was born in Misspillion Hundred, lower
part of Kent county, i'll the year lS43.
His early life was spent on the farm
where he was born. The advantages for
education being very limited he grew
up comparatively untaught. What
learning he did receive was garnered
with the utmost difficulty. In his sew
enteenth year he set out in the world
poor and unknown. Having contidencs
in himself he applied for a position in
district school, was accepted and en-
tered into the performance of his duties
as teacher,
Through the day lie taught and in
the evening and far in the night. the
bours were occuni.d Nv him in IN. stu-
DIV of law, He received the most care
full training under the watchful eve of
Senator Eli salisbury. Industry and
indou,itable perseverance, at last had
its reward. Upon application b.for.
the Court he was examined reported
satisfactor;,v on and was adm;ttad n
nractics before Tn. Bar 1853. In 1887
i. was eleeted clerk Of tn, Senate. In
1859 h. entered deeplv into the spirit