Smyrna times., 1879-02-19
For tNe Smyrna Tunes
The Legislature.

DOVER, DEL, February is, 1879.
The doings of the Assembly for the past
week are easily summed up. A number of
private incorporation bills passed, together
with some stock laws. Mr.. Dean tried
again to get up his resolution asking for
information in regard to the Kent and
Sussex balances, but he failed. This did
not discourage him, and on Thursday he
introduced an additional resolution direct
ing the State Treasurer to demand a settle
ment with the two counties, and to require
them to pay interest upon the indebted.
ness after the date of the demand. The
consideration of this resolution was post.
poned for the time, but it is likely to come
up this week, and will be passed, think.
If 1t should be, Mr.. Dean will have earned
we'll won victory. Mr.. Sharp called up
his bill providing for State Board of
Health, which was not passed by the House
because the members thought $400 too
large salary for the officer which the bill
created, and Mr.. Ware was too late with
his amendment reducing it to 5000. The
Wilmington delegate, however, yesterday,
moved reconsideration Of the vote by
which the bill was defeated, and his motion
prevailed. The bill has been recommtted
and will come back to the House amended
so as to make the officers salary smaller
and will probably pass the House.
The divorce mill seems to have resumed
work with a will. There were numerous
petitions asking for separation introduced
on Monday, and it seems likely that after a
little coy hesitation for decency sake, the
Assembly will begin to pass divorces with.
out much regard to remonstrances. The
two clerks were kept busy all Monday
afternoon reading petitions and accompany.
ing papers.
The railroad bill is provoking more dis.
cussion than any measure that has been
before the Assembly yet 1t would have
been called up in the House for third
reading on last Thursday but for the obiec
tions of several members, who wanted
more time to consider its provisions. The
measure will be called up in the House be-
fore the end of the week, but do not
think it will pass. There appears to be
grave doubts as to the constitutionality oi
the bill, and many of the members hesitate
to vote for it upon the ground that it will
breed litigation and involve the State in an
expensive law suit, from which she will
come out worsted. However, it is possible
that the bill may get through.
Local Option sleeps as quietly as a child
in the arms of the House special commit
tee appointed last week to consider the
| subject, viz: Messrs. Houston, Dean, Col
| Inns, Hearn and Savin. 1t is possible that
| Mr.. Houston may shake the matter up @
little, but the only liquor law likely to be
passed is an amendment to the present law
regulating the sale in the city of Whining
ton and providing for some remedy against
the present frequent violations of the law
by small grog shops in that city. Blu
local option petitions are pouring in and
the end is not yet.
The two houses have appointed the fol
lowing committee to settle with the Stat,
Treasurer and Auditor in January, 1880
Messrs. Denney, Cooch, Ware, Sharp anC
Houston, and the House passed the Join
resolution appointinting r. II. Kenne!
| State Librarian.
4 bill of considerable Importance relat
ing to alien auctioneers has been introduc
ed in the House. It provides that it shall
be unlawful for any auctioneer except thos
paying annually $1,000 over and above thl