Daily Republican., 1879-01-31

How II works. .
Our New Castle correspondent shows
how the Democratic patent assessment
law works IN that Hundred. An ex-
animation of the book hung up at the
Court House door, shows that a large
number of Republicans who have re-
sided in that city for several years are
not assessed nor never have been, and
that all the Democrats no matter ifthey
have Just arrived in the State, or Just
become of age, were assessed. A fur
Their examination shows that the names
of the Republicans returned as errors
for the past two years are not upon the
book, and that all tine Democrats re-
turned as errors one year ago are as
sess.d. So far as the Democrats are
concerned they are all assessed and
need have no uneasiness about II, but
Republicans who want to be assessed
have no other plan left but to lose a
day and pay the loss of time OF sonic
fire. ehelder to GO with him before the
Levy Court to be qualified that the appli-
cant to be assessed is not some other
man than he represents himself to he,
and even then it is very doubtful IL his
name will get upon the books, for it is
known that lists of names even after
they had been ordered to be placed up
on the lists get mystefiously misplaced
or so safely pigeonholded that they
could never be found again.
New Castle is not the only place
where this plan is carried out, and Re
publicans DISTINGUISHED by the hun
bred. OF course the Democracy are
sharp in regard to the kind Of assessors
they choose for be is the officer more
than any other that can aid in this dis
frauchising scheme. Strict integrity
and honesty are not requisite in such as
SCISSORS, nut the success Of the party Is
of paramount Importance. 1t Is very
easy for a Democratic Assessor who
cares only for the success of his party,
to ascertain who are Democrats and who
are Republicans in a neighborhood and
then it is very easy to pass by all the
Republicans. We would not be under
stood as saying that there are no honest
Democratic assessors, for We believe
there are and one of them is the asses
sor Of the northern District of Whining
ton. This not being the general as
sessment year, assessors were not re-
CURED to call upon everybody to see
whether they We're assessed, but their
principal duty is to assess investments,
and transfer charges in real estate. Two
wears hence will be- the general assess
ment year, when it will be the duty Of
the ASSESSORS to assess everybody except
such as may have been returned as or
rors at the preceding spring session OF
the Levy Court.
II seems however that the New Cas-
| tie Assessor has made a general assess
ment this year, but only of Democrats.
/ This is an enterprising assessor, one
who the Democrats cannot well spare,
and We have no doubt he will be asked
to step up higher in the offices which
the party haveto distribute, perhaps
be elected to the Levy Court or the
Legislature. 1t is queer that our re
form Legislature, has not introduced
any bill yet to remedy the evil com
planned of, and provide for an honest
assessment. but perhaps they have not
thought OF that yet. We are sure that
all that is required to bring this mat
ter before the Legislature is to inform
Mr.. Dean and other reforIner of the in
Justice of the asses ments, and as the
REPUBLICAN is eagerly read by all tie
members We have 10 doubt one will
vie with the other as to who shall lead
off in the needed reform.