The daily gazette., 1880-01-10
ENTERED AT WILMINGTON POST
A. SECOND CLASS MATTER
'sArUnDAY. JANUARY 10, 1850.
s'THr CONSTITUTION of Delaware was


THE CONSTITUTION Of Delaware was
made by the late John NJ. Clayton. At
least Mr.. Clayton has always been con-
sidered as the chief auditor of Its pro-
visions. The late Hon. Willard Hall was
also a conspicuous member of the State
convention that formed the organic law
in 1892. These gentlemen were members
In high standing at the time OF the Whig
party. A large number of Old Line
Whigs are now found in the Democratic
party, but the great mass of the Whig
party are to-day the opponents OF the
Democratic party just as firmly as ever
under the name Of Republicans. Men
without special political principles they
say never change and only care to be
led against the ancient foe. Both Mr..
Clayton and Judge Hall were abused and
denounced by the Radicals before they
died, in severe terms, because of their
compromise and conservative senti-
ments.
But 1t is little curious to note the vio-
lence with which the State Constitution
is now assaiied by former Wings and
friends of Mr.. Clayton, who defended 1t
when the Democratic people In 1854
sought to amend 1t. Then the Wings we're
opposed to any change in its provisions.
1t always required assessment and the
payment Of a tax as prerequisite to vote.
In these particulars it has not been altered.
In fact there has been no alteration of the
organic law and very little alteration in
the provisions for carrying 1t out SO far as
relates TO elections. 1t was found impes-
.ible TO collect poll taxes from colored peo-
pie who had never been accustomed TO pay
such taxes; and the United States En-
forcement Act made 1t dangerous for col
lectors to attempt to do 1t. The collection
Of poll tax from negroes was tried and
proved a failure. After this trial the
Legislature passed an act which relieved
the Collectors from pursuing and prose-
cutting men for poll tax. But the act gave
more frequent opportunities to voters to
call on the collectors and pay their taxes
Italso authorized the Assessors to assess
= all voters. and in order to make the assess
msnt the more general the Assessors are
paid SO much for each name they report
This clause is held to be Objectionable, be
cause It often happens that names arr
on the lists that ought not to be there
frequently the names OF men VINO ar'
deceased and of others who have left tn
district. This largely increases the list, o
persons that are returned as delinquents
The complaints that arise against tn
constitution and the laws mainly com
from disappointed politicians who find
harder to get into office since they hav
allied themselves politically with tn
negro population than ever, because ou
voters will not agree 10 be reduced to
social position with negroes which woul
he the necessary result If the Republican
were to acquire majority in the Delawar
legislature. This is not so objectionabl
to Northern people In the more norther
States because the negro population
very meagre. But even there 1t is a raj
thing to find a negro In office; singl
one may be found in whole legislativ
body in one of the large States occasion
ally. But this is regarded as rdri dui
although the Republicans have heav
m ajorities in such States and might ele'
whom they please. We do not object
those States pleasing themselves. BI
we do object to their disposition TO di
tate to Delaware as to what citizens sha
be chosen to govern the State. In tn
South negroes are rom necessity som,
times elected to public office. But IL
history Of the past ten or fifteen years do
not show that they make the best ruler
otherwise the age of carpet-bagism wou
not have been SO generally denounc'
after 1t had demonstrated so fully Il
ease with which negro law makers cou
be led into corrupt practices.
In conclusion 1T is hoped that eve
Democrat in the State will see that
name has been put upon the assessme
lists. Otherwise 1t is barely possible
Republicans might surprise US with
majority in some of the HUI dreds
least.
We do not deny that some change in
o onstitution is desired and that some re
edi al measures might be taken we adm
but as the State is well and economical
governed, any propositions for chan
should emanate from the people; notfrc
the dissatisfied politicians who desire
get into ONCE by the aid OF negro votes.
THE affairs of Maine have undergo
a significant change. The Fusonists
the House have been des erted by thr
of their men, who remain away,
does also Mr.. Eugene Hale. This {
r