Daily Republican., 1884-06-04
Tho Bosses ut Work.

About forty men IN waiting 10 pay
their taxes last night in the tax collec
tors office had to go away without pay
ing them, simply because the clock
struck eight, and that was the hour APP
pointed by the collectors for closing
their books. Never did election polls
close more punctually than did Collec'
tor Dickey and Neary's duplicates flap
together when the tones of eight O'Clock
rang through the city and reached the
willing ears of the collectors.
No matter if there were forty, fifty OF
hundred men present, jostllng and
crowding each other 10 pay their taxes,
that they might exercise the pr!Nlltges
ola freeman next Saturday, the sacred
tax books had to flop together when the
clock struck eight, not because it was a
divine or even civil statute, but be-
cause it was the collectors decree that
they should close just when the crowd
was the greatest, and when it would
exaspera,e them so much that they
might resolve not to come again.
But this is only half the picture
Let us draw il to the full and let the
public have the benefit Of it. Standing
by is H. b. McIn:ire, his tall command
ing form, every inch boss, from toe to
crown, towering head and shoulders
above all surrounding objects. Beside
him stands Wm. Bareford, the Third
street bridge tender, and not bad one,
by the way, but little me-too' po-
litical boss, with his political ambition
fully satisfied SO long As he has bridge
to watch. Every man who came for
ward to pay his tax was closely
scanned by these men. With watch i'll
hand they stood ready to give the order
to close the tax duplicates should the
collectors not be on the lookout. This
is the picture as seen in the tax collec-
tors Office last night.
Does the public want to know why
Mr.. McIntire took such an interest in
this tax paying process" Ii they do
not know we will tell them that it is
because if these men are permitted to
pay their taxes they will vote against
the Water Commission, and that is the
same as voting against him. The less
who pay taxes the fewer Republican
votes will be cast next Saturday. He,
of all men, is intensely interested. His
Office and his salary as Chief Engineer
of the Water Works, under his little
three-cornered Water Commission, are
dependent upon the number of Republi-
cans that can be bulldozed and cheated
out of their votes. This is why he was
present and is present in that tax col
lectors office nearl Y all the time bossing
the job.
Now, what do the honest tax payers
of Wilmington, no matter what party
they belong to, think Of such work p
Forty men turned away without pay
ing their taxes last night, and it only
eight o'clock, an hour when twilight
yet fingered in the western horizon.
Forty men turned away that there
may be forty Republican votes less on
election day. Forty men turned away
and hundred dollars lost TO the coun-
ty if they stay away and do not pay
their taxes. Forty men to be BULLDOG
ed out OF their votes if possible that
" Boss" Mclntire may get the office he
blocked out for himself, and had enact
ed into law by suppleknecd partisan
Legis lature. Who are to pay the taxes
of tn ese forty men q
The real estate owners Of the city al
ready heavily taxed. But that makes
no difference TO the " Boss" 50 long as
he can keep forty Republicans from vO.
ting. So long as he can enjoy his office
when he gets it be does not care who
pay the taxes.
Intelligent citizens Of Wilmington,
whether Democrat or Republican, is it
fair, is it right, that such political ma
aS these should be permit
ted simp y that Democratic Council
may be elected thar will sit the Grip
pied Water Commission on It's feet and
give Mr.. McIntiTe the office he covets?
We leave the question with you,