Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1885-08-20
CAR Fon AN INVESTIGATION.
Tho Levy Court 90 Confer with the
Trussees of the Poor Regarding the

INC levy court 10 Conner win the
Trustees of the Poor Regarding the
Ainishouse disclosures
The levy court Tuesday morning held its
first meeting since the recent disclosures
of extravaganza and looseness in the
management of the New Castle county
almshouse were made public about three
weeks. Before the meeting was called
the members assembled in small knots
about the court house corridors
earnestly discussing some matter
in an undertoue, emphasizing it with the
most expressive gestures. The faces OF
| several members were heavily clouded
| giving an air of deep concern and anxiety
to the assemblage. A casual observer
could have easily predicted that the meet
ing had before it duty, upon which
none was anxious TO enter in the initiative.
After there had been several con-
ferences in the apartment adjoining the
court chamber Mr.. Mackey arose in his
place and preached the subject of the
recent disclosures at the almshouse. He
said, with all respect to the levy court
and Trustees of the Poor, the taxpayers
in White Clay Greek hundred demand
that some action be taken to check
the Trustees of the Poor in their
course of extravaganza and loose
| ness in the management of the
county almshouse. The taxpayers are
growing about it and he for one wanted
to clear his skirts of all completely in the
matter and did not believe it should be
saddled upon the levy court. He thought
the court put good men in the poor
trustee board but if they have become ex-
travagant he felt that the court should
stop it if it has the power, as he was OPP
posed TO all extravaganza or the addition
Of any burden upon the taxpayers OF
this county.
Mr.. Hannah confessed to knowing moth
ing concerning the affairs at the aims
house except what he had seen in the
papers, and if there had been any cor
ruption he knew nothing of it. If such a
thing exists as is reported he moved that
committee of the whole court meet with
the Trustees of the Poor TO confer with
them with regard to having thorough
investigation. He wanted the investiga-
ton to be thorough and complete and no
whitewashing of the matter.
MIR. Cheairs suggested that action be
postponed until official notification of the
truth of the charges be made. lie
thought that the court had not the power
to overhaul the accounts of the trustees.
MIR. Haman said we are all censured,
and want to set the court right before
the taxpayers, and not have the trustees
lay the blame ON us.
MIR. Morrison moved immediate inves-
tigation while Chairman Shallcross
thought the charges should be preferred
by the proper officials.
MIR. Mackey stated that the trustees
were creatures of the levy court and he
favored an investigation of their ac-
counts.
MIR. Sharpless questioned the right of
the court to conduct such an investiga-
ton.
Mr.. Mackey stated if everything is
right the Trustees of the Poor will not
object to an investigation. If there is
anything wrong let it come out. Let us
have a square deal. There is a loud
demand for an investigation and every man
| meet at home says, saint you going to
do something"
Mr.. McCracken questioned the courts
right to have an investigation, but il il
had he was most heartily in favor of the
proposition So far as l have been able
to learn of the proceedings of the com.
mlttee on accounts at the trustees last
| meeting as given in the newspapers he
believed and the board practically adj
mitted that there had been extravaganza.
very great extravaganza. He wanted TO
place himself on record as being opposed
to any extravaganza. While he WINS in
| favor of the purposes of the motion, vet
as he doubted the courts right to have i'm
investigation, he preferred resolution
condemning all extravaganza and request
ing the trustees to have an investigation.
Mr.. Hainan, however, in opposition to
motion 10 adjourn until 2 o'clock that
the matter could he further considered.
called up his original motion which was
| passed by unanimous vote.
The motion provides for the members
of the levy court to meet with the
| Trustees of the Poor at the new aims
house on Wednesday of next week, Goth
lust. The purpose of the meeting is to
have conference of the two bodies in
order that an immediate and thorough
Investigation may he made of the cx-
trnvagunce and looseness in the manage
ment of the almshOuse brought ont AZ
| the last meeting.
After some further desultory conversa-
ton, during which one of the members
ironically remarked in reply to another
that the new safe was probably purchased
to lock up the silverware and china of the
almshouse, the court adjourned to meet
Tuesday, September Sth.
| There is very general opinion shared
by several lawyers without, however,
specially looking into the case, that the
levy court has no right to order an inves
| tigrtion nor to assist in one unless the
Trustees of the Poor are quite
willing. 1t has been stated that the
trustees intend electing an investigating
committee at the next meeting and
having the accounts gone over and the
true lnwardness of numerous transactions
held up to public scrutiny, 1t is not i'm
probable that the trustees will waive this
right to conduct its own investigations.
THE OUT. GOING MEMBERS.
It may be of interest to the general
public, inasmuch us the Trustees of the
Poor have been under discussion con-
slderably of late, to give list
of those whose terms expire in March
next: j. p. Chandler, Successor to
Adolphus Husband) Christiana hundred;
James A. Hossinger, White Clay Greek
Thomas Bird, Red Lion; G.. L. Jamison,
New Castle; Thomas l.. Bird, Brandy.
wine hundred, Milton Lackey and Daniel
Farra, Wilmington.
1t is the expressed sentiment of the
levy court that the resignation of one or
two members, who have been charged