Daily Republican. [volume] ([Wilmington, Del.]) 1874-1890, 1886-12-16
MAsTER,s REPORT,
-
Tho Grange for Constitutional Reform


ut 10 an admitted fact among our
best Informed and thinking citizens that
the constitution under which We are
governed as state, is inadequate, and
unsuited TO our needs. The judicial sys :
TEN, the present method of appointing,
instead of electing county and other
officers, the plan Of representation 10 the
Ilaw-making bodies, our assessment and
collection laws, and many matters OF
| minor importance need refor ming, TO
meet the wants Of an enlightened and
progressive people.
The refusal to meet this popular de-
rand by those having the power to do SC
should be visited with our severe cOndem-
nation, and no patron who gives his aid
Isympathy and support to the men who
| refuse Is true TO the obligation he has
taken as member OF the order.
1.-THE order Of Patrons OF Husbandry
has adopted The following, as q part OF
Its fundamental principles: we desire
u proper equality, equity and fairness;
protection for the weak; restraint for
the strong, In short, justly distributed
burdens and justly distributed powers.
These are American ideas, the very
essence of American independ and
to advocate tho contrary is unworthy
the Sons and daughters Of an American
Rspublic.'
"HaVe we n:the past advocated these
ideas, have we supported them by voice
and vote? Is the power to make and
unmake lave justly distributed? Ia the
burden fairly apportionedP Are our
Iassessment and collection laws framed
with proper regard for the equality Of
all citizens, and are they enforced in a
spirit OF equity and fairness?
~ appeal TO you as fair-minded, un-
pref udlced, liberty-loving men and
| women, that they are not. That we
have not done what we should, az citi.
zens, or rs an organization, In these
matters
''NO state that retains such laws and
ennotmepts en- Its statute books. 30 con
| trsry TO he spirit of American institu
lions, and to every instinct OF Ameri-
Can Independence, can hope to reach a
high degree OF prosperity, or keep pace
wi h its sister states CT the Republic.
while we depreca;e too frequent
changes in our organic law, and deem
IL Ut wise to eDdeavor to create Eenti-
msnt or feeling OF distrust, diseatisiac
tion, and disrespect towards the press mt
constiiution, yet we seriously question
the wisdom OF the trainers Of that in
su unent, in their efforts TO place 1t
outside the power of human possibility
70 change or remodel 1t.
| "Tha5 tho people are the Supreme
Power in this land is the very founda-
| ton OF our government aud our proud.
est boast. And for few nen to assume
fifty or sixty years ago that this age
and generation should not be as well
able, as well equipped 40 they, to cope
| with the great questions OF Belf govern.
ment, was at leeat presumptuous, and
we say this without any disrespect to
their memory. We claim that the Leg.
| islature coon to assemble have the ul.
doubted right TO pass law su0mittiDg
to the people, Tor them to decide,
/ whether or not, yes or no, IL Is theiI
wish to have constitutional conven-
tion assembled, 10 prepare q constitu'
tion for their approval or rejection.
"So constitutional government can
Hong endure in which tho voice of q
portion of the people is not on an equal
Icy with the other portioDi wbGSe the
many is made su uoservieut to the few.
"Tne census of 1880 gave to New
lCastls County, in round numbers, 81
1000 habitants, while Kent and Sus
sex, com biped, r. umber 76 600, and tht
ldifferedce is no doubt greater, after the
lapse of six years. The former con
tributes ons.third the Inembero of tht
lGensIal Assembly, while the latter
with the less population, send two
thirds.
"Tj constitute the General Assembly ;
on a fair, Just and equitable bssis, the
State should be dive ed into districts
each OF which should elect q represen
Itative, thus bril- ging each legislator
Idirectly responsible 10 his immediate
constituency, and providing for rep
resentstion of the minority, without
which no legislation can be pure and
wholesome, ard giving to the people
Representation on tho basis OF popula
lion, aud local self government In it,
simplest fCrG.
"At the annual session held in Dover
four years ago, j. j. Rosa, then pre-
Ieiding oflicer, in HIS last cocs muuioatior
10 this body advocated prompt actor
being taken; the subject has been dis
tcussei a5 each succeeding session, anJ
1.-THE GrHu go has placed itgelt on record
Ias an enli liehtensd and progressive orFa
Imitation, dssir0us Of and striving fcl
the Test interests OF TIE whole people
THE Levy Court In each of the cdua
tiles is a oum mpTous, expensive business
arrangement, that should be replaced
by more modern ideas.
"The same business is well done In
lthe large couutiea Of Pennsy lvania and
May land by three men; why sh0ulC
!; Se pay dozen? There are many iteml
tina. could be mentioned why reform
In this department would be sdvan
lbag6Cus TO the people.
''Thero is no class Of citizens OF
whom the nssessmebt and colleotior
laws bears 20 heavily snd unjustly al
1.-The farmers. A farmers pe1sona
tprope1ty is assessed. He may dispose
Of IL month thereafter, but Ia requre rec
Ito pay tax on it, at the original valua
; stion, ii he reuain IN thAs ccunIy- fol
four years. A poll tax payer Only re
fusiDg or Degleoting ID pay his ta1
within certain time is dropped frou
the list, and tho law pEohibils The as
,egsor from placing thSt persona nam'
On his list for the period OF one yea
thereirom, even IL the taxable wishes i
! tnsre, exGusing him from paying take
lshs SUGGESTING year, thereby placing
, Increased burdens on property or every
spelies. L. is estimated that tho take
lthua ni9place0, taken OH OF one cltizei
: and plaoad on another anjus.ly ,amount
20 Thousands OF dollars annually. Erer,
: Citizen, of whatever station, should b.
lobliged to pay his oven fair. handed
share toward the support Of the govern
, Iment whose protecsipn be enjoys.
, "We are paying for collecdnB take
from q 10 10 per cSat. Ii is better don't
In some other states for 3.
1.-The present mode ci assessing TO
sschool purposes is uujGst TO lare'
fclass, II any OF them members OF tn
{orilsr. They frequently pay on a few
Hundred aollars worth OF T4rin stool
Hcre tax than thelr landlords pay on
Il A. a L..Li a