Smyrna times., 1888-02-08

THE event of the past week that has
excited most attention in the State and
that has claimed the attention of the
metropolitan daily papers out of the
State, has been the effort of the asses
s1rs Of Wilmington, aided by the police
TO prevent by all kinds of hindering
causes, the Republicans from getting
on the assessment list. The charge is
that not only did the assessors leave
the names of some 1000 Republicans
off the registration list but that when
they appeared on the appeal days to
have their names placed thereon, the
police in rufiian manner put obstruc-
tiUns in their way while admitting
Democrats through a back door. The
assessors of the several districts thus
only got on about $50 names in day
while they could as readily if comply
ing with the law, have put on over
300. Hundreds were in awaiting at
the proper hours, mostly laboring
men, who lost two or three days work
in vain endeavOr to obtain their
legal right of franchise. Then, exas-
perated beyond measure, they an
nOunced their intention to cease efforts
to obtain their legal rights before the
assessor, and appeal to the Levy Court
as a more honorable body.
The ECery Erening, as we'll as the
other papers Of the city denounced the
action of the assessors and the police
as unjust, undemocratic and inimical to
our Notwithstanding the opinion
Ofthe fair minded people ofthe common
wealth The DeyGUarean says that with a
fair election of the State with every
man voting, it would be democratic by
good majOrities, and hopes therefore
that no impediment will be thrown in
the way of persons getting legally on
the assessment list.
The Smyrna Record publishes the
Wilmington matter under the head of.
"a Republican Lie abroad" The edi-
tor Of the SUSSEX Journal, a democratic
organ, takes a statesman like view of
the aspect Of the subject-a broad
view Of the ultimate as well as the
present result We quote at length.
because there are thoughts and sug-
gestIons ia 1t that concern every voter
in the State:
Our Wilmington letter contains an
account of another one of those out
RACES which are making New Castle
democracy a by-wOrd and a reprOaeh
and fast placing the metropolis in the
front rank Of those cities whose CHIEF
distinction is their political depravity
Our correspondent is a Democrat and
his account is not Overdrawn. He
gives the simple truth without any
cOlOring, because it needs none. II
tells its own tale, teaches its own les.
son, points its own moral, and has its
own cOlOring in the blush of shame
that it brings to the cheek fevery hon.
est Democrat. To withhold the publ
cation of such a gross wrong when il
Is brought to our attention, would BE-
almost as bad as to cOndOne it, and tC
refuse TO condemn it would be a will
ful neglect of our duty as a Democrat
and a journalist. II is not only ar
outrage upon the people and the Re
publican party, but it is an Outrag,
upon the Democratic party in who's,
name it was committed. It is an out
rage upon the Democratic party be
cause that party must ultimately suf
Ter the consequences because it brings
reproach not only upon the DemOcrac,
Of Wilmington and New Castle, bu
indirectly upon the party in tn,
whole State The action
OF the New Castle assessors anC
their aiders and abettors is diPee
blow at the freedom of the ballot.
is an attack upon our free institution
and an unanswerable argument in IA
vor Of a Constitutional Convention
The growing power Of New Castl
county which, through the city Of Viii
mington, seems to be growing in cor
Tuption as it grows in power Is one 0
the main causes Of the leading position
that Democrats of Sussex have takel
in the cause Of reform. The last out
rage furnishes a powerful argument Il
favor Of the wisdom OF their course
They recognize the fact that Wron
will not thrive forever. and that ever,
act Of injustice perpetrated by tn
dominant party in New Castle is has
fening the day when It will be throw
from power And while, by saeh oui
sages the Democratic party in the ~