Evening journal., 1889-06-08
LETTERS Eaom rHE PEOPLE.
Answer rbe.., on..,,ons p,aa..

Editor OF EVENING JOURNAL.
1t Is no uncommon thing TO hear per-
sons, wise in their own conceit, ask a
question and then pose with an air be.
tokening the wisdom of Solomon, pause
for reply that, in their judgement, can
not be given. Such persons are found in
every community and the divine injunc-
tion, ANSWER not fool according to his
folly" is generally applied to them. But
as the Morning News of this date has
distilled its fund of wisdom into four
questions we will venture reply.
Under the heading of TAX Mystery it
asks first:
IF county tax collector returns a
man in 1888 as a delinquent and he is
allowed as an error and then in 1889 the
same man votes on tax receipt Of 1888,
how much money does the county receive
by the processi"
The answer TO this is, If a man having
been assessed in one election district, and
moves TO another, aud is again assessed in
the district TO which he has removed,
consequently being assessed in two dis
tricts, he is very properly returned as an
error or (delinquent) in the district from
which he has removed, but is retained
and pays his tax in the district of present
domicile and is entitled to his vote, and
the county receives the full amount Of
the tax levied against him. On the same
principle, that IL Senator Higgins had
been returned as delinquent for the
non payment of his tax in Wilmington,
he could have voted on his Red Lion tax
receipt, where he was also assessed, but
as Mr.. Higgins was spared that mortifi-
cation through the kindness of Mr..
Neary, he doubtless voted on his Will
mington receipt.
The Morning News asks second 'If a
man qualified 20 vote in such fashion
pays tax or has IL paid for him, who
receives the money.
In answer to this interrogation If a
man qualified TO vote in snch fash
ion. pa-s a tax, the county receives the
money as a matter of course, as the name
Of the taxable duly enrolled in the dis
trict Of his present residence, Is en-
braced in the collectors duplicate for the
amount of which he has given ample se-
curity.
The next question is:
"If he or some one for him does not
pay tax what are the county seal and
the county collectors signature doing in
his hands
This question is nonsensical rot and un.
worthy Of notice. as If the taxable is
qualified as above stated. hecould notand
would not have the county seal in his
possession, but his tax receipt would be
properly sealed and signed by proper
authority.
Question number four:
IF no tax is paid for him, does the
no ctr nd
sealed, in blankY"
In reply to this question would say if
the collector sees propere to become respon.
sible for the tax on his duplicate, as he
did in the case Of Senator Higgins, it is
his and his sureties own business, and no
person has moral or legal right 90 say
that he shall not make good to the
county the amount OF his duplicate
whether he collects the tax from the tax
able TO whom he gives the receipt or
not.
Now, Mr.. Sperry, having fully an
swered your questions, as stated, will
you return the favor by answering a
like number.
First. If you are so desirous of probing
this tax receipt fraud to the core, as you
have stated why do you not obtain the
AAAAoA hHbiNh 40 w WIN toouou lut lThuuu-
lent receipts from your negro politician,
Phillips swear out q warrant for the
guilty parties and produce Phillips as a
witness against themY He seems to be
willing to give information to such as
he can trust as friends
Second. II the majority of the Repub.
lican party (the negro element) were re-
quired 20 pay their taxes only on election
year, and pay none on the off year, what
would be the financial effect on the
county,
Third Why is it that the Morning
News has no comment to make on the
fact that certain Republicans of Will
mington have procured a counterfeit col
lectors stamp, and had printed an ample
supply of blank receipts, with the col
lectors signature autographed, with
which they qualify % their imported
Maryland negroes to vote at Delaware
elections?
Fourth. Why does the Morning News
steadily endeavor to attract public atten-
ton from this scandalOus fraud and for
gerry and outrage on the citizens and in.
of our state, by it's inuendoos
and foolish criticisms ON Neary and
Dickey.
We trust that the News viii be as
willing TO answer questions as it is to
ask them and | shall hold myself in
readiness to exchange courtesies in this
particular. INQUIRER.
Wilmington, Del, June 2, 1889.