Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1890-03-27

Betias lnstliuteu tOr tne purpose or diS-
cussipg ths subject Of county govern
mont, was extremely successful, and. to
JUICE from the appreoiatory expressions
heard on every side ct the close, WAS
thoroughly enjoyed.
In the absence OF President j. o. Camp
bell, President OF Council John O. FAFsa
took the chair. Ue read the following
resolution, which now stands pending iu
the ciub's record !:
WHEREAS. In tho opinion OF the Young
Mems Democratic Club the ttms has come
when certain changes should be made IN
tho government OF New Castle county;
therefore, b0 It
Res5lged, That all Demo rats OF pro-
nolnGai views In the matter OF county
government be invited TO address this CLUB
on stated occasions for nnd against this
resolution.
President Farra explained that action
upon the nboye resolution had boen de-
fSrred by the club for several weeks in
ord5r that opportunity be given the mem
bsrs 10 listen to tho varioas opinions held
upon the question, and in orler that
when vote be taken upon the resolution
IL viii bs done upon the baIis Of snch in
formation gathered during the discus
siona. Ho then introduced the Hon.
George II, Bates.
WheY the applause which greeted the
spGRker's appearance had sUb5ided Mr..
Dates expressed his regret that since he
had received the Invitation to speak
hetGre the olub he had besn uDavoidsbiy
ensaged every day and had been unable
10 look into the question with ths dsggee
of attention which iie felt it deserved. He
was extremely gratihed to fad that the
Young Mons Democratic Club ia giving
ita attention to the discussion OF those
fundamental political principles. lie
explained that no WAS from home ~ the
tune the question of county goveEnm ment
RnJ the commissioners bill W9s engaging
public and legislative attention and was
lot familiar WITH the discussion OF the
subject at that time.
think, he said, the language OF the
resolution of the club has yoicad public
sentiment, and that you have simply
uttered o prediction whose accompli9h-
when n club such as this takes up q
question OF this nature. IT will be o
good thing if il be taken up by our party;
it would ha good for both parties to take
il up, but want to $50 the reforms made
ny Lll3 DtklNIEkltg HhAtN- HUBS
will be made, either through us or over
our hesds, but prefer they bs made
through us. must speak with little OPP
portunity for rehaction on tho subject
nul necessarily in som5Rhat desuitory
fashion.
There was sound and definite reason
for the existence of the levy court in iss
various features OF the time our present
sy8tem Hf laws was enacted. Tie hpn-
dred system with representative In the
Legia!atGie for each hundred Was suited
to tho neniB of the psaplo. Means of
communication were restricted to print
tive methoiR aud the EendNncy Of people
to move about ana The opportunities TO
Hen or even clrmrrioate with ono an
other we're vastly different from our
present facilities, Ihare was at that time
the necessity for more extreme degree
OF local Government in tho oonnty than
nov. II was reguiind THAT th9ra shaail
be representative ia the levy court OF
ono from e.ch hundred vino we1 thor,
GnEhly Informed upon the values Of
property in his neighb0rhood for the
pntp1se of n jus. assessment. But new
i.-'Gvs I'll know that there are numbers
OF people hcfe ia the city Of WILMINGTON
who caa give average values and also
specific Information upon property iu
any brnarsd. Rsal estate men don't
nsad TO write to the locality in question
Ia order to ascertEin property values
They San gain AL the know!edgs they
waus on the street. Then, too, the present
rapid naAus OF communication and
facility with which the couGty seat il
reached afflrd To the body hRving contr9
OF araesamsnts ample opportunity to oh
tain information from any locality wheI
required.
la general public discussion Just nov
great streSs is laid upon the need of re-
irenchment. Tho expensive sessions o
tho levy court are spoken OF. The eS
pGnses ia connection with the countj
court hnva also come under my notice.
have been desigous Of RegiaZ court il
this county, of one or more judges who
as Taxpayers Of the county, would b;
especially Interested to see the cxp5nae
kspt down. Hero the speaker referred II
aninstarc9 TINT came nnd4r his notice. o,
February 18th last two CASTS ware tfiGt
by special juries, There weye 30 Juror
on the p.nel. Ths GASES lasted for j
days. Tho iu,or8 were paid en- til
average mot isas than s3 day, Al
expense OF 800 day, all o. which
might be aayHi By discharging those no
needed. White prosecuting oli7ar
learned what vigilance is Eequiced TO pre-
vent wasteful expenditures for wlshosse
before the grGud jury.
1t ia not right thGt in one year TIER
ehonld be over S5, 900 pail by the STAT
for juries.
During ono yoer two aheriffs were paiC
over $40 600, while the entire em0un
paid to ths judiciary of the State, tn
chancellor included, is aboat 8l5 900
The entire Judiciary of the state COS.
less by 334 por cent than tho amount tn
sher;ff's oltice costs the county at large
Tho wAola feo eystem and allowance
system Instead OF salaries Is wrong
Under salaries system, one Of liberia
aalariss, Tho surplus would so iato th'
public treasury.
The speaker referred to the old system
of municipal salaries. Long ago th
MAYORS position WAS worth bstWaei
$1,000 and 50 0G0 annum and that Q
the high constable still more. The poo
pio thought they were paying the mayo
q salary OF IL 200 yens. lie was re
ceiVing outsIde of that double the amour
In fses, q fact which NO ouH hioTeciste
or thought Of at tho time. uudor ID
pres mt system the salary is 1850 an
ihe excess goes INTO the city treasury
And most OF ~ now what o substent!s
aid tue sum is in reducing public ea
pensea.
Another point to be criticisad il th
difficulty the citiZana hay3 IN Il a,ag Gu
what is done wish he public money
(The speaker expressed himself rs cpe
10 correction upon any OF his staten ent
having not hel tbs time ne desired t
examine into aetails) During last yoar
c-s sI..o ,r,.a grA nm v,asl frr bpid pe