Evening journal., 1890-12-30
Lax collso1oR. snsY.
rhe Agitation by tue Newspapers Bring
ing in the Money.

The Agitation bY the Newspapers Bring
ing in the Money.
However mercensry the motive that
actueted the Morning News IN making its
disclosures regarding the payment Of
taxes in New Castle county, it has had
its good effect in one or two directions
that the promulgstors OF the movement
did not anticipate.
Every effort it has made TO involve the
Democratic party or its agents in the
condition Of affairs has signslly failed.
The only effect it has had is to awaken
the taxpayers to an intelligent appre
citation of the fact that the county must
have the money that is due IT,
Rather than submit to having the
money recovered fro them by process
of law they are coming to the front and
paying their taxes readily
During the two dayspast the collectors
in this city have been kept very busy
writing out receipts for the money paid i.
Yesterday Tax Collector Dougherty took
in 5000 and Tax Collector Mckee 5000
A Visit TO The Tax onice.
When reporter called at the tax Office
at Seventh and Market streets this morn.
ing he found the collectors and their
clerks very busy, and tax payers patiently
awaiting their turn to pay,
Mr.. Dougherty showed the reporter the
tax office street books, which give the
names of those who have failed to pay
their taxes. 1t is amazing to learn how
many responsible taxpayers have not
made settlement. Men and won
n who are worth thousands
upon thousands Of dollars appear upon
l,n : IL J.L Al
This Is particularly true of the Fifth and
Seventh wards, where the taxes are high,
and the payment Of which would greatly
serve to fill the depleted county treasury.
The Collectors Happy.
The collectors are very busy and very
happy. The could only leave their desks
for q few minutes TO talk to the reporter
Mr. Dougherty said
Yes, we have been very busy. This
agitation started by the newspapers has
had good effect We did more busi-
ness yesterday than we had for a week
past. In fact, moro than we have during
any week siace we left the Office at No.
602l Market street
81 do not fear anything We will be
able to meet the Levy Court all right
"A statement made by a prominent
official that we had no authority to at
tach property for taxes until after the
first of the year, had a bad effect. It
caused many who would have paid to
defer payment from time to time. The
law gives us power to attach property
ten days after notification We have
given notice to the taxpayers that all
taxes not paid on or before January ], F.,
1891, will be obtained by attachment.
and we mean what we say.
Thanks to the newspapers, the pOople
under stand our position thoroughly. and
will not regard such action as a hardship,
but as 8 necessity
At this iunclure Mr. Dougherty had to
retire to his desk to write out receipts for
several tax payers.
Collectors at Work.
The collectors all over the county have
been stirred up. and are using every
effort to gather in the taxes since the
Levy Court expressed itself so forcibly.
a Case in Point.
Two men who live in st. Georges
hundred, within two days past,
have paid $500 taxes at Pencader
hundred The tax collector Of Pencoder
hundred has only Taid in $1,0i6.S5. His
duplicate calls for So, 936. 81, on which he
expects TO pay 81, 500 more by January
l, 1891.
II speaks Volumes.
Yesterday afternoon several prominent
Wilmingtonisns and large tax payers
we're talking and the conversation turned
upon the financial condition Of New
Castle county.
Il think it is an outrage that the
taxes have not been paid, said one man.
And l. retorted another, think that
those who do so much talking should pay
their taxes before they talk Permit me
TO ask you a pointed question: Have
you paid your taxesY
The man stammered, "Well. no; not
yet, but have been intending to"
That is just where the trouble comes
in, I" said his friend.
A canvass of those who were assembled
was made and not one Of them had paid
penny of taxes for 1890