Daily Republican., 1890-02-14

Inc question OF the greatest I'M
portAuce 10 the people of Wilmington
now ID, shall the workingtnen and me-
chanics OF the city be permitted to pay
their poll taxes that 10, shall q proper
opportunity be given them to pay
Without subjecting them to loss Of time
and expense in vain hunting for and
waiting for the tax collectors. This il
serious question for consideration.
a. In our Stats the paying Of . tax is
the oct OF Acknowledgement and the
failure TO do 20 deprives Q citizen OF
his right TO vote. The Republican
pol Taxpayers Of this city have not
he'd mir opportunities OF paying their
taxes. This we say 10 the truth, no
matter how much It may be denied or
who denies II. In the recent decision
OF the court on the mandAmus Ques-
ton Chief Justice Comegys said the
collectors should give every reasona.
b. opportunity Tor tho people to pay
their taxes, even II 1t took more
clerical help.
Collector Dougherty said In his an.
swer to the application for manda-
mus that the taxpayers had until
March to pay their taxes, which was
ample time. None OF the implied
conditions by the Superior Court have
been compiled W tn. The collectors
have given less favorable opportunities
for paying taxes than they gave before
the dec sion was made. They have
looked upon that decision as terrifying
them In the course they had pursued,
and they have given the thumbscrew
OF Acknowledgement q few extra turns.
Collector Mckee was at his house sick
several days, which Of course he could
not help, and at other times was hard
10 catch In his Office. Large numbers
Of poll taxpayers have gone to pay
taxes and bad TO go away without pay.
lug Mr.. Mckee did not leave any
body In his Office to receive poll taxes
In his absence, but provided fully tor
receiving property taxes. This Is the
way the suggestions OF the Court have
been met.
Bad as 1t has been with Mr.. Mckee,
II has been worse with Dougherty.
He was absent two whole days and a
hall of other days this week from his
OihSCy uulChb hS Alhuc W
drop in few minutes. Large num-
bers have cone from the Railroad
shops, the car shops and the machine
shops to pay their taxes, but cannot
come up with the collector. They do
not mind the pittance of tax they have
to pay, but they do mind the time
which to them lie money, they lose in
paying it. When Mr.. Dougheriy is
away from his office, he has made
provision 10 receive the taxes of prop.
erty owners but none Tor receiving
pol taxes The recommendations oil
the court are de6antly set aside and he
n . law unto himself.
while these collectors are ueina
every artince to keep Republican poll
taxpayers from paying their taxes,
there 10 the best of reasons for belief
That they are busy at night and at in.
tervals In making out tax receipts to
be sent by the dozen and in bundles 10
Democratic ward committees for dis
tributlon among Democratic poll tax
payers, go that they need lose no time
in coming 10 the lax office. In this
they use the most shameful discrimi
nation. Republicans have 10 lose scv
eral days in many instances beior,
they can get their taxes paid. and man,
OF them even fail then, willie Demo
Gratis need not lose eingle hour, Thi
Is the truth about the tax question, le
Who will deny it, and there are mont
VITO know better thsn the collector;
themselves that this is true.
Tie matter should be Immediately
1lken before the courts and auo,he
flea lie made Tor simple Justice. True
from the receptions The Republican
have met with before the courts tn
prospect is not encouraging, but
should be taken there anyhow. IL
rublicans should exhaust ever eiiOl
ihat can be devised 10 get justice, an
y they are all refused they will hav
ihe consciousness of ha wing done ihel
tnll duty, exhausted every plea, an
.ihen leave tho matter with the peopl