Evening journal., 1890-03-20

engaged In the PRACTICES nov being fol-
10 ned by another organization, the name
Of which it is needless to mention. Mr.
Vandegrift spoke Of the new awakening
in politics and Of a disposition 20 discuss
political matters greater than ever before,
There must be some reason for this and
unless we discover that reason we cannot
fully appreciate its Importance. Taxpay
ers for the past thirty years have grum-
bled when taxes were too high. That
was all. They never took held of the
matter. This was because they did not
feel the need of taking care of the pen
MES.
Mr.. vandegrlft spoke at length on the
c ondition OF the farmers. and Of how,
when there was vast unsettled Western
country. land WAS cheap aud farmers
were enabled 10 produce without much
cost and give So for ST.. The farmers
ere the greatest industry Of the coun-
try greater than all other Industries
combined. This Western country has
been filed up Farmers can't make the
money and they can't pay their debts
They have not even the one dollar. 1t is
because Of this that the people are wax
ing up, and for every dollar they pay out
they want TO have an account and they
will have an account. The party that
does not heed this will 20 down. II will
be showed under, 1t is my desire that
the Democratic party shall give the best
government for the least money How
shall it be doneg The greatest benefit that
could happen would be an absolutely secret
ballot. Call 1t by what system you
choose. You want il so that g voter can
vote and no one will know who he voted
for. | believe by this method that you
would free elections from bribery and
undue influences.
M. Vandegrift spoke at length on the
desire for a secret ballot, the desire for
the best men for Office and the party with
the best principles He declared that the
secret system Of voting would be the
! panacea for all evils, and this is the key
note OF the great reform that Is coming.
The party that does not heed 1t will be
left. If the next Legislature would
enact an absolutely secret ballot system
and then adjourn, it would accomplish
| more real good than any other Legislature
since 1897.
Mr.. vandegrift did not know whether
or not he was in favor OF electing county
officers. II they could be elected by
secret ballot he would be in favor Of it
There was great complaint about the
assessors and collectors and that the laws
are used TO disfranchise voters. If any
man wants to pay his tax he can do so
There is no trouble to pay tax. A man
has from April TO January in which he
can pay his tax. Then there are the five
days in which he can pay. He can get
on the assessment list by applying to the
| Levy Court A man ought TO be
compelled to pay tax. If he did not
he should go to Jail, and there be
compelled to earn every dollar it cost the
county to keep him. A premium should
| be put on the industry of collectors
They should be as dilgent in the collec-
tion Of taxes as If every dollar of the
money went in their own pockets.
Mr., Vandegrift hoped that ex-Collector
P. Neary would be heard on this point, as
the sx-collector knows more about Della
ware collection and assessment laws than
any other man in the state The club
should make Mr.. Neary address them on
the subject.
Mr. Vandegrift said that IL had become
customary 10 "cuss the Levy Court. The
newspapers went for the Levy Court, and
almost every man you meet on the street
has something to say about the Levy
Court This is not right Although the
J county had large debt it had something
J to show for it. There are the Cosri
House, the bridges in this city and tn,
valuable county property. It is better Il
view the matter with moderation than 3,
} make up our minds that the Levy Court
is to be damned on every occasion.
Mr. Vandegrift said it would be a mis-
take to retain the Levy Court. II the
angels came down and acted as the Levy
Court we would have to dispense with
them. The three commissioners bill
5 was discussed and he told of how tn,
/ Republicans were insecure in the matter
] and said they did not want district rep
resentation. The Republicans made al
' election dodge out of the matter /
passed the House and was sent into tn,
Senate near the time for adjournment
4 But the Senate took the bill into consid-
Grafton at once. They sat up all tn
night and all the next day
They made amendments asking
that controller be pu
in and this man to be responsible for al
the money. This original bill as it passed
the House in no way reformed the ma
chinery of the court. It merely wanted
! to put in three commissioners who coull
I do as they pleased, instead of eleven.
, Mr.. Vandegrift closed with words O.
! eommendation for ex-President Cleve
, land, who had formulated policy for tn
T party. He made strong ple
for honesty in politics
The speaker was frequently interruptei
by applause. On melton of Mr. Neary
vote of thanks was extended with hearty
j. good will to the speakers