Evening journal., 1891-02-26


time OF the meeting. over one hour, was
occupied by j. H Myers, who held the
earnest attention of the committee. His
remarks we're directed to the merits Of
| Of thu Myers system, and It's material ad-
vantages over other systems. rather than
to details of the bill, which Is already
regarded as remarkably perfect Mr. Myers
began by conceding 20 this particular
legislature, an honest desire TO secure
real ballot reform aud then referring 70
the question of the constitutionality of
his system. he reminded the committee of
the duty and responsibility resting upon
them, selected rs thay we're on account of
| their superior fitness, from among the
sovereigns of this state Mr. Myers said
The JOINT und srstRnding Of the state or
| society of men united together, is the
legislative power, which is tho directing
| power and is absolute. without appeal or
control except as "limited" by the con
stitution state constitutlol does not
bestow powers on the Legislature, 1t
simply limits them As to the
entire res!duum OF state powers the will
Of the Legislature is absolute,
hence state constitutions must be con
strued literally, because for the peoples
! progress ard interest, and % secure 10
them the largest liberty aud freedom
The rule Of construction OF the United
/ States Constitution Is directly opposite
being government OF delegated,
limited powers IL should be strictly con
stru' d, 1t having no powers except express
grants and powers necessarily incl
dent. Unless an express limitation is
found Ia the state constitution, defining
or combining the words "by ballot" to a
special plan of casting secret vote the
people OF the state the source OF power,
directing through their representatives
TO day, can adopt the modern
method OF voting "by ballot" under
the Myers system After quo ing judicial
authorities Mr. Myars dwelt at length
upon this merits Of his system and the
good impression made u pom The commit
tee was plainly manifest Mr. Mge~s
closed by offering several written amend
ments
In the evening Alexander Fulton had |
a short informal talk with the mem bers
Of the committee on the sane subject |
He represented the Farmers Institutes |
Of three counties, and presented the fact |
that the Myers machine has the endorse |
ment Of those bodies
Death Blow 20 Republican.
The strong Democratic lobby that came |
here yesterday from Sussex county in |
behalf of the bills to divide Cedar Creek /
and Little Creek hundreds aud thereby !
increasing The membership of the Levy |
Court OF Sussex county from thirteen to
fifteen, has done its work, but in an en-
tirely diff rent way from what was
anticipated.
The fact Of the matter Is that to-mor-
row Five Commissioners bill for Sussex
county will be- introduced Mr. Ross
gave notice Of 1t to day and A P Robin
son, OF George own, was engaged until
late TO uight drafting it The bill pro
vides that the Levy Court and all ils
uiately upon the passage Of tie
act. and the governor appoii
five commissioners, without regard 10
minority representation The salaries
OF the commissioners shall be $500 each
There Is no comptroller feat ure, and the
clerk Of the peace lids the same relation
to the commissioners that he now holda
TO the Levy Court. The commissioners
appointed by the governor shsll hold
office until the next general election.
when they shall be elected for term o
two years.
This turn Of affairs was brought about
by Senator Williams He was told BY
the Sussex men how the present Repub
lican members had conducted themselves.
and he said:
Well, gentlemen, am not in favor
Of the two bills now pending IL looks
inconsistent to decrease the legislative
and financial body OF New Castle TO i've
mem bers and increase that of Sussex
county from thirteen ia fifteen IL thes
republicans are Gs bad as you represent
hem why do you want to keep them in
Ny advice Is to draw up Commissioners
ill aud turn thu id rascals ou.!
will support such bill IL properly
framed
The bill will be introdnc ID o-morrow
he rules suspended and given its second
'eading and be referred to the specia ,
committee. aud will, probably be called
lp Friday for passage
There is no doubt hat that strong Re
publican pressure will be brought TO beal /
against the bill
on TO Washington.