The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1891-03-25


through the Legislature to-day or some
day very soon, certainly this week IL at
all. Let 1t be distinctly understood
from the start that the Republicans OF
New Castle County arc not opposed to
having County Commissioners. They
were In favor OF County Commission
ers whenthe Legislature was in session
Two years ago, and tried to get them,
but the Democrats then wanted moth
ing to do with them. They then had q
solid Democratic Levy Court, and in a
political point of view had no need of
them. Now, these same Democrats
are calling aloud upon the Legislature
TO give them County Commissioners.
What has changed the spirit of their
dreams in so short period? They
have lost their grip upon the county;
1t has elected Republican Lazy Court
and now they need commissioners
They will no doubt'get them but they
will get them at fearful price. They
will get them at the sacrifice of honesty.
at the sacrifice of a Republican form of
government that permits majority
rule.
For more than century Delaware
has been holding her elections at the
timeappointed, and the persons elected
have always been permitted to fill the
Offices to which they were elected.
Sometimes large majorities were
given. sometimes very small ones,
but It was all the same. Nobody, un-
Gil now, ever attempted to override
the will Of the majority. Federallst
and Republican of the early stages
oil our government, Democrats and
Wings Of the middle stage, and DEM
ocrats and Republicans OF the latter
stage, have all agreed that maioritlos
shall rule until now. And what now
do we behold2 The Democratic party
OF the State, stamping out majority
rule In the most bold and reckless
manner. Free elections in Delaware
were not interfered with until 1875,
when the present infamous assessment
laws were passed, for no other purpose
than to suppress the Republican vote.
This was a step toward political tyr
amy, but the people were still left in
the possession Of majority rule. The
modes by which majorities were OBJ
talned Were dishonest but still major
Tues were pernltted 10 RUE. but even
TINS semoiance Oh majority rule Is TO
Dc wiped Out now
for the nrst time In twenty years The
ltepupiiean party OF New Castle
county mas eiected Levy Court by
no mar preadth escape OF majority,
put oy real solid majority oil over
eoo on the Levy Court branch OF the
ticket. Very likely, II the Repuoll-
cans had gained such a victory years
ago the attempt would have been made
then TO stamp out majority rule that
Is now maze Tor ever since 1873 the
Denocfats nave mad very little regard
tor political honesty. The Republican
Levy Court IN performance OF the
ionctions OF It's oiiice' met, organized
ana proceeded TO business. 1t revised
tne assessments 1t appointed collec'
tors OF taxes, trustees OF the poor, Jail
commissioners, ]mi physician, a
county treasurer 1anitor, watchman
anu nfeman at inc Court House,
county cohsuoles ana all Officers
PROVIDED lor under the law. More
tnan that 1t has employed an expert
accountant 10 go over the books OF the
county ana see That everything is in
proper ana honest shape. This last
step was demanded by the people,
democrats as wei as Republicans. Sc
everything mas been provided for and
everything Is moving along In a law
Aul ana oruerly manner.
Inc Levy court, and all the ap-
polhtees under u expected to be sub
aeco 10 the VIII OF the people until the
people at Inc next election passed
upon their conduct. Ihey expected
county commissioners elected by the
people at the next election to take the
place OF the Levy Court not only OK
pected IL out favored 1t. A strict and
honest construction OF the law woulC
nave been That the six Levy CourtmeI
elected at the last election should hold
their oinces FOR four years, the legal
term Tor the election OF Levy Court.