Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1891-01-22


coed to make such observations and sug-
gcstions concerning the affairs of State as |
deem appropriate to the occasion and in
vite attention to those matters which i'm
portantly touch the interest and welfare of
our people.
FINANCES.
The gratifying condition of the States
treasury should be entirely satisfactory to
the people, exhibiting, as IL does, surplus
OF assets in excess of State obligations and
attesting the fidelity and wise husbandry
with which the finances of the State have
in the main, been conducted throughout
long and trying period. BY frugal admin
istration of our moderate resources every
pecuniary obligation of the State has been
promptly met and discharged, and the high
reputation thus earned has naturally
placed the financial credit of the State in
the first rank, and the consequent benefit
of paying the lowest rates of interest upon
our outstanding bonds has accrued to our
citizens-the latest amount refunded hav-
ing been S250,000 at the rate of three per
centum. The effect of this strict mainte-
nance of our public credit creates an ex-
ample and influence most beneficial to all
within the community.
The sources of the States revenue are
the income from well secured investments
and the taxes derived from the Use of the
franchises granted to railroad companies
anu oNHeT uuhSl-puDuC Corporations, SO
that no tax, except license fees is levied
upon the person or property of the citizens
1t appears to me highly desirable that
the rule should be established and en-
forced by appropriate legislation that no
collector or other depository of public
moneys could lawfully employ any por-
ton of the funds so received by him in his
public capacity for his personal use and
profit. am satisfied that great advantage
would accrue to the treasures of both the
counties and State by the adoption of such
a rule, and that the moneys of the public
should never become mingled with private
funds, or their payment delayed by private
arrangements.
FEDERAL RELATIONS.
The late unwise and impolitic increase of
tariff taxation upon our foreign commerce.
in addition to enhancing the cost of living
in this country, necessarily operates in the
restriction of foreign markets for our ex-
ports, which consists mainly of the natu-
raj products of the soil. No domestic tax
law can avail to protect the products of
American labor in any foreign market
and the higher the tax at home, the greater
the stimulation of foreign competition
with the products of American industries
compelling lower prices abroad, which in
turn establish lower prices for such pro-
ducts in our home markets. We conse-
quently witness everywhere in the United
States, and in painfully marked degree
here iii Delaware, extreme depression in
the rewards Of agriculture accompanied
by the impoverishment of the other occu-
pations. Happily n reform in these un-
wise policies may be anticipated which
shall bring relief. But the practice of
careful economy in all public expenditures
and relief from every tax not strictly re-
CURED for the just and necessary expenses
OF the State are manifestly the duty of all
entrusted with the task Of government.
FREE SCHOOLS.
In this pursuit of economy the duties of
a well ordered state to secure the opportu-
nifty of sound elementary education to
every child within its borders should not
be, and have not been, neglected, in Della
ware.
ieet ! submit, for the consideration of the
General Assembly,the expediency of Great
ing 4 State. superintendency of public
schools in addition to the existing county
superintcndency the object being to har-
monte our school system and prevent OBJ
iectionable features arising from county diff
ferences in the general plan of instruction
and school regulation. To the State SUPER
intendent should also be entrusted the
supervision of the colored schools and the
responsible administration of the funds
appropriated for their support.
SCHOOL BOOKS.
The children who attend our public
schools have, in many instances, am
credibly informed been obliged to discon-
tinue their pupilage for the sole reason of
the inability Of their parents to purchase
the required school books. This reason
should not be suffered to stand in the way
of public interest and the performance Of
ITS duty by q government based upon
popular intelligence to avert the perls
arising from popular ignorance. There
fore, would recommend the supply by
the State, of the required books, free of
cost, to the pupils. The increase of the
revenue for school purposes derived from
licenses issued to inns or taverns for the
sale OF Intoxicating liquors under theexist-
ing law provides ample funds for this to
be done without the levy of any additional
tax-the revenue from this source being
so, bS9.5I for the year 1889 under the old
law, and S65, 1884 for the year 1890 under
the new law-showng an increase of Si2,-
093.77 for 1890 over 1889.
The custody of all funds for the pllr-
chase of school books should be entrusted
to the State treasurer and secured by his
official bond. BY this means the purchase
and supply could be accomplished at more
favorable rates and better protection of the
public money provided. In this connection
| beg to draw your attention to the fact
tllub ulltltT lHC ITDNlSlDLS VI eNlSLlIb law u
large amount of public money derived
from the school fund is, at this time dis
tributed in the hands of the various clerks
of the school districts throughout the
State, and that no security is required for
the money so placed in their hands. An
efficient remedy for this shouldspeedily be
supplied.
COUNTY GOVERNMENTS.
The reorganization and reform in our
county governments was the subject of
much consideration by the last Eegisa-
ture, and measures were presented and de-
bated in both houses proposing changes in
the organization of the levy court for New
Castle county, but without definite results.
These propositions will doubtless be re-
newed at the present session. During the
late canvass the same subject was referred
to i'll the political platforms of both par
ties, and largely entered into public CON
sideration.
Changes in the established laws and Gus
toms Of people should be made carefully,
and a non-partisan spirit is always essen
tial to the enactment of wise reformatory
measures intended to be permanent. The
principle upon which county control in
this State is based, is local self government
the true school of American citizenship.
Responsibility is the best educator by
which men become trained in the manage
mcnt of public affairs, expanding their ex-
perience from narrow to wider theatres of
duty. Each part of the county has its own
local needs which are best eomprehendetl
by the residents of the locality and can
therefore be best expressed by local repre-
sentation. | strongly favor such changes
in the present law rs shall allow each
hundred to constitute a separate district
and elect It's own commissioner to the levy
court. This would serve also to secure the
presence of minority representation
which is most useful and desirable in re-
straining party excess. If it should be
considered that the present number