Middletown transcript., 1891-03-26
LEGISLATIVE NOTES.
WHAT OUR REPRESENTATIVE ARE
DOING IN THE WAY OF BUSINESS
AT THE STATE CAPITAL.

DOING IN THE WAY OF BUSINESS
AT THE STATE CAPITAL.
A visit to Dover is an interesting
event just at this time to those VINO
are acquainted with our public men
and to those who take an interest In
public affairs. Yesterday was field
day and many prominent men OF
both parties journeyed to the Capital.
Among those who were looked upon
with the greatest interest were
Senator Gray, Benjamin Nields, Esq,
and Levi G. Bird, Esq, who were
there to correct certain mistaken
ideas regarding bill to retire any
Judge of the Superior Court or the
Chancellor on regular pay OF $S,OOO
per year, when the age OF seventy
years is reached and after nfteen
years of service on the bench. Tne
intent of this bill may be true to It's
words, but there is an impression
abroad that it is good way to Sc
cure the retirement of judges who
are too old or feeble to attend prop
erly to the very important duties OF
the office. Mr.. Nields and Senator
Gray each made short address TO
the Committee on Judiciary in which
they extolled the many good points IN
the character and service of the
present judges and impressed upon
the committee the injustice OF retir-
ing Judge who had served the State
faithfully for fifteen years without
that proper provision which would
render his life free from the harass-
ing cares of poverty. The explana-
tion of the measure seemed to be
satisfactory.
Among those who take an active
interest in agricultural affairs DIR. j.
J. Black, Col. E. L. Martin, Mr.. E. ID.
Bancroft and Mr.. J. I. Case formed
an interesting group of men who
have displayed great deal OF brain
power. The lawyers were represent
ed by James Penniwell, H. G. Con-
rad, j. Harvey Whiteman, Willard
Salisbury, Jr. and several others
who seemed to be chiefly interested
in the work of the divorce committee
which was in regular session. MT
Preston Lea and the redoubtable
Franklin B. Cotton have apparently
settled the difference between the
rival street railways of Wilmingto n
and were talking great deal in a
confidential way.
The absence of Senator Williams
was regretted by the friends of the
Commission bills as they are ready to
act upon and his presence is neces-
sary to secure their passage. The
mortgages on the D. M. & v. system
of railroads are causing considerable
discussion the fact that the P. W. q
B. Company cannot legally guaran-
tee the payment of the proposed
bonds is the stumbling block which
is likely to cause the downfall of the
whole scheme. The discrimination
against the people on the lines of the
D. M. & v. system have caused q
great deal of hard feeling and as a
consequence there is some talk of an
effort to revoke the charters. Such a
work will not be undertaken by the
Legislature this year as the session is
drawing to close and much other
important work remains to be done.
The Senate has passed the bill al
lowing the Board of Health of Viii
mington to appoint its own secre-
tary; heretofore this officer has been
appointed by the City Council and
William 81. Lee has held the Office.
There has lately been an effort made
to throw discredit upon the official
conduct Of Mr.. Lee and other means
of various kinds have been used to
break down his influence; this new
law finishes the work and cooks Will
liam's official goose.
A committee was in session yester-
day hearing the excuses of the Re
publican collector of Seaford hun
dred, Sussex county, for not receiv-
ing the taxes of white men who watt
ed patiently and without murmuring
while seventy-two negroes were ac-
comodated, after which the white
men were turned away. The collec-
tor has Disseminated in way which
is far beyond anything ever seen in
this county even in the palmy days
of Democratic rule with which the
Republicans found SO much fault.
The committee made it very hot for
the collector and Senators Pilling
and McMullin took hand in con-
demning his unlawful acts.
By the way, our st. Georges hun
dred Senator laid ont Senator Pilling
last week in way which was very
distasteful to the old gentleman who
is known among his Republican col
leagues as "high and mighty"
Senator McMullin being member OF
the divorce committee brought up a
very deserving divorce case and
wanted it read twice under suspen-
sion of the rule to this summary and
unusual proceeding Senator Pilling
took exception and rather patroniz
ingly and indirectly informed Senator
McMullin that he was doing wrong
He reckoned, however, without hi
host; Senator McMullin Informed
Senator Pilling that he (McMullin
could and would regulate his actions
by what he considered his duty to
the people and inferred that furthel
dictation was not needed and wa
certainly not asked for. Senate.
Pilling may be big man, but h
should remember that the st. George
Senator is one of a number of repre-
sentatives who know what they ar
| ovooo+od 70 do and try tn do IL