Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1891-01-08

| BONDS FOR INSANE HOSPITAL.
| The General Assembly at its last session
wisely provided for need that had been
long felt by our most conservative and re-
Elective citizens in authorizing the estab-
lshment OF State institution for the care
OF the insane, and with this in view di-
feeted the purchase from the Trus-
County, Of the building now used
and occupied as an Insane Hospital at the
sum of seventy-fiye thousand dollars, and
made provision for the payment of same
by directing the issue of the bonds of the
state TO that amount. Pursuant to this
authority, bonds of the State were duly
prepared and executed, and were in fact
sold, but question having been suggested
as to the validity of these bonds. the pur-
chasers thereof declined to take the same,
and the said bonds were afterward deliv-
| cred to and accepted by the said Trustees of
the Poor in payment of the purchase
money, and are still held by that body. 1t
is too obvious to require argument that
good faith on the part of the State demands
that the Legislature shall promptly make
provision for the payment of the bonds,
or pass an act removing any question as to
their validity.
CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.
The subject of calling Constitutional
convention, to alter and amend the Con-
stitution of this State, has been agitated
for the last decade.
AT the beginning of the late campaign in
this State all political organizations de-
clared themselves in favor of the calling of
Constitutional Convention for the pur-
pose named. You, as the representatives
OF the people, are expected to act in the
matter and to pass an act giving to the
gus liiied voters of the State the right to
decide the question. The present Consti-
ton has been in force for nearly 90 years,
andt there are many thoughtful citizens
VINO pel!eyethat the welfare and prosperity
OF the people demand a change of at least
some OF its provisions. Whether
majority of the qualified voters favor the
calling OF convention to alter change or
amend the Constitution, can only be de-
termined definitely by submitting the
question to the people fer their verdict. In
the submission Of this question for the
purpose OF ascertaining their views, | most
respectfully recommend that YOU follow
the provisions named in Article IN of the
constitution. ! am aware that many per-
sons IN Tins state regard the provisions re-
lerred TO for calling convention to alter
the Constitution as simply advisory and
not mandatory; but, it cannot be denied
that until recently it has generally been
accepted by many of the most conserva-
tive and cautious men of the State as the
only way in which convention to change
the Constitution can be called without
doing violence both to the spirit and letter
Of the article referred to. II may reasou-
ably be doubted whether any Constitution
submitted to the people of the State, not
made in compliance with the mode
pointed out in the existing Constitution
for its amendment, would receive the APP
Proval Of the voters of the State.
FREE SCHOOLS
Inc Importance of proper facilities for
the education of the children of the State.
has for many years been recognized not
only by our citizens generally but by the
Legislature, which has from time to time
made provision to secure that object Our
system of Free Schools, established more
than 80 years ago, has been improved by
Snch needed legislation as experience
mas shown to be necessary to render ii
efllclent for the purpose sought, and the
school fund increased from time to time
by such additional appropriations as We're
deemed necessary to meet the requirements
While our school system has proved
efficient and beneficial and has met the |
wants Of the people Of the State it has not |
escaped certain abuses that the Legislature |
should remedy. OF recent years, at every |
session of the General Assembly, petitions |
and bills have been presented for the diyi- |
sion OF school districts and for laying out |
HiAiNltli'tl ulSlTltLS. Mnile Inc /
large increase in the number of schools. by |
the division Of districts originally laid out, |
IN the several counties has made the |
schols more accessible to the pupils it has
reduced the number of scholars in some |
districts so that it has been found difficult
II not lmpossible,to maintain the schools at
certain seasons Of the year for the want of
pupils, / respectfully suggest such amend I
ments to the law as will prevent further
changes in the school districts unless upon
the application Of a majority of school
voters in each of the districts to be affected
by such change.
practice Of having school districts in
corporated and having them removed from
the supervision OF the superintendent Of
The uniform system of school books
directed by law to be used in the free
schools of the State. | suggest that fine
Legislature take such action as will place
the entire schools of the State under the
supervision of the superintendent Of free
schools believing that such provision in
our school system would greatly improve
and benefit the schools Of tile several
invite your careful consideration to the
propriety of so amending our school laws
tnat the person or persons in the school
district desgnated to receive the state
school dividend, should give bond to the
state Tor the faithful application Of the
money entrusted to his or their care. Such
IN amendment to the school laws would
ipinpel the school voters to select proper
committees, and protect the school districts
from the loss of their money. as has been
NE case IN some instances within the last
lew years.
SCHOOL FUND.
For several years past ii has been CON
leded BY most persons that the money
rising from the investments from state
Appropriations, and other sources, iii con-
JUNCTION witt the money raised by taxa
ion IN the school districts, was sufficient
.or all school purposes. Indeed the school
exports show that annually large tIuey-
pended balance remained in the hands of
ne school cainmitteeS in some Of the dis
ricts
Under the provision Of an act entitled
a further supplement to the act entitled
An act to regulate the sale IF intoxicatinr
liquors, which was passed by the Legfs-
allure April the 9th, lSsD il Is found that
he school fund has increased 10 such an
Extent that the school dividend, in adtIi
ION to the amount required by law to
r. raised IN the districts, produces or
'aises more money for the schools than
'an pc properly or economically spent In
iome portions Of the state under existing
avs. In Fact, at the last settlement with
he school commissioners by the auditor
If accounts, there remained in the hands
IF the school committees Of the several
counties IN unexpended balance Of SO
1910. This condition If affairs renders
ome legislation upon the subject also
utelv necessary
Two ways, or plans, have been suggested
~ those Interested in free schools 10 rem
.dy this state of affairs. one plan pro
losed is TO decrease the amount Of taxes
hat the school districts are compelled 10
'aisc under existing law in order to draw
he State dividend. The other plan that
las been suggested is for the trustee Of lie
eho9l fund 10 purchase the school books