Middletown transcript., 1891-03-19
I,eaislariYe Happenings.

i
imissioners of st. Georges hundred Il
raise by taxation 81, 900 more than /
now allowed, which viii make th,
total amount available $4,000 insteaC
Of $500 as the law now requires vii
probably pass without much, If am
opposition. 1t is considered neces
sary measure. The bill which comes
next in interest to the people of thil
community is that to allow the levy
court of this county to appropriate
yearly the sum of $500 for the pur
pose Of repairing the banks of the St
Georges Marsh Company.
The petition which accompanied
this bill was signed by a great many
people throughout the county and
carries with it great deal of weight
on account of the fact that very valu-
BILE roads cross this marsh. The
banks are now in bad condition and
the Company Is unable to do the
necessary repairing. The bill will
have a hard time getting through If
it goes at all as it is a worthy object
those interested should go to Dover
and state tn cir position and the rea-
sons for asking for the appropriation.
Mr.. Fulton's Tax Bill is losing
ground. Many of the farmers who
have heretofore considered it a good
thing are getting shy as the mort
cages on which they have been pay
ing 5 or 81 per cent. are now quoted
at not less than the legal rate of per
cent. We have seen two cases Of this
within week and it is the method
taken by the loaners to provide
against possible tax on mortgages.
Some of the Oranges are also protest
ing against its passage and the prob
ability is that the farmer and land
owner will go right along paying all
the taxes in the same old way.
The divorce bills come in at their
usual rate and keep the Legislature
at work. Road and ditch bills go
through the House at lively rate,
but are always killed in the Senate.
There is slight hitch in a Constitu-
tional Convention bill which passed
the House calling an election this
year the Senate wishes to follow
strictly the prescribed mode and will
probably refuse to agree to an cleo
tion before May, 1892. The bills
which engage the attention of the
whole people are those to change the
system of county government by the
substitution of county commissions
for the Levy Courts.
The Sussex levy court of investiga-
tion fame has protested against the
change, and the redoubtable j. Fran
els Bacon wants to be their spokesman
before legislative committee. The
members of that committee should be
able-bodied, not liable to be overcome
by the eloquence of the Investigator.
The bill to provide for five commits
sioners for this county is now ready
for action and, provided Mr.. Williams
is able to attend, will go through
next week. The plan to apply the
same system to each of the three
counties is expected to materialize
and there will probably be no levy
court within the State at the close of
the session. There is an undercur-
rent of influence which seeks to post
pone the Inauguration of the new
system in this county for two years,
but it is more than likely that it will
take effect at once.
The bill in relation to repairing the
banks of the Long Island marsh at
public expense is reposing quietly in
the hands of committee where it is
likely to remain. The Benefit Socie-
ties were heard last night in opposi-
tion to the Ridgeley bill which renders
their business within the State unlaw-
full. This bill has already passed the
House and is now being considered
by the Senate. In the House there
was not vote against it's passage.
A committee from the various lodges
went to Dover last night and stated
their case. Those representing the
Fraternal Guardians and the Annual
Benefit of Middletown were W. W.
Black, Walter o. Stack, Harry 8.
Beasten and several others. They
met with a cordial reception and
were given a patient hearing. The
workings of the orders were carefully
explained and the committee were
shown wherein the Ridgeley bill
would work a serious injustice to
many wage-workers throughout the
State. About IT'S counts the mem
bership here and not less than $1,000
per month is paid to the Supreme
Officers at Philadelphia in the way
of dues. The bill has already passed
the House, but it will likely be held
up in the Senate.