Evening journal., 1891-01-26


expenditures of the proceeds lie In
the rural districts, but she, at
the same time is vitally interested, for
these expenditures are made mainly with
her money. The population OF the city
Of Wilmington is concentrated in small
space while the reputation Of the rural
districts is scattered over wide area.
We could not however measure an urban
population with a rural population on
merely numerical grounds for the popu-
lation OF the rural districts is mainly
fixed and rooted in the grounds, while
Wilmington has q large floating popula
ton having no fixed interest but contin-
ually shifting and changing. Besides
the population Of Wilmington as have
served before is essentially different in
other characteristics from rural commu-
mites where simplicity and economy nat.
urallv pre Fail In this condition of
affairs there could be no such thing with
iustice to the rural districts as
representation according to popu-
lation, but Just consideration
Of the large proportion which
Wilmington paid toward county taxation,
as well as her large preponderance in
population, which would Justly entitle
at the same time, the rural community
would be safe by allowing II the other
three.
How the Division was Made.
Having determined upon the proportion
which should be allowed between the
urban and rural populations, the next
question came as to the division of these
communities into districts. Wilmington
was created into two districts and rural
New Castle divided into three, as will be
better seen by reference to an interesting
map published In the Every Evening of
Saturday last The governor was made
to appoint the first set of commissioners,
each of whom was to be a resident free
holder In his particular district, and
their successors were to be elected
at the general election in 1894,
and at each general election thereafter.
There was a reason why the appointments
of the governor were made to last four
wears. and why the general election In
1894 and every fourth year thereafter,
was the proper time to change the COM
missioners II will be observed that the
elections, which are selected for choosing
them, are such as occur in off years, when
no president Is to be chosen That is he
cause that it is only at such times that
county affairs can receive their just at
tention and county matters be thoroughly
discussed and criticised and unem barasst d
by the larger interests Of a Presidential
campaign, aud thus, the more accurate
sense of the people can be had upon q
matter of local concern.
1t will be further observed that each
commissioner is. to be elected by the
voters from his own district.
thus carrying out the district
system. A reference TO the Every
Evening Of Saturday will also show
that the rural districts possess maiorities
sufficiently small to force existing par
ties to make such nominations as shall
be most conducive to the general good.
Having disposed Of all other questions
which affect district representation ii is
made obligatory upon tie governor in
making the first appointments Of com
niissioners TO choose such commissioner
from that political party which at the
last general election showed a majority
In that district from which such appoint
ment was TO be made. That provision
showed a respect for political maiorities
which was only just and equitable for
the same reason, that II the county had
been treated as a unit and the commits
sioners elected from the county at large
the trainers OF this bill would have
felt impelled TO give the Republicans a
majority OF the commissioners.
The Second Feature.
We come now to the second leading
feature Of the bill, which is the introduc.
tion Of the comptroller system. No man,
who is at all familiar with the manner in
which our county finances have been con,
trolled for some years past, can fail tC
see the necessity for the Institution, oil
some system of checks and for the loca-
tion Of some direct responsibility In tbs
matter Of financial expenditure. The
loose prodigality Of expenditure Of publ,
monies the nnecOnomical mode iT
which the financial business Of thi,
county has been conducted during III,
past few years has been only too Sppar-
ent.
From farmer to day lsborer, from riel
to poor, the cry has gone up for sOm'
Improvement over our present system oI
expenditure until at last it has growI
70 be such a universal public demRnC
that IL must be needed.
II was 70 remedy the evils that haJ
been complained OF that the comptroller
system, as set forth in this bill, wa
formulated.
The County Comptroller.
A responsible off GER who is termed
county comptroller is in this bill, chsrgel
with multifarious duties He is mad
the practical supervisor over the collec
tion OF all taxes, Gnd from the time tina
the completed assessment reaches his han
until the taxes are collected, the variou
collectors Of taxes in this county ar
placed under his scrutinizng eye. Moth
ing is left for the collectors to do but =
receive taxes and receipt therefore. An
the collectors are oblidged, under this law
to make deposit OF the monies collected I
: the credit Of the county treasurer
There can be no county monies unde
2 the provisions Of this bill left to accumu
Z late in bulk in the collectors hands 70
the purpose OF private speculation
D Funds will be always In bank 20 NEE
: legitimate county bills. That appre
! hend viii meet with the approval Of =
: men Of whatever party.
Blank tax receipts can no longer unde
Q this bill be issued in bulk, and thu
? another good end is snbserved. tn
e county comptroller is moreover, given
T limited veto power over improper bill
= aud improper expenditures, and a
o appeal is left to the court, which seek
+ 70 me 20 be entirely proper. Arrsng,
a ments are also made in this bill for .
!, exhibit of the county affairs in detail Al
I for the removal Of county comptrolle
o who either willfully neglects or is gull
= Of wrongdoing in his Office. What ms
is there in this county who can in vie
Of all that has passed within recent re-
:. olleclion haN thai such nroxisions as a