Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1891-04-09

ground tomorrow for the erection OF the
factory had they gotten the bill through.
This factory, rs before stated, is to be To-
Gated opposite the old academy, At the
southern entrance To town, and il is eX-
pected TO give employment when in full
running order, to about 40 persons hn-
other forthcoming Dover industry is the
button factory, company TO operate
which has been recently incorporated.
Manufacturing in this line is to be started
ia the second story of Il binding west of
the railroad and close by the depot The
buttons are TO be made from oyster shells
pearl buttons.
DOVER, April The Senate Committee
did not reasonable, according to prear-
rangement at 1870 Il. m, To continue the
consideration of the Five Commissioners
bill, for the reason that a delegation of
Wilmington had come down asking for
hearing. The delegation comprised Alessrs.
Levi q. Bird, 5. N. Curtis, Isaac S. Elliott,
Watson r.. Sperry, Washington Hastings,
W. Z. Spruance, BENJAMIN Nields
George G. Lobdell, and number moe
arc to come down this afternoon. After
the journal had been read, the Senate took
a recess Of one hour to give the delegation
a hearing. MIR. Spruance srid that this
rather took him and his associates some.
what by surprise; he would perlcr to
wait until evening, by which time the
others would arrive, and then address the
members of both Houses. However, il it
was the wish of the Senate to proceed at
once he would ask for u few minutes to
confer with his colleagues.
Mr. Spruance then retired to consult
with his delegates and in the meantime,
information having been conveyed to the
House of what was IN progress and of the
desire of the visitors to be heard by all the
members of the General Assembly, the
House adjourned and, through Mr.. Iig-
gins, an invitation to transfer the hearing
to Representatives Hall was extended, ac-
cepted and everybody Hooked over to the
other chamber.
senator Ross having then taken Speaker
| Sirman's chair, MIR. SprlIance reopencd
| the meeting. He said that it was generally
admitted that the old system of county
government could be improved on, and
| that other communities had for years en-
| ioyed better systems of government. We
have not come down here, he said, to OPP
| pose all change; we believe smaller body
| of men can better manage the affairs of
the county. The bill that is now in the
hands of the committee few of us have
seen until within few days; but the gen
eral subject was not unfamiliar and some
| of lis have given very careful thought to
the same. The delegation here was but
the advance guard Of much larger dele
| CATION to come down later in the day, and
| he could have wished the hearing post
1 poned until the Others should arrive. This
bill proposes FIVE commissioners with a
salary of $500 each. He would much pre-
| fer three commissioners at 81 800 each. He
decidedly liked the feature of re
cciver of taxes. He had always thought
it very foolish to pay the large commits
sions now paid to collectors. A salaried
officer to receive the bulk of the taxes,
with collectors to gather in what was diff
cult to collect, would be much better. The
rebate features of this bill he also an
proved; the same system worked very well
| in Wilmington. He rather liked the idea
Of comptroller. There are other features
of the bill he would approve; but the gen
eral scheme of county commission
and q d receiver of taxes he would par
ticularly approve.
But he didn't think the bill strong
enough in relation to requiring the receiver
oil taxes to keep his office open. II should
be made imperative upon him, under
heavy penalty, TO be at his office to receive
taxes during the time specified. Further
II he cannot lie present in person. he
should be required to receive taxes by
deputy. 1t ought also to be made clear
and distinct when he shall receive taxes
outside the city, and full opportunity
should be given the rural taxpayers to pay
their taxes. | don't come here, he added
in any spirit of captious criticism, but as d
taxpayer extremely interested in the Judi
clolla and economical administration of
the county's financial affairs.
This bill, ;" interrupted Mr.. Williams,
'has not yet been fully considered by the
committee. We are very glad to hear you.'
Mr.. spruance-I won't ask any mar
from Kent or Sussex to do anything which
he wouldn't do for his own county, and
want to most soemnly protest against any
Kent or Sussex member doing by New
Castle as he wouldn't do for his own
county. Mr. Spruance then proceeded tC
object to the extinguishment of poll taxes
after May LIST. He didn't sec why mar
who wouldn't pay his taxes should not bt
made to pay his taxes.
But there is one feature in which moi
only the Republicans, but large and in
tluential element Of the Democrats of New
Castle county are intensely interested. ThC
first section, by one fell swoop, obliterate:
the levy court and terminates its appoint
ments. Has it been suggested that this
levy court, elected by the people, earned
this abrupt decapitution? Has 1t misman
aged the county finances; has it made baC
appointments; has it betrayed the public
trnst2 These levy court commissioner:
were elected. 1t has been alleged tina
they were chosen by small majority anC
that there was a great deal of rascality
They were elected by the same vote tina
elected the New Castle members of THU
Legislature who hold their seats unchal
lcnged. But the paramount objection i
that you propose Immediately TO TAX
from the people of New Castle county am
voice in the selection of their rulers
This is undemoeratic, unrepublican
in the profoundest sense. II is enough Ii
make Thomas Jefferson turn in his grave
The Wilmington commissions are no
parallel cases. never heard of it sug
gested till now, whatever nHg be said 0
ii. .F
New Castle county, of iilaFkbird o
Brandywine hundreds, were not lit Il
govern themselves. 1t is dangerous to pu
into the hands Of this or any other COVER
nor precedent so dangerous. 1t is al
awful responsibility. Home rule? Why
. Ireland would be allame if the queen o
Great Britain should take the same contrC
minds to such changes in other details a
your Judgment may approve; but a
to this feature don't hesitate a moment
. Strike it out. Suppose the Republican
, were undertaking to do this very thing b.
Sussex county. Wouldn't you howl?
: don't think there is any different sol
Of morality applicable to differen
, places or times. Any known dc
parture from fair dealing Is dishonest
, DO unto us as you would hav
!, Us do unto you. Do not set such prect
dent for your political opponents. Suspen
the operation OF THIS Dill until the peopl
, can choose the men into whose hands tn
,, county government is to be committed
: You men of New Castle, doesn't your gal
: rise when you think of this wrong? Wher
is the hardship in what we ask 2 Let TIL
y y poor devils that have been appointe
! bridge-tenders and what-not stay unit
! after the next general election. Is il sufl
: ), cent reason that it changes tine p0litica
: government of the county? am not tall
! ing to men who have no conscience i
J politics; not to ballot suffers; am tallin
= to conscientious members of the Gener;
u Assembly, men who are not to be drive
!, or dragooned into doing what their col