Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1891-10-29

Mr. dutcnlson-"l dont sHink there
is any one in the lower part of the
county who doubts that the money has
been received by the collectors"
GENuINENEss OF THE RECEIPTS.
Mr.. Jolls-"The question of the
genuineness of the receipts when pro-
duced might be inquired into. pro-
pose to do so."
Mr.. Hutchison-"It would take so
long would lose my Christmas
dinner
Mr.. Clarlr--"I think the proposition
is fair one."
Mr.. Jolls-"I'd like Mr.. Eliason to
select the namos."
Mr.. Eliason--.'No; won't select your
names"
Mr.. lIutchison-"Wonder If Mr..
Biggs would have any objection?"
The clerk of the peace was escorted
in and without the slightest hesitation
commenced tho work of picking ont
names. He simply took up list No. 8,
calling seven names from each of the
Mckee wards.
Meanwhile Deputy United States
Marshal George NJ D.Watson appeared.
There was some hesitation as to whether
when the list was made there would be
time enough to complete the scrutiny.
Mr.. Hutchison-"This work should
be done right away. l don't want it
blown all over the county that tho tux
receipts were manufactured to fit the
selected list"
Mr.. Jolls was meanwhile making out
q copy of the names selected by Mr..
Biggs. This would afford two lists of
selected names.
mo-" replied the chairman in reply
to certain question, 81 keep the
original myself and Mr.. Jolls, as secre-
tary, keeps the other"
MIR. Watson-"All you want to do is
to notify me and will bring you the
tax receipts"
COMPARISON BEGUN.
Something influenced the members to
change their minds and with one accord
1t was deemed more judicious to go
ahead with the comparison Of tax re-
ceipts and make finish of it.
THE RECEIPTS IN VIEW.
Mr.. Watson who had been dispatched
for the tax receipts soon returned with
the delectable bundle under his arm. He
kept tight hold of his goods all the time
LIKE A BANK CASHIER.
Opening the package he took his seat
at table, spreading each ward bunch
in front of him and turning each receipt
over jealously and carefully, making
Two divisions only. He did II all as
neatly and in as businesslike a manner
as any bank cashier.
As the name was called off he selected
the receipt, if it were there, and passed
II along to the committee for scrutiny,
meanwhile his palms and elbows as
jealously guarded the others as If he
were croupier at Monaco and there
were thousands at stake on the throw Of
the dice.
A cursory glance, indeed more than
that, for the reporter did his best to
make an estimate of the number of re-
ceipts in the whole bundle, would to
his best judgment yield possible total
of 1900 on the table.
Subsequently an effort was made TO
get Mr.. Watson to say how many tax
receipts were in the whole bundle.
INCIDENTAL PROOF BY WAGER.
"l'll bet you my new umbrella" said
the reporter to Mr.. Watson, "against
your old hat that there are 1900 tax re-
ceipts in your bundle"
"Ill take you" replied the deputy
marshal, "and I'll lay you $50 to $40 |
that there are less than 700 and nearer
to 600."
The wager was declined by the scribe
when Mr.. Watson added, "Come into any
place here and you can count them |
over You know receipts bulge out |
very thick when stamped"
This was very valuable information |
gained for with only 900 to 700 for tho |
Mckee district which is the one under |
discussion there must remain $500 or |
3,400 of the purchased tax receipts to be |
distributed over the Dougherty district
of the 1900 sworn to have been re-
ceived.
THE M'KEE RECEIPTS.
Upon the table in different ward bun
dies were all the tax receipts of the
Mckee purchase. Very few had been
paid out to the owners. This has been
admitted.
They were all new receipts, never
creased for folding, as when one places
IL in u pocket-book. They were all
brand new and clean as If just from the
printers.
There was plentiful sandwiching of
pink receipts among them. The Twelfth
ward was almost all pink and contrasted
with other wards like the Tenth which
was all white.
do any of you know McKce's sigma
ture 7" Mr. Watson called out showing
receipt. There was this in regard to the
writing that there existed on almost all
the receipts marked similarity in the
style of penmanship of both body filling
and signature. The collectors signature
had, of course, all the characteristics
familiar to those who pay county taxes.
1t is thickish dashing script in regard
to the signature ITSELF
A BOUQUET OF DATES.
What would attract marked attention
however is the great variety of dates on
the receipts. The following wide range
YVES noted down IN less than three
dozen receipts: January 9th, 7th, Sth,
10th, 18th, 10Th, 10Th, Goth, February
9th, 18th and 27th, all of 1891. AS It
was admitted in evidence that the re.
ceipts were filled in by the Republican
or their agents, it goes to
prove by implication that the 'sfilling
in" process also included tho dating of
the receipt by other persons than the
collector. In addition il there exist q
of IL dates in three dozen orso
receipts, the query arises what extent of
of dates exists among the
1000? The payments were made only
on two occasions, consequently the
dating of the receipts is mainly at total
variance with the sworn date of pay
ment of money, and therefore oues-
tlon in regard to the integrity of the ro-
ceipts may arise.
In several instances the tax receipts
differed with the legend in list No. Q.
When the Tenth ward war non,a 60