The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1891-09-28
FOURTH edition
THE TAX MIDDLE.

the Raok-He Declines 20 Answer,
for fear of Criminating Himself.
The Investigation committee OF the
Levy Court met this morning at 10
O'Clock In the Levy Court room. The
members, Messfs. Hutchlson, Hick-
man. Jolls, Clark and Eliason, were
all present. MIR. Hutchinson by virtue
OF his appointment was chairman
and Mr.. Jolls was elected secretary.
Tue roll Of witnesses was then cal led,
when most of those summoned an
swered TO thell names; Others came in
afterwards. Senator Higgins, being
present, requested of the committee
that he be examined as soon as possi-
BILE, as he had business which called
him from the city.
Mr.. Jolls offered a resolution which
was adopted, inviting Edward G. Brad
ford, ESQ, counsel for the Levy Court,
to be present at the slttings of the
committee.
About lO.45 O'Clock Mr.. Hickman ask.
ed what the committee was waiting
upon.
Mr.. Jolls: Upon the attorney of the
Levy Court
Mr.. Hickman moved that tho tax
receipts he produced In Court and di-
vided to correspond with the Northern
anu SOUTHERN ulSlTlStS.
Mr.. Clark moved to amend TO hear
the witnesses, which amendment was
adopted.
Mr.. Bradford coming into court beg
ged to be excused as he had only been
notified few minutes before that his
presence was wanted.
Chairman Hutchinson called John j.
Dougherty.
Mr.. Hickman and Mr.. Eliason both
vigorously protested against doing
anything until the tax receipts were
produced They said there was no
basis to go upon without the receipts.
On motion of Mr.. Clark the commit
tee agreed to go on and hear other
evidence.
Mr. Ellison said that these tax re-
ceipts may never be produced.
MIR. Jolls said that the tax receipts
would come up in the regular course
of the proceedings.
Mr.. EIickman-."That Is putting the
cart before the horse.o
Mr.. Bradford suggested that Senator
Higgins be heard.
Mr., Jolls moved that the Senator he
called. Adopted,
Mr.. Eliason said he had no objections
to Senator Higgins being heard, but he
thought the tax receipts ought to he
Senator Higgins was sworn.
Chairman Hutchlson-"Mr.H Higgins,
we are ready to hear any statement
you may have to make"
Senator Higglns-'I would prefer to
answer any question you have to ask"
Mr.. Hickman--"We do not know
what question to ask as ong as the he.
ceipts are not produced"
Mr.. Higgins said that so far as he
was personally concerned any preliml-
nary proceedings would be acceptable
to him and he would appear and an
swer later.
Mr.. Bradford said that the great OBJ
| ject should be to reach the main point
as soon as possible. These collectors
should be brought befor the court and
made to tell what they had done with
the money they collected and it was
charged they had not paid over to the
county.
At his request tho resolution under
| which the committee was appointed
was read. This money Is what the
committee was after and the metho.
dical course to pursue would be first
to examine the collectors. Their an
swer may very greatly abbreviate the
case. If they admit that they received
the money, there Is an end OF tiff they
deny IL then it makes il necessary to
bring forward the proof TO show that
they did receive It,.
Mr. Hickman-"I disagree entirely
with MIR. Bradford. | would have the
receipts brought first.
The name of John j. Dougherty was
then called, but he did not answer. A
messenger was despatched to hunt
around the Court House for him, but
he returned withouth him.
On motion of Mr.. Clark an attach.
ment was issued to bring Mr. Dough.
erty before the bar of the court by 80
y. nj.
George W. Mckee was then called.
He appeared, and Deputy Sheriff CHIN
administered the OATH
On motion of Mr.. Clark, Attorney
Bradford was requested to conduct
the examination.
| In answer to MIR. Bradford's uues-
toms, MIR. Mckee sud he was colIec.
torior tho South District of Whining
ton in 1870, was qualified and received
duplicate OF taxes to collect.
At this juncture, Charles b. Lore,
Esq, came IN and took seat beside
Mr.. Mckee.
Mr. Bradford you, or did you
not early in January the present yeal
receive certain moneys from Daniel T.
Stewart or any one else forenrtaln pol
taxahle5 on your uuplicltessH
Mr.. Hickman - II protest against
this mode OF procedure until the tax
reeeipts in question are produced 4"
Mr.. Mckee--"l decline to answer"
MIR. Bradford-"Un what groundsy
Mr.. Mckee, do not thing this il
the proper course to pursue"
Mr., Mckee then said that on the 23d
day OF Juno the Levy Court made oul
what he had to pay and he had since
then paid every dollar with Interest
and costs of sherih's levy.
MIR. bradford said ii he refused IL
answer the questions asked there wAs
no other course TO pursue than TO no
commend To the Levy Court TO Apply Il
the supreme Court Tor an attachment
Mr.. Mckee said he would he com.
PEELED to obey but he declined to an
swer,
Nh. Bradiord-'Did you or did you
not have any understanding with Dan
lelf. stewart OF any one else that you
would furnish tax receipts Tor mum
Der OF noil-ttXable5 on yuurduplicate.
il he would pay the taxes against
him"
AIr. McKee-,I decline to snswer."
MIR. BradfOrd-"Did you or did yo,
} not go to Daniel +. Stewart, or any
body with tho request that he SHOULD
pay to you the taxes OF number o
Republican poll tdXablcs ON your du
piiuates with an Assurance on you
part, that yoa would give him receipt
for liepubiean POLL taxes"
Mr. Mckee, decline to answer
Mr., Bradford -"Dia you on did VOL
not on or about the 10th of March, re
cclYe from Daniel +. Stewart ?lO53. OS
. in ululiipu ia s45Ou rnpniynl ~ Ihn q,