Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1892-03-03

thursday morning
Routine work was continued in re-
vision of the assessment lists. The
Third district, that of Assessor Charles
Whann, was in hand.
The question was brought up by the
clerk, w. Pierce Biggs, in regard to the
constantly recurring changes and cor
rections required to be made in the
property assessment lists now in his
hands from the revision committees.
Mr.. Biggs inquired as to what method
he should adopt for the correction Of
these numerous and openly apparent
errors in property transfers made In the
revising committee of Levy Courts
property assessment returns. In some
instances the transfers of the same
property appear three or four times.
These mistakes, for which the clerks
office is not responsible, cause inccssant
trouble and bring blame upon the clerk.
Last year, it is understood, these clerical
errors made difference of over $4,000
In the total tax levy.
The court verbally, through Mr.
Buckingham, authorized the clerk to
mako the necessary clerical correction
ON property assessment errors only.
The following vouchers were accepted
on motion this morning: William II.
Moysten, Fifth ward; David l.. Virtue,
Eighth ward; William II. Long, Eighth
ward; all vouched for by Solomon
Hcrsey.
At noon court adjourned to p. m.
AT the afternoon session of Levy
Court the following court house EN-
ploycs were elected Janitor, John Lovy;
Night Watchman, John Spring; Fire
man, John Il. Rogers.
Levy Court met on Friday morning in
regular session.
A great part of the forenoon was de-
voted to the consideration of applicants
to be placed on the assessment lists.
The following names were ordered
placed on the lists : Philip II. Clark,
Fifth ward, James II. Clark, voucher;
William G. Pennypacker, Seventh ward,
James ii. Clark, voucher; Joseph a.
Ross, Mill Creek, Richard G. Buclsihg-
ham, voucher; John Q. Allen, Seventh
ward, Frank G. Stidham, voucher;
Charles L. Nostrand, Jr., First ward,
Francis $. Bradley, voucher; Harrison
Gould, First ward, G. M. ID. Watson,
voucher; Jesse S. Kennedy, Ninth ward,
j. Wilkins Cooch, voucher.
PROGRESS OF REVISION.
Revision of tho assessment lists has
now been in progress, without inter
mission since February Cd. Levy Court
is through with all the rural hundreds.
The lists have been certified to, sent to
the clerk of the peace, and he, in turn,
has sent out certified copies to be hung
up at various locations according to law.
In regard to Wilmington hundred the
Third district is completed in poll tax
and property transfers. A total of 372
names in this district have been listed
for action dependent on the results of
the chancellors decision in the pending
injunction case. Neither the First nor
Second districts are entirely completed
yet. Some new transfers are continually
being brought in and the poll .taxables
have not been gone over at all.
MIR. sUTToN's POSITION.
In regard to the mooted point upon
the redistricting of New Castle hundred
Levy Courtman Sutton of that hundred
stated his position on Friday as follows.
~ do not object to the proposed sub
division into four or any other number
of districts as the commissioners may
elect, for that is their right and duty
according to law. But what do say is
that they are not entitled to make such
changes as would interfere with the line
of division of the hundred as originally
laid down by the Legislature, separat.
ing it into two divisions. Upon this
dividing line any number of subdi-
visions are, as | deem it, legal
on either side of that line. This
would be legal. That main line of divi-
sion as established by law cannot be
upset by the commissioners. That is my
position. claim also that the commits.
sioners have no right to appoint in
spector3 for more districts than they
create. The hundred being already di-
vided into two districts, and now they
are making 1t four gives them lega
right to appoint but two inspectors fol
the two districts which they create"
ANOTHER QUESTION RAISED.
Another important question wal
raised Friday morning. In fact it wa'
raised Thursday, as to who is the right
full person TO administer the oath tC
vouchers for applicants to be placed OF
the assessment lists.
The chairman and Mr.. Jolls put tn,
question to Mr. Bradford, the court at
torney, yesterday. His reply, it is un
derstood, was:
}, 81 wouldn't raise the question unles
they 1.-THE Democrats) did"
WHAT THE LAW is.
The law upon the point is found il
Section 8, of the enactment "ln relation
70 the duties of assessors, &c"
Said oath or affirmation shall be mad
in open court before the clerk of the peac
who alone is authorized TO take an oath o
affirmation for that purpose, &c.
Clerk Biggs went out at noon to con
fer with Mr.. Lore upon the matter. TIL
latter's opinion was that Mr.. Bigg
alone could take the oath. The position
on the other hand of those who con
tended that Deputy Clerk Eliason coul,
administer the oath for Clerk Biggs wa
based on section 3, page 81, Laws o
Delaware.
Provided-that IL shall be lawful for
deputy OF any of the said officers to atten
for the performance of such services Us ar
strictly ministerial.
However, this law was enacted i
1852. The other law dates 1881, an
being also SO very much more emphatic
the Levy Court has followed the cours
indicated therein. All the name
vouched for on Friday when the oat
was administered by the deputy CLERK
will have to be resworn by Mr.. Biggs.
On the report of Messrs. Killgore an
yolls on the Christiana road commits
sioners' accounts from July, 1890, to Jul
1901, showing balance Of $S5.15, tn
court accepted and ordered the commit
Tee discharged.
At noon court adjourned to p. m.
The following names of citizens wer