Evening journal., 1893-01-03

several states, on the subject of marriage
and divorce the execution of wills and
deeds, notarial certificates, bills and
notes, and commercial laws generally, and
other subjects is of special Importance
toyou. since the commissioners appointed
under the statute of this state propose to
submit to you bill embodying the
recommendations of the conference of
boards of commissioners. | herewith
submit their report, together with the re-
ports of the conference of commissioners.
and commend them TO your thoughtful
consideration
Election Laws.
The enactment of new election laws
has been productive OF manifest advan-
tage. and the experience Of the last cleo
tion held under the registration law and
the Australian ballot system have given
almost unmixed satisfaction to law abid-
ing citizens The privacy Of the voter,
and his right to absolute secrecy, as to
his ballot has been greatly conserved by
the new law, which, however, may pos
sibly be improved by amendment, and |
trust that careful consideration will be
given by your honorable bodies to such
intelligent representations as may be
laid before you suggestive of increased
protection to the secrecy of voting for
it is obvious that the success Of bribery
and corruption and intimidation in in
terfering with the free and conscien-
tious exercise Of the right of suffrage are
all diminished by the sense Of absolute
secrecy being preserved in the act Of
voting.
Special COnstables.
The wanton and oppressive exercise of
the power of arrest and the holding to
excessive bail by the United States mar
shal, and the actual swearing in by him
of large number Of deputies, colored and
white. all selected from one political
party, and invested with extreme and
underlined powers of arrest, for the pur-
pose Of overawing and preventing the
peaceful exercise of the rights of fran
chise, rendered it prudent and necessary
for the governor, in the discharge of his
duty under the law, in accordance
with the act passed May 10, 1891, upon
the application of more than fifty citi-
zens residing in the city of Wilmington,
to appoint special constables to attend
the polls Of that city.
The elections so held were unaccom-
panied by disorder or violence, and 1t may
be confidently asserted, were as orderly
and peaceful as were ever known in that
city, no complaint having been filed by
any. officer, State or Federal, of any OBJ
struction or violence interfering with
the free right of lawful voters. The ap-
pointment Of large body Of special
constables, and at a serious expense "a
the county, was thus made necessary and
unavoidable, for the purpose of defend
ing and preserving the most sacred right
. I I,.ff hr1f fha axfnanRU IN rnnnf
which the act of the legislature referred
( to was passed to appoint special con
stables Hereunder, it is hoped and be
lieved will not again rise, and that the
amendment or repeal of the United
{ States statutes, under which such op-
pressive and partisan action became
possible, may warrant the repeal of the
state law, that was only intended as q
; remedy and defense of the citizens of the
commonwealth against the invasion OF
( their liberties.
County Government.
7 The growth of wealth and population
2 in the city of Wilmington and county of
{ New Castle, made it obviously necessary
that the machinery Of county govern
4 ment. which had heretofore sufiieed for
3 comparatively rural community, shoulC
I be reformed sufficiently to adapt itself L
I the newer and more complicated mOde
e of the transaction of the increased vol
I ume of public business The operation
b of the new laws, so far as they havl
< progressed, have been exceedingly salts
a factory, and it is believed will result il
e removal of all alleged abuses and
: reformation thoroughly consistent witt
r honesty and economy in the collection
{. of taxes and the general administration
h Of the affairs Of New Castle county. Tn
= collection Of taxes has been efficient.
S accomplished with economy in crafty
!, ing contrast with former years, and th
k checks, established by law, upon tn
g action of independent officials, mus
e necessarily tend to accuracy, honesty an
g economy in the transaction Of affairs
r. Military.
\ No state should be without a well
y regulated militia, and one upon which
!, can depend in any emergency requirin
: military interference. Under our systeI
" of revenue the taxes derived from on
railroads alone more than defray tli
i expenses of the state government, II
y cluding the judiciary. the executive, an
\. the legislative departments, which is a
? additional reason WHY the state shoul
be in a position TO suppress riots an
disorder, and thus protect our creates
source Of revenue. ! respectfully ca
3, your attention to the accompanying r
IL port Of the adjutant- general, and subm
be this matter to your candid and wise col
ct sideration. Unless laws are enact,
at and appropriations made that wi
st place the military department
er this state on such footing as will NAL
ed it effectual in case it should be require
of then I commend It's abolition altcgethe
or Quarantine.
'e- On October 9th, 1891. / had the hon
'ct TO receive a communication from Il
on Governor of the State of Pennsylvani
It's asking for the appointment by me
he three representatives of this State
tie confer with the Pennsylvania Sta
nj Quarantine Commission as to the sele
're ton of a site along the river or bay, I
the establishment of a quarantine st
la tion. Not having the authority to a
ch point such commissioners, but deemil
'ut it matter of much Importance to d
IN citizens of this State, owing to its g
ler graphical position, designated thr
sS- rat,raeerta ativp cffizens viz. ] ThOm