Middletown transcript., 1893-01-07
DELAWARE'S LEGISLATURE.

DELAWARE'S LEGISLATURE,
THE NEW HOUSE ORGANIZED
THIS WEEK.
Houston and whiteman the Speakers
Druggist John H. Layton, of sus-
sex, for Clerk of the House,
ana w. a. G. HardcastIe of
smyrna, Clerk of the
senate--The Govern
or's Message.
The meeting of the Legislature at
Dover this week was a truly eyentfui
one in the annals Of the Democratic
party In this State. The attendance on
organization night was larger than y
had been for years, and great interest
was manifested by the various candi-
dates aud their friends as to the out
come of the caucuses.
1t was evident from the start that
New Castle would have the Speakership
of the House, and Representative
Wbiteman was the choice. 1t was 70
be seen that the work of Willard Sauis
bury, Jr., was telling. and in the re-
suit his hand was apparent. The ca u
cuses made the states just as they had
been predicted, and they went through
without much trouble. senator Hous-
ton was chosen Speaker of the Senate,
W. "A. G. Hardcastle, of Smyrna, CLERK,
while Whiteman occupies the chair IN
the House, and John III. Layton OF Sus-
sex was made clerk.
Governor Reynolds presented MS
message to both branches of the Leg
islature on Tuesday. Tt is a very
lengthy article in which many subjects
OF interest are touched upon. Proml-
nent among them we lind the following
report OF the States finances:
1.-THE report of the State treasurer IS
herewith submitted, which exhibits in
detail the operations of his department.
The most important feat ure therein
Is the reduction of the debt of the
function & Breakwater Railroad to the
State from 10000 to $185,00O, and
The consequent reduction of our inter-
est-bea. ing debt of S215,00O. Each
reduction of our public debt results 10
a relief to the ax-payers, and the graf
flying condition is reported OF an ex-
cess Of State assets over all State liza
bilities of $347, ,O92, rs is shown by the
following statement:
ASSETS.
Investments, benefit Of General Funo.
l. 275 shares of Farmers Bank STOCK - - :,
% shares SO Of National Bank of Della
ware stock, at $3.50 per share io'ooV y
Mortgage on the junction u Break
water Railroad Company al ,.r 600 ~
Mortgage on the Breakwater
Fran kford Railroad Company at -. 80 !,
Motgage m @ on Troop B Armory at !. 80 !,
per cent "a. 4. .t.e. 80 :.
8 4s8, 100 q
Investments. benefit Of School Fund.
5000 shares Farmers Bank stocks 80 !,
at S36 per share ioo,OVV "
2439 shares Farmers Bank STOCK at o.o =,
al shares p National Bank OF Della
ware stock, $50 per share 2s,ooo "
1I4 shares National Bank smyrna 80 !
stock at $40 per share I.SoO "
rs ste.ee eeefss Il Ma Ss1o ner share 1882 q
one per rlssnt pena s.a'e Ds's l5s.75o q
one osng 9ono SusssA ooun's' :. !. 70 5000 Of
Total assets 81. .osl ,s4a O
LIABILITIES
s1z0 bonds. SI 900 each, issue of 1885
payable June lst. 1905 at per ~ ooo J,
80 bonds, 81 OO8 each issue Of 1887.
is5t pa5a9st stersst est - is'.' a5o,oOO o.
in 1881 payable July 1st 1906, ats !,
uor cent. interest 100, ,foO VI
Certificate eotindebtedness TO Della
terest M1es oo.iese' = : -. e $1,000 oC
rs bonds. LOCO each, issue Of 1891,
payable July lst, 1901, at per !,
cent. interest fo.uOV "
Total liabilities ..s 6si,75O 0.
Credit from general fund s. 4s7, 100 0l
credits from school fund :. 544, ,742 u
{
i9sni and sehooiaund sol N ' 81, OBJ, SAC Of
Total amount OF liabilities -. 6S4, $50 Ol
: Assets exceeds iiaD111ties ;. 5f7,t5z q
The Governor then touches upon the
question of constitutional amendments
and offers some good suggestions II
this line, and says:
.'The recommendation which | had
the honor to make in my last message,
that the required school books should
be supplied to the pupils free of cost,
having met t al of the Legis
lature, has been produciive of thu
most gratifying results. From thu
superintendents Of each of the coun
ties is learned that the attendance-o d
scholars, since the law went into opera
tion, shows marked increase, and al
the same time the school fund which
is derived chiefly from license fees, ha
increased In proportion with the ex.
penditure necessary to furnish schoo
books free-the dividend for 1890 be
!. ing $1O2, ,948. 65, and for 1892, after de
ducting the cost of text books, being
Sl21, ,0SO.94.
The cost of free school books for tht
year ending August, 1892, was:
In New Castle County. 1880. $6,349 81
In Kent County 6,37s 8
In Sussex County .. 1926 z
Being total forr the State OF .s22,925 i
AS this was the first year, the amount
Necessary to put the law into practica
operation was greatest, and it will b
diminished in future years, SO that ;
very small portion of this amount vii
be expended hereafter; but i. is be
lieved, in view of the beneficent opera
tion of the law and of the popular ben
efifs derived from this assistance to tn
poorer classes of our community, tina
eeery dollar so expended will ilreceive th
hearty approval of all good citizens.
Upon examination of the auditor
report it will be found that al the clos
of the school year in June. 1892, thi