Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1894-04-05

Levy Court was quite an interesting one
and brimful of incidents for those who
care in any way to watch the processes
by which the city of Wilmington has
since last election just about doubled its
franchise capacity. n
The names added during the after
noon We're;
First ward--Thomas Wilson, colored.
Seeond-Elija Townsend, colored.
Third-Clifford Mccannon, Charles
Hilyard, Robert Scheu.
Fourth--Joseph L. Montgomery.
Scventh-Milton Mendinhall, P. Syl-
vestcr Gorg, Bernard Gerstl.
Eighth-Wilmer Is. Hahn, David
Signer, colored, William Kay, Benja-
min II. Wiley, jeremiah It. Peters.
Nintl-Edwin NJ. Funk.
Eleyeuth-Charles L. Hathaway,
EDGAR A. Vangilder.
Christlana hundred Highlands ED
ward Berry.
South Brandywine-Harry r. Hayes
North New Castle-John johnson,
colored.
William Baldwin, q fine elderly man
of benign aspect, came into the court
room escorted by friend, He desired
to be placed on the Fourth ward list.
The records were searched and Mr..
Baldwin was informed that his name is
already there.
"Whyp' he exclaimed rather sharply,
81 got one of those letters telling me
was left off the assessment list" ..l ..-
Mr.. Baldwin and his escort left, the
Levy Court chamber apparently not in
very good humOr over having had to
waste time in solicitude over matter
for which there was no reason.
A young colored man was brought in
by A. b. Mcpherson johnson, eolored.
The voucher has known him since De.
cember, but did not know his age.
McPherson's vouching was not accepted,
as he possessed no exact knowledge Of
his ward.
Several sother applicants and their
vouchers were refused under similar
reasons.
The question arose in an informal
way whethera person not yet become
naturaized could hold receipt for
property tax And again suppcsing he
presented his property tax receipt, and
being foreigner could he vote on that
receipt? And on the other hand again
the question why should he be assessed
and taxed if the property tax receipt
does not allow him to vote?
Inc WHOle QuGSllOH was
sively answered several years ago by
Judge Wales when the matter was re.
ferred to him for decision. In effect
lie said an unnaturalized citizen cannot
vote here although he pays tax on his
property. The advantage person not
u citizen, but who owns property here,
gains by paying tax is that of police
protection in person and property and
all other advantages citizen has out
side of participation in the franchise.
Samuel II. Ridgway brought in a
colored man whom he offered to vouch
for.
Chairman Scott asked the colored ap.
picnnt for assessment what the name
of the gentleman is who stood behind
him and was waiting to be his voucher.
"'Deed, boss, this is the first time
ever cav him, outside the door just
now" t4
"Whyl how is that Mr.. Ridgway ?"
the chairman asked, addressing the
voucher.
sWellp Mr.. Ridgway answered,
"that may be first time he saw me, but
have known him for two years."
Mr.. Scott-"But he tells me that this
is the first moment he ever set eyes on
you'll Oh, mono. We can't accept
such vouching as that !!
As the applicant and his voucher left
Chairman Scott looked up and gazing
around at his fellow commissioners
shook his head excaiming, "this is
awful ~
whats that what's thatp' exclaimed
Commissioner Armstrong, who evil
IDENTIFY had been engaged at the outside
hundred books at the moment of the
L.. ali tl,,t yii
Chairman Scott-"Why, asked the
colorcd man how long he had known
y Mr. Ridgway, and he said just now is
the first time he ever saw him."
Commissioner Armstrong made nc
further inquiry.
The next visitor was colored man
also. Chairman Scott asked him the
name of the gentleman who stood by
offering to vouch for HIM.
81 kent say dat zactly; / don't know
his name," was the Negroes ingcnuon:
reply. The voucher. was Horace q
Rettew. The colored applicant was re-
fused in his desire to be added to the lis
and went away to look for man he
knew and who knew him.
The first of the two colored applicants
returned in a short time. The new
voucher was not legally qualified one
and was therefore also let go.
"He ought to be better posted" re
marked a commissioner.
A case arose of young man TO
whom James Kitchens offered to vouch
The applicant is just of age but Til,
voucher did not feel able to swear TO
positive knowledge of him, such as TIL
oath requires. Nf -
Mr.. Kitchens suggested that the youni
mans father come in and vouch Blu
it turned cut that the father is not
freebooter. --l
Chairman Scott expressed his regret
at having to refuse hut the law he'll
him close up to certain requirements
He knew the father of the young MAJ
TO be an honest upright citizen an
would personally take his word or oat
on anything. But the freebooter claus
is a bar to acceptance by the Levy Cour
incidentally Chairman Scott expresse
himself in favor of the excelsior of tn
clause from the oath,
On Thursday the Levy Court con
missioners accepted the bonds of cor
stables Thomas Reardon and WilliaI
p. Windish of. this city, George NJ. Al
corn of Mill Creek, w. Il. Du Hadwa
of Appoquinimink and James II. Porte
and Paul ]. Began of Christiana.
A communication was received froi
William S. llilles, attorney for III
Adair minors, of whom ex-Tax Co
lector John j, Dougherty was guardian
asking the court to relieve the propert