Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1894-03-08
POWELL COMPLIED WITH THE LAW

A True Statement of tho Case Out of
which the Republicans Are Now En-
deavoring to Make a Great Amount of
Political Capital.
Philadelphia Record, March 7tb.
COL .. L, Cooper, Judge Advocate
General Of the State of Delaware, and
register of Wills for Kent county, was
in the city yesterday, and in speaking
of the attempts OF certain Delaware
Republicans To force Collector r. G.
Powell of Dover, TO accept taxes at tho
Windsor Hotel, in Philadelphia, said:
"Mr. Powell did not come To Phila-
delphia to evade receiving taxes. He
is to-day and has for long time been q
very sick man. He had an operation
performed last summer, but has gradu-
ally grown worse, until another and
more serious operation has become
necessary. He came to this city on
Monday of last week at the urgent
request of DR.. Clements, his family
physician at Dover. He did not go to
an obscure boarding house or hotel, as
has been stated, nor did he attempt to
pass of under an assumed name. He
and his wife went TO the Windsor, q
hotel largely patronized by Delaware
people, registered as r. G. Powell and
wife, and were assigned to room 1873.
Since then he has been under medical
treatment, and expects to have an
operation performed tomorrow at O
hospital TO which he was removed to-day.
II knew on Thursday that contin-
gent Of colored voters were to be
brought to this city on Saturday fol-
lowing, but no effort was made TO pre-
vent them seeing Mr.. Powell. About
O'Clock on the day named, about IL of
them, headed by j. L. Bonsall and one
or two other white men, succeeded,
through the assistance of chamber
maid, in getting into the sick room of
the collector. Mr.. Poweli's wife was
rudely pushed aside and insulted by
Bousall and one Marvel, who lives In
Philadelphia. Mr.. Powell did not know
the mob there assembled, outside of its
leader, and refused to accept the money
of the negroes which was rendered.
~ was not In the city upon the occa-
sion, although 1t is asserted by the Re-
publicans that | was. Some one did,
however, send up card with my name
on it, but the Powells knew that it was
not my handwriting. | usually come to
this city on busint IS on Saturdays That
morning got a telegram before s o'clock,
sign d by X. q. Lelar, client OF mine,
asking me to be at my office in Dover IN
| the arrival of the noon train of that day.
l did not expect to come to the city that
day, but did expect TO see Mr.. Lelar.
| He did not arrive, and he now tells me
that he did not send the telegram, knows
nothing of it, and had no idea of going
to Dover.
~ am on Mr.. Powell's bond and that,
together with the fact that for many
years we have been political and per-
sonal friends, caused me 10 come here
yesterday 10 satisfy my mind as to his
actual physical condition. | would NOT
be in his condition for the whole Of
Philadelphia, although the Republicans
try to make it appear that he is feign-
ing illness, Besides being very Ill man
and here by the order of his physicians,
Mr.. Powell has complied with the law.
Now what are the facts in the case?
"The law compels him within 30 days
after receiving his duplicate list to give
public notice by advertisement posted
in ten Of the most public places of the
hundred aud collecting district, stating
therein his place of residence and his
readiness to receive taxes; that in the
month of January in accordance with
the law in that behalf, he again gave
public notice Of 10 days stating that HI
would attend at place and time to bt
designated for five hours per day fol
three days for the purpose Of receiving
taxes then due and unpaid. All of thi
he did. In fact he attended at the otfic,
Of ]. r. McGonigal for four days anc
was there five hours each Of those fou
days. Hence, it is the fault of the Re
publicans that some 1870 of their humble
have not paid their taxes.
"By the advice OF his medical attend
ant and of his wife and friends Mr.
Powell is here. He had compli d will
ali Of the requirements of the law, ant
in his critical condition he did not pro
pose to stay home aud probably die u
accommodate negligent Republicans
and he did not leave home until after
month from the time he set to receiy
taxes at McGonigal's Office"