Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1895-03-07
SOME LEGISLATIVE MATTERS.


SNuOpBt8 OF the htpoTl VI INV
State MISUNDERSTANDING for Heirs
sales by Executors and Administrators
special Correspondence OF Gazette and Journal
DevER, March 1.-The biennial report
of State Librarian Peter c. Griiwell was
submitted TO the Senate yesterday, and the
printing of 800 copies of 1t was ordered.
Following is synopsis;
During the two years ending December
3lst. 1884, the number Of books and PAM
phlets received was 1852, OF which 1857
were received through interstate and
Federal exchange, 1903 by donation and 81
by purchase.
desire to call attention to the lament
able condition Of the library and ask that
earnest consideration be given the subject
and that some remedy, ii possible be de-
vised. The library now contains about
$1,000 volumes, placed in space that
would be meagre for 5000. Thousands of
volumes, many of them very valuable,
are stored in such q manner rs to be
practically inaccessible. In addition to
this the library is very inconveniCnt for
those desiring TO study, or even read, any
of the books, there being no reading room
attached, and all business must be trans
acted i'll one room, which is office, reading
| room and reception room all in one. Be-
sides this the library has not been
catalogued since 1888 and while the plan
| then adopted was probably the best that
circumstances allowed, it is one which
| docs not admit of expansion and it Will be
necessary soon to rearrange and recata-
| lOgue the books or it will he impossible to
| lind anything when waited. This last Is
| practically the case nov and IL IS next to
| impossible for anyone but the librarian to
| find book
have done what could with the
| limited means at my mmand to Keep
things in order, but feel that ! am about
| at the end oil my resources, and believe
| that unless some measures are taken to
afford relief. before the expiration OF
another two years, the rooms Will be so
| uvcrcrOwdGd that many OF the books III
| the library will be practically useless.
Another matter should he considered IN
this connection, All the books in the
library are on open shelves, subject to
changes of temperature, coal gas strong
light, dust, &c. Coal gas and high tenn
perature are very destructive to bindings,
| especially the ordinary shcepskin of law
books, and fear that few more years
exposure on open shelves Will spoil the
bindings of nearly all the law books and
result IN a large bill for reminding.
The matter OF Il new library has been
urged Oh The General Assembly by all my
predecessors for the last 10 years and has
been recommended by all the Governors
d.
therefore, feel considerable hesitation in
regard to again urging the matter, but dc
earnestly request that YOU Will give the
matter your serious consideration, as |
believe true economy and the public inter-
estS demand immediate action.
PROVIDING FOR HEIRS.
Senator Records gave notice of an act t.
change the name of Robert J. Taylor tC
Robert J. Phillips and for other purposes
1t provides that he shall become the sol
and heir.nt-law of Joshua and Nancy Phil
lips of Dugsboro hundred, and specifics
further that should Joshua Phillips die in
testate leaving to survive him his presen
wife as a widow, aud without issue, th,
widow shall be entitled to the same shar,
of his estate rs she would have reCelVet
under the intGstate laws of the State haI
not Robert J. Phillips been adopted ant
that should Joshua Phillips die intestate
leaving TO survive him his son, John :
Phillips, by a former wife, John ). Phil
lips and Robert !, Phillips shall be enttlet
to the same share respectively of the estat
as children and heirs-at-lLw of Jushu
Phillips as brothers of the whole blUo
would severally take.
SALES BY EXECUTORS ANp ADMINISTRATORS
Representative Waller introduced a
act supplementary To section l OF chapte
~ Ut the Revised Statutes, relating to sale
, | OF real estate by executors ana admins
traitors to pay debts. II provides that upol
the return OF 4 sale If real estate by AN,
executor or administrator to pay the debt
! of the dccedent, pursuant to section 1 q
) chapter 30 OF the Revised Statutes, in case
1 in which the widow of the decedent is CT
titled to interest on Il share of the proceed
4 OF sale as an equivalent tor her dover, th
: purchaser upua his application to II,
/ orphans court, may, il the court aha