Evening journal., 1895-04-26
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY
What the Law Makers Did in
Dover Yesterday
THE WORK OF HOUSE AND SENATE

Senator Pyls's Bill to Prevent Corrupt
Practices and Frauds al Elections
Passes the Senate to the Tune of 5
to 3, mr. AIrichs Voting with the
DsmoOrAts,-More About the Duke OF
York Deed and Other Papers.
staff Correspondence Evening Journal
DOVER. April 20 In the Senate yes
terdsy afternoon Speaker Records pre-.
sented the report Of Attorney General
John r Nicholson, who WAS instructed
to take sters to recover the Duke OF York
deed and other papers said to be In the
possession of ]. Henry Rogers, and
believed to belong to the State Of Della
ware. Mr.. Nicholson reviewed the action
Of the General Assembly. stated that he
had associated Edward Ridgely with him
and had taken the necessary legal steps
to recover the documents. 1t set forth
that Mr.. Rogers had filed In chancery an
answer in which he swore that he never
had the deed OF the muster rolls of
Delawsre's revolutionary soldiers, and
was willing that three responsible per-
sons examine his documentary posses,
sions. Ths chancellor suggested that
Chief Justice Lore, Judge Wales aud
Attorney General Nicholson be appointed
to make the examination. This sugges.
tion was seconded by Mr. Nicholson in
his report. The report was adopted and
Mr.. Fenimore offered 8 ieint resolution
appointing the three officials named and
Is WAS adopted without q dissenting
vote
1t is understood that what was adver-
tised AS the Duke of York deed is simply
lease between the Duke of York and
William Penn. The lease was drawn
three days before the deed was passed
1t was for 10. 900 years, but Penn's heirs
and assigns" were left out and the prop
erty would have reverted to the Duke Of
York after the death OF Penn.
More Talk About Surety.
The Ssnate Committee on Revised
Statutes gave another hearing yesterday
afternoon to the advocates and opponents
Of the House bill relative to surety for
executors, administrators, trustees and
guardians. Hugh G. Browne aud Victor
b Woolley discussed the merits Of the
measure, and John s. Rossell and Ohio
Nowland It's dement's William II.
Boyoe. Of Georgetown, came up to speak
against the bill but the other visitors
spoke at such length that the Sussex
man aould not get a word in edgewise
The committee is holding the bill up for
further advisement
Voted with the Democrats.
By vote Of TO Senator Pyle's bill
to prevent corrupt practices and fraud &C
elections passed the Senate yesterday
afternoon, Mr.. Alrichs Higgins Republi.
can, voting with the Democrats II was
rep )rted without recommendation By
Chairman Harrington. OF the COMMITTEES
on Elections, who stated that the
committeeman were divided on IL. As a
matter OF fact Mr.. Handy, Addieks
Republican, Was opposed to a favorable
report
1t took Reading Clerk Springer sever al
minutes to read IL.
Mr. Hanby-"I would like the gentle
man who has had charge of this bill to
/ tell us IL we have any cause for the
passage Of such bill in this state.
Mr.. Harrlngton-"I have nothing
particular to say on this bill We
thought 1t 8 right good bill. 1t is MIR
Pyle'a bill and | suppose he has some
thing to say about it +"
Mr. Pyls-'T have very little to say In
regard to tails measure. IL WAS introduced
on the first day Of January of this year.
There has been ample time for us to give
it ample consideration. This bill was
drawn by able men and We have looked
over 1t very carefully and believe that Ii
will meet the exigencies of the time.
think that anyone and everyone will
admit that It would be an assurance
most dear, that this bill will, If passed,
be the means Of restoring to this state
s0me kind of an honest election.
THE present condition has become .
shame and disgrace TO this state, not
only here but all over it. The way things
have been run in this state is 3 humilia
tlon and shame npon our good name
There Is no denying that fact. We
cannot hope for a good, clean administra-
tion of government under existing
conditions. | would 20 even further
than that bill goes. l would disfranchise
every man guilty of fraudulent practice
think that lie the only hope. would
disfranchise everv mothers son OF them
that is caught Senator Handy smiled.
The senator from the blue rocks thinks
this is fun; but that Is all right"
kr. Hanby-"You mean on one side.
Mr.. Pyls-"No; mean on all sides. ]
think that all are guilty to some extent.
This bill has been very carefully drawn.
The grounds cannot be disputed We
mean to submit this bill II 1t Is passed,
all right. II not, we will submit the
matter to the people for decision. Ii
you can see your way clear to vote for 1t
we shall be glad to have your vote
Mr.. Hanby-'I have read over a good
many bills in my time and have had
much experience in elections. think
from the general outlook, taking into
consideration what is passed and what
will be on the statute books IL this bill
passes, that We shall have to take In al
Of the twelvs-mils circle to put prison
on, for 1t will rsauire that large place tC
hold the prisoners. call your
attention to the second paragraph
OF section 20. IL is as follows
The expression political party shall be
construed to mean an orgAniza alton of one
hundred or more bona fds citizens anc
voters Of any county In the state, which
shall by means Of convention, primary
election, or otherwise, nominate candi.
dates for any Of the public Offices within
this section enumerated, flied by th'
people at any general or special slectioI
IL L II a. ~