Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1895-03-07
star Correspondence Of Gazette and journal.

tslative Notes.
STAFF Correspondence of Gazette and journal
DOVER, Feb. 27.-Thc editorials entitled
"The Delaware Senatorship," published
to-day by the Press and the Inquirer of
Philadelphia did not disComfit the wrang-
ling Republican legislators particle. The
publications did not produce any more
effect than pouring water on ducks back
would have produced.
The failure to elect a Senator seems to
greatly aniuse Governor Marvil. Every
day, during recess, he makes to the news.
paper correspondents jocular remarks
about the "hitch," rs Senator Higgins
mildly puts IL, in the Senatorial contest.
1t is rumored that the supporters Of SEN
ator Higgins are uneasy. The reappear-
ance of George II. Hollis and II. II. Bill
lany OH the scene of conflict gives coloring
TO the rumor.
A telegram received this morning by a
Democratic member of the Senate stated
that the Massey vote will be transferred
to the Higgins column.
Republican politician expresses the
opinion that the deadlock will be broken
soon, probably next week, and says he
sees indications Of Il break but he declines
to bring the alleged indications TO the pub
lie gaze. He says the people are camoring
for the election of Senator and the
Will DG lltcutls view NiStlt
Sussex counties are fighting each other,
he adds and he believes that Kent county
will be honored by the bestowal of the
benatOrship upon one of its citizens. If
there are any indications of aspeedy settle
.nent of the contention few can see them.
The fact that the Massey supporters and
Representative Morgan a supporter of Mr..
Addicks. have visited the office of James
Pennewill several times this week has re-
vived the rumor that Mr.. Penuewill will
be put forward as acompromise candidate.
Every movement of the Republican fac.
tions is closely watched
STATE AUDITORS REPoRr
Each member of the General Assembly
has received a copy of the report of John
i. Dulaney late State auditor. lie says
TO thc General Assembly: In obedience to the
Law have the honor IL submit herewith the
annual report Of thi department for the fiscal
year ending December 3tst 1894
The settlements with tho several depart
Inents can be found in their proper places.
STATE TREASURY
The report Of the Treasury Department for
the fiscal year ending December 3lst, 1891
herewith submitted, Is very ull and complete,
but, for the purpose OF obtaining ncOmprehen-
sive iaea of the financial affairs OF the state
since the last meeting OF tho General Assem-
bly,, the biennial report of the State lrsasurei
affords greater facilities, and cannot fail &c
give whatever facts may he desired, other NJ
a basis for Legislation or for general iuforma
tion.
DISTRIBUTION or THE SCHOOL FUND.
Owing to the greatly Increased school fund
several districts, especially in tho rural sec
tions, are unable to eApend their receipts, n
required by law, for tho simple purpose OF
maintaining tho school. Although there was d
general reapportiOnment Of the funds remain
ing IN the hands of tho school officials in lSl3
nevertheless, at the last settlement in Ju'y
and August there remained balance o
slT.O5a 81 in the hands OF the clerks, divided a.
follows: New Castle county, S,Oi0.7i (onlS
$a11S0 of this sum belonged to tho city of WI
mingtonl: Kent county, Si,Sid.5i; SUSSEX
county, s5,i65.3a. This accumulation Of money
in tho hands Of the clerks is an evil which
should be reinedied. Tho payment To II dts
trict OF more money than Is necessary for tho
maintenance Of the school Is temptation Il
extravaganza, and will surely lead 10 waste
OF the State funds. more equaDle distrlbu'
tlon upon tine bass of the needs of tho schooii
can aud should bn mad | would recommend
that the law in reference To the distribution o
the school fund now in force In New Castle
county be made applicable to Kent and Su-so'
cOuntes am Of the opinion that this IL mucl
the better system and peliove gives NOR,
general satisfaction. ono change however
should he made. he amount iO be apIur
toned 10 each district should be somewhat 10
duced. as the present apportiunmcnt gives Z
tho smaller districts more money than tho
need. / would suggest thht The amount TO b
paid to each district Da ono hundred dOllUis
instead of one hundred ana nlty, ns atpresent
tho balance being then distributed nScordihl
to the number of scholars would proiuca YER,
nearly the sum needed In most Ol the districts
C0LpRED SCHOOL APPROPRIATION.
The General Assembly Of 1891 Increased thi
appropriation from $4,000 TO iD,GOO but IN til
dis,ributlo ot this sum, by an oversight II
drafting the bill, the c1lOred schools in the cit
of Wilmington have been exclGdcd from an
benefit Of this appropriation iOr thO past lou
years | would recommend that such legiSla
lion be enacted as would allow tho city oil Wi
mIngtOn TO receive proper share Ot the az
preparation Tor the support Ot ths coore
schools. / would respectfully recommend t
fba att nf ttAueful Assembly
statistics in rotation to colored schools con
tanned in this report
COLoRED SCHOOL TAX.
II is necessary that some action should b
taken in regard to the assessment and cOllet
tion Of the colored school taxes. The presol
system is very imperfect and unsatisfactory,
SCHOOL LAW.
digest OF the school laws was issued undC
the direction OF the secretary of State in lSS
and WAS OF great assistance and value TO th
school officials of the state. During the pn'
II years there have been many changes in I'll
school laws and 1t Is very diIli:ult ana require
much time TO ascertain the law in many case
Furthermore, there are few, II any, OF III
school boards or clerks that have the use
the volumes OF laws ana the several cOdt
that are necessary in asrertainins the law q
any point. Therefore. would recommen
that Il digest Of all the school laws shoulu =
issued, in pamphlet form, for distribution
the school officers, the book TO be tho properi
OF the district.
TnE PROCEEDINGS or THE STATED MEETINGS.
The necessity no longer exists for the scho
officials to file the proceedings OF lhe athlo
meetiucs witt! tho several clerks OF the neac
The school fund was formerly drawn from U
Farmers Bank upon The tuith OF these returl
which established the fact that the LAW NJ
heen complied with. TnO fund is now dl
tl1buted upon tho report OF proper settlemel
mdde with the stare Auiitnr. These paper
however, would be OF great value TO the Ifea
ury Department, especially the Auultof;
making the Lnnual settlement WIN tne stho
ofIicials | would therefore recommend tn
the law be So amended as to require tne
uApers to be torwDrded ID the state Andlt
within i've days after me stateu moetihs
held.
COUNTY sUrERlNTENDENTs.
The lew creating the ONCE of county supe
intendent of free schools fixed the salary
one thousand dollars per anhutn ana iuttn
proyides that. "in order TO secure ms cilt
lime, he shall not engage " any oLher Du'
NESS OF pursue any other calling Ihe tic
orally Assembly of 1891 transierreu the cohtf
and munagement of the nolOfeu schools lro
the acturry oil the colored school, 70 tho 90 ~
suuerintendents, thereby greatly increasll
their duties and responsibilities, besides I
ouiring them TO give bond, and yet nade
provision for additional compensation. / Wou
recommend n fixed salary be paid 10 tno coun
Suneriutendents for the services rendered
thenl as superintendents OF 60 ored schools
TRANSFER Of REAL E TATE
In my report Of 1899 took occasion to g
ne attention of the General Assembly to
too frequent and uliust transfer OF real a., es'a y
hseu dome without any Just excuse, and grea
10 tine injury OF some districts, which nave be
"A reduced in territory, anu thereby making !
srnuol INK TO lie pad by Il lew people. oft
thia lepislaliOu has been enecteu without u
IA t,arent opposition simply because ol wa
IA al funds TO defray the expense OF me sen,
officials while making such opp9slti,otn' 10y.
State Board oi Elucallon bnoui" w ioi1 wv
M eide all such cases.
rg. ACT rs RELArioN To PUBLIC SCHOOLS.