Middletown transcript., 1896-01-25

erroneous impression which
obtains in certain quarters.
STATE IMPROVEMENTS.
The TRANSCRIPT has taken occasion
several times to refer to the fact that
with over thirty years almost uninter-
rupted rrle the Democratic Party has
given the State no permanent improve
ments. It has defeated constitutional
convention before the people and in the
General Assembly. It has taxed the
people for the benefit Of the office hol-
ders, usually few families and they
have reaped a rich harvest, and the
general good has suffered. Our courts
are cumbersome and expensive, but
they have been maintained because of
the nice berths for the political favor
ties. We believe we are correct in
saying that not dollar Of the State
debt has been paid, and the major part
of the school fund is grant from the
National Government. 1t gives us no
pleasure to write of these matters but
they are facts, and the public should
bear them in mind.
Twice has the executive department t
Of the State been in the control of the
Republicans, but in both instances
only for short time and the Demo-
Gratis had legislative power at both of
those periods, or at least the power to
check all legislation by having control
of one branch,of the General Assembly.
But the spirit Of progress that dwells
within the Republican Party has shown
itself whenever it had any representa-
tioh in the halls Of legislation. In 1889
the Republican House gave Farm
hurst to the State and increased the
school funds, making free text books
possible. 1t defeated bill to build
new State House at a cost of $3.50, 900
to $500, 900, and there the improve
ments stopped until the last Republi-
can Legislature appropriated $4,000
for the erection of a new Library Build
ing. So well has that work been done,
the building being adjacent to the
State House, that with less than SIS, 900
the front part of the old building, the
Senate Chamber and the Hall of the
House Of Representatives, can be
thrown together for new and enlarged
room for the Representatives Hall and
a large and comfortable Senate Cham
ber can be provided in the second story
of the Library annex. Such an ar
rangement will be sufficient for all as
sembly purposes for the next half GEN.
tury, the result of Republican repre-
sentation in the General Assembly and
at the cost of S15, 900, instead of $3.50,
600. No Legislature composed Of
Democrats alone can show record for
permanent and economical improve
ments as can the ilI-abused Republican
Assemblies of 1889 and 1895. No Dem
ocratic paper will attempt it but all
the Democratic papers will continue to
misrepresent and abuse the RepubIi-
cans who have done something. They
did not do what they would, what they
desired, because the Democratic SEN
ate acted as a hinderance. II defeated
the Work House bill merely because
its members are, in, polite language,
conservative, or in other words their
policy is to do nothing and 20 grumble
at the party that insists OIL doing some
thing. Thisis true Nationally as we'll
as in State affairs.
In 1898 thee ,ombly author
ized the State Treasurer by joint res
olution to make much needed improve
ments in the offices on the first floor of
the State House. At the present the
rooms of the State Treasurer and the
State Auditor are 10 by IA feet, about
space for desk and two men. Three
years have passed and the work has
not been done, the Democratic pro-
gram of how-not-to-do it being carried
out. But it remains for Republican
to act. State Treasurer Atkins will
have the work done. He expects to do
aw ~ with the recess entrances into
the rooms of the Governor and the Sec
retary of State, waste of space as
they now are, and TO make two large
and comfortable rooms on the north
side by taking in the janitor's lumber
room at the foot Of the stair way. The
State Treasurer and State Auditor will
be located in these rooms. By taking a
part of the old Library room two large
and comfortable rooms will be made
on the south side Of the corridor, these
to be occupied by the Governor and
the Secretary of State, and to be ad-
Joining as they should be. These are |
and they are the result
of Republican success at the polls. n
takes Republicans to act. Give the
the control Of Delaware
and in ten years they will reduce the
taxes one half, and in less than twenty.
wears they will pay the whole State |
debt.
THE Delawa re Senatorship was be-