Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1897-01-28

diseases that have affected the fruit
trees aud by this means the fruit
growers were enabled to guard against
purchasing from nurserymen in the
affected localities.
DIR. Sharp of Milford also spoke on
the subject of railroads. He said be
was familiar with the situation in
Iowa, where, while the prices of crops
are low-corn cents and hogs 21a
cents-they are prosperous through the
operations OF a maximum rate freight
bill and five parallel roads bidding in
competition for the business OF the
farmers. Here you can produce much
greater variety, but you have no means
of getting your products to market.
Chairman Horsey called upon Presi-
dent Biggs, who said he was very much
interested Ia the discussion respecting
the diseases which affect fruits and
vegetables, and that something should
be done as soon as possible to eradicate
them. He said the "yellows" had
affected his orchards, but that the
"San Jose scale' had not as yet made
its appearance. Raising grain, he said,
had not been profitable and the only
| thing the farmer can do is to turn his
attention to small fruits. Peaches are
uncertain and cannot be depended upon
now as a source of profit, which was
| the case few years ago.
Mr.. Rosa. on behalf OF the visitors,
| thanked the convention and the agri-
| culture committee for the courtesy ex-
| tended.
A number of letters of regret were
read from prominent farmers through
out the State.
| At the conclusion of the above re.
marks the convention again resumed
the regular order of business.
| On motion of Mr.. Hearne, the con-
vention then went into committee OF
| the whole on the Governor and other
elective officers, Mr.. Gilchrist in the
| chair.
| The main discussion was over the
| compensation to be paid the members
| of the Board of Pardons. Mr.. Spru-
ance stated that the Secretary of State
was salaried official, the registers
would probably be made salaried
officials. and the only question to deal
with was the salary to be paid the
Lieutenant. Governor when acting in
the capacity of member of the Board
OF Pardons, which would be met in
the second report of the committee.
The first report of the committee as
amended was then adopted by the COM
mittee.
The second report Of the committee
was then taken up for discussion.
Mr.. Spruance offered a substitute
relating to the compensation of the
Lieutenant Governor, as follows:
1.-THE Lieutenant Governor shall,
while acting as president of the Senate.
or as a member OF the Board of Par
dons or as Governor during a tenn
porary disability OF the Governor, re-
ceive for his services the same COM
pensation as the Speaker of the House
Of Representatives..
The substitute was adopted.
Section 4, as proposed. was then sub
mitted by Mr.. Spruance as followsi
"All sheriffs and other county officers
shall receive for their services such
may provide, and they shall by law be
required to collect all fees promptly and
pay the same 20 the county treasurer
for the use Of the county"
Mr.. Biggs favored requiring the
sheriffs and other county officers to ac-
quire their salaries from the fees col
lected, allsin EXCESS of the salary to be
turned over to tho county treasurer.
DIR. Cooper then offered a substitute
which was accepted by MIR. Spruance.
as follows:
"a Il fees received by the sherilfs and
other county officers shall be paid to
the county treasurer for the use OF the
county. Suitable salaries for such
officers shall be fixed by law, and the
General Assembly shall make provision
for the full and proper collection of all
legal fees. ="
Mr.. Salisbury opposed the clause
providing a salary instead OF fees, as it
would add greatly to the expense in
the two lower counties. The gentle
men from New Castle should apply to
the General Assembly for remedy, as
believe that all questions oftecting
the compensation of county officials
should be fixed by Law, am opposed
to loading down our Constitution with
this question of salaries.
Mr.. Lavender said that the fee list
should be uniform throughout the
State.
Mr.. Bradford agreed with Mr.. Caven.
der, and said that under the law the
fees were uniform. Ii the sheriff Is
fees in New Castle are exorbitant. that
sheriff. An officer knowingly and will
|, | iuilJ hu cAConbiNo ue
proves himself dishonest official and
should forfeit his Office.
Mr.. Spruance opposed the fixing OF
salaries, saying that was matter
wholly for the General Assembly to
consider. He said that in Kent and
Sussex one man could perform the
duties of county Office as usual
. thing, while in similar offices in New
Castle county several employees were
necessary. In New Castle county the
fees OF the office of the clerk of the
orphans court and register In chancery
the fees are totally inadequate. In
other Offices the receipts are enormous.
The recorder may get from So, 600 ia
81, 600 ear, and the sheriff, am told,
realizes sometimes $500 a year,
which is out of all proportion.
Mr.. Biggs then offered a motion to
insert after the word land" and before
the word "pay" in Mr.. Spruance &
proposition as printed above, the fol-
lowing words: "After deducting from
the fees collected by them their COM
pensstion as provided by law
Mr.. Biggs said he merely desired ia
provide against lack of interest in
officials. The compensation of the
sheriff of New Castle county is away
beyond what it should be- and this is
the source of at least one-half of the
political troubles We have in our
county.
The discussion was brought to a
close at 81 on motion that the com