Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1897-02-18
Election OF County omcers.

ting as committee OF the whole, has
agreed upon provision of the new
Constitution for the election Of all
county officers by the people. At
present, only sheriffs, coronsrs, county
treasurers, comptroller and members
of the Levy Courts are 30 chosen, pro-
thonotaries, clerks OF the peace. regis
ters in chancery, registers Of wills and
recorders Of deeds being appointed by
the Governor.
While at first glance 1t would seem
proper TO elect all as we'll as one or
more of these officials, there are reasons
why the existing arrangement should
be preserved in the new Constitution.
The trainers of the present Consti-
tuition doubtless had good cause for
exempting these Offices from the
wrangle of popular election, and
there arc grounds equally good why the
exemption should be continued.
1t is fact that needs no comment,
that there are official positions under
our local government that should BIO
filed without resorting to the routine
Of nomination and canvass that in
evitably attend an election by popular
BALLOT. And the county offices now
subject TO appointment instead of
election are offices of this class. Surely
the places of clerks of the general aes-
sions and superior courts, which are
filled respectively by the clerk of the
peace and prothonotary, should not be
made subject to the barter and in
trigue of modern political manipu-
lation. Nothing would more com
pletely tend to weaken the public
estimation OF these officials, or impair
the public confidence in their official
integrity. And yet, the interests of the
people are moro materially involved IN
these two offices than in any others,
while very slightly behind in import
ance come the register in chancery,
the register of Wills and the recorder
Of deeds. A submission Of these offices
to public e!ection-which would mean
the party caucus and all its de-
teriorating influences would do
decidedly lessen tho probability Of
having them filled by men of the
character and ability demanded by the
important and responsible duties at.
rached to them. The effect Of tho party
caucus. in the great majority of in
stances, is TO lower, instead oil
elsyating, tho character Of candidates
for public office, and until some other
System of selecting candidates is ir
force, it will be well to continue the
Offices in question, which require mer
of more than ordinary capacity anC
character for faithful Performance,
Of their duties, under the protecting
supervision of executive appointment
1t is not in the slightest degree I'm
democratic TO make this contention
The people of Delaware have elected
Constitutional Convention, and deio
gated to the members thereof tn
power to make new Constitution
The members, therefore, are acting 70
the people, and whatever they may d
is virtually the act of tho people. i
is in effect the Same, therefore, whetho
they provide for tho election of thea
officers, or for the election OF Governu
clothed with power 10 appoint them
The question is one deserving til
serioua consideration OF the member
of the Constitutional Convention. "
shall have more to say upon the matte
hereafter, but for tho present will onl
make these few suggestions, in III
hope that they may induce thi
thoughtful consideration calculated
result in the best action.