Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1897-01-21

ber of visitors present, including
several ladies.
Mr.. johnson presented two petitions
requesting relief from the licensed
liquor traffic, which were referred to
the committee on the manufacture and
sale OF Intoxicating liquors. One was
from the Wilmington NJ. Il. Preachers
Association, and the other was from "a
churches and was signed by $50 men
and SSi women.
On motion of Mr.. Bradford, the con
vention resolved itself into committee
OF the whole for the consideration OF
the first report of the committee on
securing the purity of the ballot.
Chairman Bradford OF the committee
asked the unanimous consent Of the
members to make two Insertions, the
purpose of which was to extend the
penalty to bribery at nominating con-
ventions and elections. The consent
was given, and the insertions were
made, after which Mr. Bradford moved
1 the adoption of section of the report,
| which makes provision for Furnishing
bribery. incidentally. in discussing
the matter, Mr.. Bradford said there
was under consideration proposition
extending the elective franchise to
! WohGH. bht buCh po
made it would make no difference as
| far as the section was concerned.
Mr.. Cayender thought the penalty
should apply to the influencing Of
voters at the registration as we'll as at
the election.
Mr.. Spruance smoke in opposition to
the adoption Of the section under con
sideration. He said that vaet amounts
| ,,E, had 10 ~
recently for the direct purchase OF
votes, and that in some parts of the
State this evil was not recognized as an
immoral thing, condition which he
| deplored. At the last election, in order
to take stand against the evil, he.
with others, was willing to throw away
certain victory. He spoke' OF the i'll
effects of betting, but said he did not
think ii penal offense, and for that
reason would like to see the proposed
law somewhat modified in that respect.
| He advocated making the penalty fit
the crime. He contended that it was
proposed to incorporate in the organic
law matters which should he regulated
by the General Assembly, and was in
favor of instructing the General AS
sembly, to enforce the laws. lie thought
| that the Constitution should not con-
| tain a penal statute about anything;
also that he did not deem il penal
offenHe to pay mans registration fec,
provided the latter could not afford to
pay it himself and provided the money
should not be given with the under-
standing that the recipient should vote
a certain way.
Mr. Bradford did not agree with Mr..
| Spruance. He thought the matter
should not be left to the General
Assembly. He demonstrated how the
bribery laws could be violated under
the guise of betting.
Mr.. Cavender offered an amendment
intended to cover bribery at registra-
tion.
The discussion was in progress when
adjournment was made to 2. 80 O'Clock.
| AT the afternoon session the follow
ing resolution, offered by Mr.. johnson,
was referred to the committee on the
Governor and other executive officers
Resolved, That all public officials
and contractors for public work in this
State, whether under State, county or
municipal government, for the faithful
performance of whose duties and obliga-
tions, bond may be required, shall
\ give bond of indemnity from such
security company Of ample capital and
responsibility as shall be selected or ap-
proved by the party requiring the surety
or it's counsel. The expense incurred
in securing said bond shall be borne by
the branch of government requiring and
receiving such security"
Mr. Donahoe offered resolution
recommending that the committee on
the Governor and other executive
officers make provision that the judge
of the municipal court of Wilmington
he elected by the people OF New Castle
| county.
An amendment offered by Mr.. Gil
christ, to lay the resolution on the
table, WAS lost by a vote of 8 to $.
AT the suggestion Of several mem
bers, Mr.. Donahoe amended his resolu
tion so as 10 refer the matter to the
| judiciary committee, but by a further
amendment was offered by Mr.. Caven-
der, referring it to the committee on
the Governor and other executive
officers, with instructions to 80 amend
their second report as to include tho
municipal court Judge among the elec-
tive officers of New Castle county.
Mr.. Harman objected, on the ground
that the judiciary committee may de
eide to abolish the municipal court,
Mr.. Donahoe's motion was defeated.
The following resolution, offered by
Mr.. Carlisle, was referred to the COM
mittee on the Governor and other ex-
ecutive officers:
Resolved, That the superintendents
of free schools. Justices of the peace
and such other Offices as shall from
time to time be provided for, shall,
when not otherwise provided for, be
elected by the people,.
On motion OF Mr.. Bradford, the con-
vention resolved itself into committee
of the whole for consideration of the
report of the committee on securing the
purity Of the ballot Mr. Martin was
called TO the chair.
AT the solicitation of Mr.. Bradford,
Mr.. Cavender withdrew his amendment
offered in the morning, and Mr.. Brad
ford offered an amendment to the COM
mittee's report which was calculated to
cover all cases Of bribery at primary
elections and conventions, as we'll as at
general elections. The amendment was
unanimously adopted.
Mr.. Donahoe offered an amendment,
[ the object OF which was to cover the
cases of employers who endeayor to in
| tluence or intiinidate their employees.
Mr. Biggs said there was law in the
Revised Code covering such cases.
Mr. Ellegood favored the incorpora-
tion OF Mr.. Donahoe's s amendment into
1