Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1897-10-28

WiLMISGTOR. rHURSD4I, Der. IS.
management of County Finances.
1t is clearly eyident that greatly
needed reform in Delaware ia one that
will place the financial affairs of each
OF the three counties upon cash basis
and keep them there. The city of Viii.
mington felt the need of this reform
years ago, and it was secured by Htrin
gent Legislative enactment. 1t required
temporary loan TO bridge the gap be-
tween an annual deficit and balance
on the right side of tine ledger at the
end OF the fiscal year, but the breach
was closed. and since then the city
affairs have boon conducted strictly
upon cash basis, and floating debts
have become affairs of the past There
ia no reason why tho fiscal affairs OF
each of the three counties should NOT
be brought down to like basis, and
the field is ripe for reform.
The condition OF New CustIe county's
finances is well known, Only recently
q bonded debt was authorized for the
purpose of funding floating debt, but
no assurances were provided TO guard
against another floating debt in the near
future. In Kent county, the condition
of a floating debt at the close of each
fiscal year has long prevailed. Aud in
Sussex county the Encouragement has
been so bad that large sum of money
collected from the colorod school tax
levy has been illegally diverted from ita
purposes and swallowed by the current
expense demands.
This illegal appropriation of colored
school taxes has raised commotion in
Sussex county, and made the manage.
ment of the county's financial affairs u
fruitful subject of public comment.
We are told by the Lewes Pilot that
ian inquiry among those who are best
able to judge of the status OF the county
as to it's receipts and expenditures
would result in the answer that the
monetary condition ia amentabIe. 1t
ia safe to say the county treasurer is
unable tn meet the obligations that are
daily pressing upon him. Claims which
have prior rights and which should be
met without delay are in the hands Vi
our citizens. Orders are floating about
not redeemable because of lack of funds.
Evidently there is something wrong in
some quarter. We are not charging one
party more than the other for this con
ditiun. There is a leakage, msman.
agement, a want oil business policy
somewhere. Is vt in our system of col
lecting and disbursing tho funds? The
present system has been in vogue for
years and with increasing years lacks
vitality. 1t may be that the five com
missioner system would he better in
that new blood would be infused in
official veinp. The measure could &c
into effect at the election of 1898.
There must be some change for the rep.
utation of the county is at stake
And in another editorial paragraph
referring to the oounty's financial con
Gition, the Pilot says:
There will not oe any new jails or rs.
moheled courthouse 10 Sussex az long
as the present system uf expenditure oil
the funds on the roadways of the county
continues. OF the s55i 900 gross assess
ment levied for expenses nearly $50, COZ
is expended in county orders. Deduct
ing the errors, delinquenta and com.
missions and the county treasury il
dry. There ought to be a remedy
found for this yearly waste of money
on the roads, If in no other quarter
Cannot some one suggest System b,
which the funds appropriated for road
work can be made TO bring some show
ing for the expenditure?
This is the situation, but what of thu
remedy? The substitution of five com
missioners for each OF the cumbersome
Levy Courts of Kent and Sussex coun
ties would bring about an improvement
in the way of a more effective and los
expensive systom of government, but /
would not 60 to the rout OF the trouble
Nothing will do this but an entir,
change in the fiscal system--a chang
by which each county will collect IT
full tax levy each fiscal year, and expent
that levy and not dollar more, durin,
the yeai. By this means the countie
will derive the full benefit OF eacl
years tax levy and avoid floating debts
1t is tho floating debts that cause th
great trouble, and legislation that will
make them impossible will bring abou
the desired reform.