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

he Protrscted.
specialCorresponuenceo Gazette ana Journal
Dover, Jan. 25. The mandamus pro-
ceedings which will begin on Thursday
promise to be protracted, as the at
torneys for Thomas II. Baxter intend
to fight every inch OF ground. The
order OF the court directs the election
officers Of West Dover hundred to as
semble in tho Kent county Court House
on Wednesday, at noon, for the pur-
pose OF counting and tabulating the
vote and preparing and signing the
certificates Of election. This line Of
action was suggested in the opinion
written by Judge Grubb, sitting as a
member OF the court of errors and ap-
peals in the last proceedings, and for
this reason the Republicans claim
that there is good prospect that a
peremptory writ will Issue. OF course
it ia not expected that the Democratic
members will put in an appearance on
Wednesday, but the Republicans will,
and on Thursday Baxter and the Others
will be in court through counsel, pre-
pared to show cause, whom the answer
will be filed and argument begun. Elk,
Gov. Watson. in view Of the knowledge
that these proceedings we're to be in
stituted, refused to commission a
county, and Gov. Tunnel will doubt.
less be guided by the decision OF the
court entirely. Again, the composition
of the Levy Court rests upon the pend
ing proceedings, and ii is necessary that
decision should be reached before
Tuesday, February 9th, the date upon
which that body meets for organiza-
tion. II the decision is in favor of the
Republicans the Levy Court, which iG
now unanimously Democratic. will
stand: Republicans, o: Democrats, A..
The control OF this branch OF the
county government means considerable,
especially under the extraordinary
powers which it now has, and il the
| Republicans should succeed in or
ganizing the court bill will probably
be introduced in the Legislature al
once stripping the court of it's powers.
Such action would probably lead tc
further litigation. as tile Republicans
| claim they are not bo,fnd to recognize
the present Legislature at NIL. and thai
any laws il might pass would be in
lucrative, because of its alleged illega
organization. Alice, they say, should
be Senator and with that body 10 con
troll of the Republicans. it would b'
impossible to pass any partisan bills.
On the other hand tho Republicans
have always condemned the methods
pursued by the Levy Court. and bavt
time ana again demanded that thu
Legislature should take some acton
looking to the repeal Of the law which
enabled the Democracy TO virtual.
dictate and control the county affairs
If they are sincere in this they coult
not with any grace, refuse to abide b.
the mandate of the Legislature in tn
event of such measure becoming
law.
1t is intimated that possibly, durinI
the coming week, bill regulating th
authority conferred on the Levy Cour
may be presented in the House, 50 a
not to have it appear that it is a part
measure intended to deprive the Re
publicans of the power heretofore en-
joyed by the Democrats. This 10 i
anticipation OF the Republicans con
trolling the organization. The leader
of the Democracy Of the county say
however, that the same sentimen
which governed the seating OF th
Kent county members of the Legisla
ture will govern the organization nf th
Levy Court, and that the four holduve
members. all of whom are Democrats
will elect who shall he their colleagues
which means that the Republicans wi
no be seated.