Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1897-01-07


-han we Have More conptie-s
This is question 10 which serious
consideration is being given by the /
people aud press OF Delaware, now that
we have Constitutional Convention
with full power to bring 1t 10 deter
mination.
The question lie not new one. It
has been before the people for many
years, and during the legislative ses-
sion of 1875. prior TO the removal of
the county seat from New Castle to Will
mington. the question of dividing New
Castle county was made an exciting
issue. A bill for the division, which
erected the city of Wilmington into
separate county, was presented TO the
Legislature, and while il was earnestly
supported it alHo encountered bitter op-
position. Public meetings, for and
against the measure, we're held in Will
mington and elsewhere throughout the
county, but finally the opposition
triumphed and county division was
\ killed.
| Four counties, secured through
| division Of New Castle county, has
always embodied the popular idea, but
the Milford Herald goes further and
recommends the division of the State
into five counties. In support Of this
| proposition it advances the following
| reasons. M
First. We believe ii is the sense of
the people Of the State, generally, that
our present number of counties ia too
smail-so small in fact HIS to minimize
the dignity Of our State in the eyes of
our sister States and make its lilipu-
tian dimensions appear absolutely
ridiculous.
Second. Our judicial system is en-
tirely too cumbersome, incon1 enient,
and SO far as relates to the trial OF small
cases, too costly, AS at present made
up, it consists of Chancellor, Chief
n Justice and one Associate Judge for
each county. There can be- nothing
more absurd, surely than the spectacle
OF three judges and twelve jurors to
say nothing Of the officers. at cost
from SIS to 800 per diem, sitting in
solemn conclave to determine the guilt
or innocence of a culprit upon charge
OF the larceny of few sticks OF wood
J or bantam rooster, and yet there are
! whole days consumed in Just such
, cases. Moreover, the terms of court
as now held are entirely too few for the
speedy collection of debts as we'll as for
the economical and proper disposition
; of criminal cases, especially those
trifiing cases 10 which we have above
, alluded. Ii poor, half-starved negro
J should be accused OF making a raid
upon his neighbours hen roost after the
, grand jury has been discharged at the
close of term of court, he is first
, hauled before justice of the peace and
is then liable 10 lie 10 Jail six months
before he can be tried and punished,
I which, il he be found guilty after an
! expensive trial, would be really a cruel
! punishment, or if found innocent
| would be absolute injustice not only to
himself but to the community which ia
: taxed for his support in idleness, while
0 it may be needing his labor. IL, how
3 ever, We had five counties in the State
9 and judge appointed and to reside in
each county, whose duty it woulu be
! to try all cases OF Importance, with an
appellate court. composed of the other
: four judges, the business of each
y county could be much more satisfac.
y uisIdtCubl anu
Q would cost but little if any more than
IS one half the expense incident to ouI
J. present judicial system.
: Third. But. as we conceive, the
n stronger argument in favor of dividing
y the State into five counties is to be-
II found in the fact that with five coun
o ties and the necessary enlargement o.
i the number of counties is to be founC
" n the general belief that if we hat
y five or even four counties in the State
d it would in worry large measure d.
G away with that jealousy between tht
1t people of the upper and lower portions
10 of the State, not only in respect OF leg
W islation but between the members O
10 the same political party residing il
these respective portions
If Believing that the division of tn
- State into four counties would have
!. tendency TO abate this Jealousy in
rs large measure, the Herald is of th
ls opinion that five counties would ia
l. crease the measure of abatement, an
re mako political and partisan combina
10 tions vastly more difficult OF creation
at 1t is no less easy, it claims, to make
of fifth county of the lower part of Ken
le and the upper part of Sussex IAN
:, with very little eXpense) than to divid
~, New Castle into two counties by estab
a fishing tbs river Christana as the di
s. viding line between them
TO Against any proposition to increas
IN the number OF counties in this Stat
o. =, will be urged the sentimental oblectio
be Of interfering with our time honort.
cd autonomy Of the three lower countie
an on the Delaware. But mere sent
ss ment will not avail against any prac
10 y teal demands of tho present, and if
he should appear that county divisio
or will be benefit 10 tho State and th
IS people, then county division wi
surely come.
'r' One consideration with respect to
II radivision of the State into countit
Ie will be the expense involved. II woul
fts mean the erection of new court house
Oh the transcribing of all the records
a the existing counties applicable to ii
81. new counties created, and vario,
OF other expenditures which could hard
u be calculated until the work was und
no way.
ial II anything is done in the directic