Evening journal., 1898-01-11
NO CAUCUS LAST NIGHT.
Icontinued From First Pagel

IConunued From First Page.
etc 1t need not enter into the reasons
which led to the enactment Of such
law. It's object being the distribution
Of the burdens of taxation among the
owners of all property must meet with [
the approval of fair minded citizens. |
1t is claimed, however, that defects in
the provisions of the law threaten to /
defeat the assessment and collection OF |
the tax contemplated. If in your judg- |
ment such defects exist it is to be hoped |
that the law will be so amended by you |
as TO relieve it Of any Objectionable |
features and insure its enforcement and |
operation.
BRIBERY AT ELECTIONS.
The Constitutional Convention, rec
ognizing the far-reaching effect of this
alarming evil, has provided against 1t
in very sweeping and stringent terms.
But, while these provisions are most
comprehensive and complete in those
cases which they cover, they fall short
in one very important instance. The
provisions cover primary elections,
conventions or meetings held for the
purpose of nominating any candidate
or candidates to be voted for" but do
not provide against bribery at primary
elections held for the purpose of select
ing delegates to conventions for the Sc
lection of candidates This is most inn
portant, for purity of elections can only
be attained by cleansing the stream at
its source. If party primaries are to be
the occasion of bribery and corruption,
engaged in by men desiring to substl-
tute their money for the choice Of their
&C
candidates who shall be their GREAT
ures, then what more can we expect
than that these same men in the heat
and bitterness of political strife will
continue their bribery to insure the
success of their candidates. This de-
feet in the Constitution applies moro
particularly to Kent and Sussex cOun-
ties, where candidates have always
been selected by delegates in cOnven-
tion. 1t is your duty to remedy this de-
feet ait once by such enactments as will
prevent bribery and corruption ait pri-
maries and secure the people in their
choice of party candidates.
SALARIES.
1t will be your duty to fix the salaries
Of the Judiciary and other state Off
GERS. In doing SO 1 would impress upon
you the wisdom of providing adequate
and remunerative salaries, for If we
would have competent and able Off
! cials we must offer them the induce
. ment Of a proper and adequate COM
> ! pensation for their services. In doing
so, however, you must net lose sight OF
I | our limited sources of income and the
, condition of our finances which it is
o your duty to husband and preserve as
| has been done in the Dast
. OTHER LEGISLATION.
v The Constitution also makes it your
q duty to provide for uniform biennial
Q registration, a permanent school fund,
State Board of Agriculture, a State
Board of Health and MANY other i'm
portant changes which a careful con-
}. Isideration of that document will make
+ apparent to you.
: DIRECT TAX.
= Under the provisions Of an act Of
I. Congress entitled "An act to credit and
!, pay to the several states and terri
: tories and the District Of Columbia all
moneys collected under the direct tax
= levied by the act of Congress, approx
y ed August fifth, eighteen hundred and
sixty-one," approved March 2, 1891, the
sum Of S70772.02 was paid to the gov
ernOr of this state in trust for distri-
It button among persons entitled there
% to. Under the provisions Of said act of
Congress all claims to said money were
e required to be filed Within six years
/ next after the passage of said act and
y all claims not so filed to be forever
II barred and the money attributable
q thereto to belong to this state. The
II period of six years expired on the End
Le day of March last, leaving in the Farm
: ers' Bank at Dover to the credit oi
Is this account S., S,232.17 as will appear by
u the report which l shall have occasion
to make to your honorable body at an
early date. 1t will be necessary that
Z you, by proper legislation, authorize me
e to pay over the said sum SO remaining
r in bank to the state treasurer of this
% state.
y In conclusion, permit me to suggest
le that, while your duties are thus cir.
r. cumscribed, you are entering upon one
Jf of tho most important sessions of ths
id General Assembly held for many years
ir With this, the first legislative session
D. held under the New Constitution, rests
r in no small degree the future happi
X ness and prosperity Of our State II
as order TO accomplish the necessary work
". that lies before you, you should devote
lc the session to the consideration and en-
hit actment of these necessary changes IN
ne our laws and not permit proposed legis
IN lation on other subjects to divert you
n attention or prolong your session. Or
{; my part you may count ON a cordial
n concurrence in every measure for thl
IN public good and on all the informa
le ton I possess which may assist you n
the discharge of your important duties
REPORTS.
"' l herewith submit the report of tn,
Inspector Of San Jose scale, made h
me under the provisions OF chapter 419
of volume 20 of the Laws of Delaware