The sun., 1898-12-22

I SS,572 which, with the $500 for books,
more than covers the $4,000 To those
!, on the outside this expenditure of money
appears excessive.
, One of the old Democratic gift schemes
, has been the passage of acts similar to
the one referred to. For several years the
General Assembly has given some office
, holder authority to make indexes OF the
records of his Office, mulctihg each one
of the counties for excessive expenses
, The seven thousand dollars provided for
Yesterday was out of all proportion for
, the work done, and we are positive that
it could have been done in one-half OF
| the time and at an expense OF not more
, than three thousand dollars at the
utmost limit. The absence of records in
the county Offices in Delaware has been
felt for many years, and it is right and
proper that such indexes should be made
, At the same time it is an imposition on
the taxpayers to have seven thousand
dollars paid out for work done in one Of
flee in this county, when it could have
been done for much less
1t is to be hoped that this system Of
honorary salaries has ended. 1t should
never have been permitted to develop.
When the present low condition of the
finances of the country are considered a
drain of seven thousand dollars becomes
serious matter. Morning Neus.
The near approach Of the meeting Of
the Delaware Legislature, which will
assemble at Dover on the first Tuesday
in January, is causing considerable
speculation among the politicians over
the election of a United States Senator to
till the place now occupied by Senator
George Gray.
Union or Addicks Republicans are
making claims that Mr.. Addicks will be
elected, basing these opinions on the
supposition that not enough Regulars
will refuse to go into caucus. Their
latest claim is that only four men, State
Senator Knox and Representatives Pill
ing, Lattamus and Clark, would refuse
to vote for Mr.. Addicks under any Cir
cumstances. This would leave twenty
seven Republicans OF the joint session, or
sufficient to elect over all opposition.
At the same time the Union Republican
leaders are saying that Senator must
be chosen and they appear to be willing
to accept some other Republican when
it is found that Mr. Addicks cannot be
elected.
Former Senator Higgins will, it is said
!; play waiting game in the contest. Mr..
Higgins, it is said, has had no hand in
manipulating the nominations or the
election. His close friends admit that the
New Castle county Regular Republican
, strength will go to Colonel du Pont, and
, there is no disposition on the part OF Mr..
Higgins to check this.
Should tie.up follow, which is more
than likely, it may be that finally all
hands will come around to former Sena-
, tor Higgins. 1t was the result Of a SINH
t lar situation in 1888 that Mr.. Higgins
+ was unexpectedly elected Senator for the
, first time.
, The situation at present looks as if
) there would be no caucus and the battle
! would be fought out on the floor of the
, joint session. The Regulars profess to
} fear that unless he can be named and
I supported by caucus Mr.. Addicks will
attempt to hold up again the election oi
a Senator, and the old story of "Addicks
or nobody will be repeated. They argue
: that this has been Mr.. Addicks' course
u ever since he became factor among
. Delaware Republicans. Whether or not
= Mr.. Addicks would be able to contro
!. enough votes to prevent an election, they
= say, is question. Wilmington Cores
). pondent Baltimore Sun.
y The report OF the Levy Court meetin,
II printed in Yesterdays Eyery Erenin!
J. showed that during the last six years tn
} county of New Castle had paid the sun
i of $25, 800 for the making OF new indice
), to the county records and the expert ex
ls y animation of the same. Other payment
~ for like work were made previously, AM
y it is probable that the total paid for thi
v service for the past twenty-five year
T. g, will not fall far short of $4,000.
'e In this matter of undoubted extravs
y gance and fancy prices for public sci
ne vices, the Levy Court has been pract
y cally unable to help itself. The wor
=. was invariably done in accordance wit
d, an act Of the Legislature, and the bill
OF OF subsequently paid by the Levy Cour
40 upon approval of the same by the judge
OF Of the Superior Court.
&C. The regulation modus operandi was
follows Application would be made
the Legislature by the county official
m charge of the records for permission
to make new indices, the necessity fl
nd which would be duly and impressive
in set forth by petition. Then bill wou
wo be passed, authorizing the official
he make such an improved index, and a
in pointing two or more attorneys to e
ler anime his work, and see whether 1t W
ed properly performed or not. The a
Ter generally called upon the Judges to pa
yer upon the claims for compensation, al
required the Levy Court to pay the
he after they were approved by the judge
ID 1t is a fact that nine times out of tt
on the compensation, both to the count
nd officer and the lawyers who passed up'
RS, the work, was OF the most liberal cha
wo acter. The figures printed yesterda
he showing allowances amounting to $2'
or 500 for New Castle county alone in ii
M past six years, are sufficient to give
he inkling OF what the total for the pc
he quarter OF century is likely to be, wi
In the Kent and Sussex allowances inclu
100 ed. 1t will certainly exceed $l00,0(
in For it is fact that the county offici!
he of the two lower counties have not be
at unmindful Of their opportunities
Ill make handsome "pull'' in the mat