The sun., 1898-12-04

General Assembly. The condition Of q,
lairs in New Castle county demands ~
Iention; Kent county concerns are not in
The best shape, while in Sussex county
there is no denying that an appalling
state Of affairs prevails.
In the latter county it is admitted by
papers Of both political parties that the
county finances are in most deplorable
condition. The Susser Republican Of
GEORGETOWN last week asserted that the
county debt was large, but that proba-
bly no one knew exactly how large
it was. This is an admission from o
Republican paper, and the Levy Court
has been under Republican control for
the past four o. five years. The state
ment, therefore, can be accepted as apso-
lutte truth. =,
Commenting upon this remarkable
declaration, Erery Evening showed how
the Legislature, upon being appealed TO
several years ago, had authorized the
bonding Of Sussex comfy in the su'n OF
$50, coo, for the purpose OF wiping out
the then existing floating debt. The
floating debt was liquidated, but now it
is even larger than it was then, while
the loan of $30, 900 remains, an interest.
bearing burden upon the taxpayers OF
the county.
Now comes the Milford Chronicle, an
other Republican paper, and says that
the present floating debt of the county
is at least $45, 900 as it estimates the
! county's total indebtedness, both bonded
and floating, at SIS, 900. For county OF
the population and resources Of Sussex,
this is frightful showing. And yet there
is no doubt Of its truth-and the proba.
bilities are that the situation is even
worse. It is fact that the registration
fees arising from the late election,
amounting to about SIS, 900, did not fairly
get resting place in the county treas.
ury, The entire amount was quickly
absorbed in cashing outstanding orders,
I 60 that there was nothing left with
3 which to pay the expenses OF holding
: the election, and the election officers are
g whistling for their pay.
! "No one can tell just how much Sus.
e sex county owes" says the Mlyoro
Chronicle, and in this statement it sus
! tains the SUSSEX Republican. 'This in
!. dicates poor business acumen," it adds,
4 land there is great need Of earnest and
0 quick reform in methods--by the Levy
S Court, in guarding against inroads or
= the treasury through the office OF clerk
:. Of the peace by refusing to allow the
g large and unreasonable charges for work
t given out through that office-in Other
S words infuse business methods in county
. government" >.
Viewed from one standpoint, it woult
be but righteous retribution for the
c Legislature to refuse every measure O.
9 9 relief proposed for the benefit OF Sus
. sex county, and to compel her people
to work out their own salvation un
der existing conditions. The frighttu
3 state Of affairs now so generally and con
tritely admitted was charged during thu
n recent camgaign, and was a distinctive
n issue. The Republican papers did no
!. deny the charges; they simply ignored
e them. The Democratic papers pressed
o them hard. And yet the voters endorsed
IS the scanda lous Encouragement by elect
n ing another Republican Levy Court by 0
: large majority. 1t would thus seem al
!. though they preferred mismanagemen
and county bankruptcy and should bt
!, given their desire.
J. But from the standpoint OF true public
h policy this course will not be advisable
+ Reform is needed in the management o
a all three OF the counties. Sussex is rip
! for the movement, as her terrible condi
'' ton is admitted on all sides. Let tn
next Legislature apply the reform, ant
: let it be thorough, and of a characte
n that will apply most benefcially to eac
J. county in the State Every Erening