Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1898-03-03

" Resolved further, That 10 case OF
necessity the Governor Ia hereby en-.
powered and directed 10 draw upou tho
state treasurer for the sum OF $40, 900
10 defray tho expenses OF said militia
in complying with this resolution.
After tho preamble and resolutions
had been read. on Mr.. Donaldson 8
motion they were laid on the table
until Friday or such time as no may
see fit 10 call them UP. -..-.-.
Elk Secretary OF State J. Harvey
Whiteman was yesterday retained
to draft a general registration bill
for the State. at the request of
tho Joint committee on elections, MIR.
Wbiteman came down from Whining
ton and at noon held a conference with
tho committee relative TO the provisions
OF the proposed bill. lie aHid, in view
of the fact that tho conditions in a city
are diifarsnt from the conditions in
rura, sections of tim State, IL wac
! question with him whether the city of
Wilmington should yield to the rural
sections or tho rural Bectiuns Yield
some TO ths city. He said 1t was adj
ynrtageous and desirable to havo tho
same people hold tho registration and
! election, as has been the case in vii.
mington. The election officers outside
tho city of Wilmington are appointed
by the Governor six months before the
election. Tho timo is near at hand
when the Governor is obliged to make
the appointments under the old law,
and IT would be impossible 10 hold an
election until there is some legislation
on the matter.
In reply to question from Repre-
sentative HAZEL, MIR. Whiteman said
1t would be necessary either to abolish
the Department Of Elections 10 Viii
miDgton or provide for such depart
ments all over the State, and il the
department in Wilmington should lie
abolished, 1t would he necessary far
the Governor to appoint the election
officers, which would be decidedly
difficult thing. MIR. Whitemau thought
the department 10 Wilmington necos-
sity and could not Hne what could be
substituted for it. He would like to
500 the same system in operation
throughout the State. He suggested
that tho State he dietricted according
to patural boundaries, Wilmington one
district, rural New Castle county
another, Kent county another and Sus-
sex county the other. The proximity
OF the city OF Wilmington to larger
cities from which to Obtain repeaters,
1t is necessary to have something like
an election department to prevent
colonization. lie thought the pro-
Visions OF the city law might with but
n little trouble he adjusted to the
entire State. Under t1s new Consti-
tuti1n, be said, the election law would
have to be reconstructed. as would also
the registration law, as no law can
comprise more thnn one subject. The
objecti0n to extending the city system
to the entire State on the ground of in
creased expense, Mr.. Whiteman said
the expense would not. in his opinion,
be greater than at present
Nearly all of the members of both
houses attended the conference, as did
also Attorneys Pennington and Lyman.
Mr.. Whiteman was asked many quea-
tions, which he answered, and at the
conclusion OF his address there was
general discussion, which was partici-
pated in by some of the members.
After the conference ths joint com
mittee held meeting and instructed
Mr.. Whiteman to draw general regis
tration bill for the State on the lines
which he had suggested.
The matter of an election bill ia re-
ceiying serious consideration. but ita
details have not heen fully agreed upon.
With the subject of registration out of
the way, however, the election question
is much aimplifiad, and the drawing of
a bill will be comparatively eauy mat.
ter for the attorneys. Ii is said that
draft is being prepared by prominent
Kent county lawyer, but II such is the
case all OF the members have not been
advised as to the details. The matter
OF election districts is yet undecided,
as changes have been made necessary
by the now Constitution.
Nearly all Of the bills for tho extras
in connection with the State House
alterations have been received by the
repair committee and yesterday Repre-
sentative Eliason gave notice OF bill,
which, when 10 shape, will provide for
tho payment OF the several amounts.
At the last session Of the General
Assembly the improvements vera
authorized at cost Of $1,000. After
the work originally contracted for was
completed 1t was found that much more
was needed, many things not having
been contemplated The additional OK
pense will amount to about 81, 900,
making the total cost Of tho work about
Sl2, 000. The members are we'll pleased
with the work and there 10 not likely
to he any opposition to tho bills, as
they are found to be reasonable.
Representative L. S. Hopkins gave
notice of bill providing for new scala
fer the State courts. The seals are to
he the came as at present, except that
the wording will be different upon the
seals of courts the names of which have
been changed. bill, which was re-
Gently passed, continuing tho old seals,
was simply temporary measure.
Representative Dempsey gave notice
OF a bill providing that each Of the
three counties shall be entitled to have
maintained at the Pennsylvania Homo
for Feeble. minded Children four pa
tients. instead of three, as heretofore.
The reason for the pessage of the bill
ia that New Castle county now has IFS
quota at the institution and has ono
more candidate which 1t is desirable to
take care OF.
Tho House bill amending the charter
OF the town of Laurel. which passed
the Senate. empowers the collector OF
school taxes in the town to enforce the
collection of taxes.
ia2as.
ROUTINE PROCEEDINGS. 49,
Senate. ~
Dover, Feb. 23-Senate met al II a. m.
Prayer by the chaplain.
Senator-eloct Stewart was sworn In by tho