Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1898-12-08

HeIOfm IN L1Ny Suurs /
The question of reform in Levy Court |
management of county affairs is hound
to come before the next session of the
General Assembly. The condition OF
affairs in New Castle county demands
attention, 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 de-
plorable condition. The Sussex Re
publican of Georgetown last week as
serted that the county debt was large,
but that probably no one knew exactly
how large it was. This is an admission
from Republican paper. and the Levy
Court has been under Republican con-
troll for the past four or five years.
The statement, therefore, can be ac-
oepted as absolute truth.
Commenting upon this remarkable
declaration, Every Evening showed how
the Legislature, upon being appealed
to several years ago, had authorized
the bonding of Sussex county in the
sum Of $4,000, 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 $50, 600 remains,
an interest-bearing burden upon the
taxpayers Of the county.
Now comes the Milford Chronicle,
another Republican paper, and says
that the present floating debt OF the
county is at least s45, O00-as it esti-
mates the county's total indebtedness,
both bonded and floating, at s75, 600
For county Of the population and
resources of Sussex, this is frightful
showing. And yet there is no doubt Of
its truth-and the probabilities are
that the situation is even worse. 1t is
fact that the registration fees arising
from the late election, amounting to
about 5000, did not fairly get rest
ing place in the county treasury. The
entire amount was quickly absorbed in
cashing outstanding orders, SO that
there was nothing left with which tc
pay the expenses of holding the cleo
tion, and the election officers are whist
ling for their pay.
mo one can tell just how
much Sussex county owes" says
the Milford Chronicle, and in THU
statement it sustains the Sussex Re
publican. "This indicates poor bust
ness acumen,'' it adds, land there il
great need Of earnest and quick reform
in methods by the Levy Court, il
guarding against inroads on the treas
ury through the office of clerk of tn
peace by refusing to allow the larg
and unreasonable charges for worl
given out through that ofiice--in othe
words infuse business methods i
county government"
Viewed from one stapdpoint,i it woul
be but righteous retribution for tn
Legislature to refuse every measure {
relief proposed for the benefit of SUISSE
county, and to compel her people t
work out their own salvation undo
existing conditions. The fright,
state Of affairs now SO generally an
contritely admitted was charged durin
the recent campaign, and was q di
tinctive issue. The Republican pape
did not deny the charges; they simp
ignored them. The Democratic papo
pressed them hard. And yet the vote
endorsed the scandalous mismanag
ment by electing another Republic,
Levy Court by large majority.
would thus seem as though they pr
ferred mismnnagement and coun
bankruptcy and should be given the
desire.
But from the standpoint Of true pu
lie policy this course will not be ADV
able. Reform is needed in the ma
agement of all three of the countis
Sussex is ripe for the movement,
her terrible condition is admitted
all sides. Let the next Legislature Z
ply the reform, and let it be thoroug
and Of character that will apply mi
beneficially to each county in the Sta