The sun., 1898-03-09
wilmington Merchants Favor
Fractional Taxation.
LAWTON BEFORE LEGISLATURE
"A Very Busy Day in the General
Assembly eos HAZEL Wants
Smyrna's COustituti ~
Changed.

, DOVER, March s.-P,esident Iawton
Of the Board OF Trade, accompanied the
board committee, headed by Patrick
Neary, came to Dover on the early train
this morning.
Their visit was IN behalf OF the Ha, bOr
Improvement bill framed by Mr.. Lawton
and popularity known as the Lawton
bill.
They were accompanied by Charles &.
RnmfOrd, attorney. at-law, who is inter-
ested in this and several other matters
now before the session
MIR. Rumford has the "PIeading and
Practice bill at heart and is very much
Interested as to its final disposition.
! Tie is also interested in the Cherry
Island Marsh and some other property
which has for many years been exempt
! from taxation.
/ 1t is understood that the bill in favor
OF which the City Council visited the
Assembly on Monday effects all subur-
ban properties-anong them the Cherry
Island Marsh C"mpany's property along
the ''rivcr 'front.'
The members OF Council want the
fractional rate of taxation abolished and
Dill p(SSti 10 tllat cnu.
They claim that such fractional rates
are unconstitutional and that the law re-
quircs that taxes on like classes of b,op-
ery shall be uniform. Their bill has
not yet been presented.
This is the bill which is now of almost
paramount Importance with Mr. LMwton
and also with many OF the largest owners
of marsh and river front property in
Delaware. They claim that the bill
/ would bc unjust a> al present tie re-
claiming of the marsh land is Il con-
Stant expense.
TO put on the full tax would increase
the expense beyond reason.
''The bill cant pass said Mr.. Law
ton. sits unjust. Ii 1t does We might
just cut the dixie and let the water in
again. They would not like tlLt and
they could not tax a mud fiat"
Mr.. HAZEL introduced his bill to
amend the constitution Of the town of
Smyrna in regard TO the time of hold
ing elections and the qualifications of
voters.
Through an error in the clerical work
one date was left unchanged and the re-
s,lt was rather distressing
1t left the town without Il government.
In every place but one the word "Aprip'
was stricken ont and the word March"
inserted.
That one place was, Of course, the
most important one in the whole bill.
The old iowa Council died yesterday.
The new one, according t" the bill as it
stood. could not meet until April-and
there YOU are
by unanimous consent Mr. HAZEL was
allowed to railroad Il correct ion through,
and the town government was safe, and
the amended anendmcn: was passed.
The morning prayer was made 10y the
Rev. +. VI. Mun>oi, OF New Castle, who
visited the Assembly this morning in
| ehalf OF an unfortunate child in whom
his congregation are warmly Interested.
Their object is to have the child placed
in the school lor weak minded children
at Media.
The bill extending the time for obtain
ing and recording copies OF private acts
was passed
Thompson'S bill to provide Il drsens-
ing physician for l.Hwrs was introduced.
The Granger~ presented Il commune
cation through Mr.. :Dnnaldson which
was referred without reading to the
committee on agriculture.
The result OF the earnest work and the
proof Of the thnrnughncss with which
every point has been covered in relation
to the Lawton bin W;ls shown this alter
noon when tn hiII passed the House
with scarcely any opposition.
Wilmington now stands committed to
pay 81 for every $40 which the Govern
lmrnt apprialr> fr the benefit Of the
harbor. Two bills were introdnrcd by
Mcssr> Dempsey and johnson. In the
Senate most OF the bills which have
PASSED the House during the past week
were disposed Of
The following House bills were passed:
Bill providing for the sending Of one
more child to the school tor weak
minded children at Media; also the bill
which mace the laws conform to this
act; the bill i relation to infectious dis
eases; bill requiring the return Of fees
paid for commissions; cnnIHnsating
general for work during extra
sessions. NI-rrditl,'s bill in relation h
licensing unlrrtakerS was r;l, and re-
Irrrd. The House bill to repeal the
bid law which made il permissible for
he police department to license the sale
II lottery tickets was pr>tpncd
ShlLLl NJ.