The sun., 1898-01-12

ment ana collection OF the tax Ontem-
plated. Ii in your judgment such de-
feots exist it is to lie hoped that the
law will be SO amended by you as to
relieve it of any Objectionable features
and insure its enforcement and opera
! ton.
BRIBERY At ELECTIONS.
The Constitutional Convention, recog-
nizing the far-reaching effect OF this
alarming evil, has provided against it in
very sweeping and stringent terms. But,
while these provisions are most compre-
hensive and complete in those cases
which they cover, they fall short in one
very important instance. The provisions
cover primary elections, conventions
or meetings held for the purpose OF NOM
mating any candidate or candidates to
be voted for" but do not provide against
bribery at primary elections held for the
purpose OF selecting delegates to conven-
! lions for the selection of candidates
This is the most important, for purity of
elections can only be attained by cleans
| ing the stream at its source. If party
primaries are to be the occasions of
bribery and corruption, engaged in by
men desiring to substitute their money
for the choice of their party and to set
up delegations to select candidates who
shall be their creatures, then what more
can we expect than that these same men
in the heat and bitterness OF political
strife will continue their bribery to in
sure the success of their candidates.
This defect in the Constitution applies
more particularly to Kent and Sussex
counties, where candidates have always
been selected by delegates in convention.
1t is your duty to remedy this defect at
once by such cnactmentS a- will prevent
bribery and corruption at primaries and
secure the people in their choice Of
party candidates.
SALARIES.
II will be your duty to fix the salaries
of the Judiciary and ut her State officers.
In doing 50 would impress upon you
the wisdom Of providing adequate and
rrmumcrativc salaries, for if we would
have competent and able officials We
must offer them the induccmcnt OF a
proper and adequate compensation Tor
their services. In doing so, however.
you must not lose sight Of our limited
sources OF income and the condition OF
our finances which it is your duty to
husband and preserve as has been done
in the past.
OTHER iEHI>LATION.
The Constitution also makes it your
duty to provide Tor uniform biennial
registration, Il permanent school fund, a
state Board of Agriculture Il State Board
OF Health and many other important
changes which Il carcf Il consideration
Of that document will make apparent to
YOU.
DIRECT TAN.
Under the provisions OF an act of
Congress entitled AN Act to credit and
pay to the several states and Territories
and the District 0i Columbia ali moneys
collected under TN" direct tax levied by
the act OF Congress. approved August
fifth, eighteen hundred and ~iX,y-"ne,"
March 2I, 1851. the sum Of
S1o,772u2 was paid to the Governor OF
this state in trust for distribution among
persons entitled thereto. | udcr llI"
provisions Of said act OF Congress all
claims to said money were required t" hc
flied within six years next after the
passage oi said act and al claims not 50
filed to be forever barred and th' money
thereto to belong to his
state. The period Of six years expired
on the second day Of March last, leaving
in the Farmers Bank at Dover to the
credit Oi this accu>;nt SS.232. l. as will
appear by the report which shall have
occasion to make to your honorable body
III an early date 1t will hr necessary
hat YOU. hy proper legislation. authorize
N" to pay over the said sum 50 remain
ing in bank to the State Treasurer Of
his State.
In conclusion, permit me to suggest
hat, whi!r your duties are thus circun-
7crlhrl, You are entering; upon one OF |
he most important SESSION, of the Cen
.raI Assembly hrld for many years.
With this, tn" first Legislative session
lcl under rhr new Constitution, rests
II no small degree il" lutUSc happiness
md prosperity Of our state, In order to
tcroupIl-il tn" necessary work that lies
before }uu. You should devote l." session
" tie consideration and enactment Of
hc~r necessary rh1nT"S III oar laws ami
not permit proposed legislation un other
subjects I" divert your attention on pro-
"ng your session. rn my Part Won may
'prjd ON cordial concurrence in every
measure io" li" pubIir go"d and ON iii
hr information po.-c~> which may
l>~ist you in tie discharge Of your I'M
'n4tant duties.
i:."uNI>.
herewith submit the report Of the
nAprctur "f san Dose sral" made 10 Hlc
under H." provisions ii Chapter 40, OF
Iul. NN Uf tn" Law oi Delaware, con-
aiming much valuable information II
.ita! interest to th" fruit growers Of
he state, and recommend it to your
arIuI consideration.
EHE W. TrN>Eu..