Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1899-01-12

The Governors Message.
Elsewhere in this issue of The
Gazette will be found the full text of
the biennial message of Governor Tun-
nell TO the General Assembly, which
was read to both branches of that body
on Friday afternoon.
Like the session of the General AS
sembly-the first under the new Con-
stitution-the governors message pos
sesses features of unusual Importance
at this time, and for this reason will he
read with more than the usual interest
by people throughout the State. As
more is expected of the Legislature, so
more was expected of the governors
message, and Governor Tunnel has
met every requirement in this direction.
At the very outset Governor Tunnel
refers to matter of great Importance
the duties of the Legislature under
the new Constitution, and the necessity
on the part of the members of giving
them the fullest and most careful con-
sideration. For this purpose he recon-
mends that the members stay in Dover
at nights during the session, instead
of running home each evening, as has
been the habit for some years, and thus
give the people an opportunity to be
heard upon matters of pending legisla-
ton. He points out conclusively that
Il will be impossible TO do this if the
time for public hearings and com
mittee meetings is limited to the noon
recess. This is reform that Every
Evening has already earnestly recon-
mended, and we heartily second the
convincing manner in which the
governor has presented the subject.
Governor Tunnel next refers to the
admirable condition of the States
to 81, 100, 419. Ii, and the liabilities to
1919, $50, showing an excess of liabii-
ties over assets of s349, $50. 16. The
governor very properly congratulates
the Legislature upon this highly favor
able showing, which few States in the
Union can equal, much less excel. He
recommends that the temporary loan Of
$50, 900, at 31a per cent, made for the
purpose of defraying the expenses of
the Constitutional Convention, be
speedily paid off, as the estimates Of
revenue and expenses for the year 1899
show margin sufficient for the pur-
pose, by the exercise of due economy.
The governor devotes considerable
space to congratulating the members of
the Legislature upon the admirable
results Of the provisions Of our new
Constitution for the safeguarding of
elections in this State, and for prevent
ing the use of money for the corruption
of suffrage, which had reached pro-
portions that threatened the stability
of our free institutions. All good citi-
zens will sincerely endorse his remarks
in this connection.
Among the important recommends
tions of the message is one in favor of
reform in our methods of county gov
eminent. Levy Courts, the governor
says, should be prohibited by law from
contracting bills and passing orders
when there is not money enough in the
county treasures to pay such bills OF
cover such orders. Here is fruitful
source of extravaganza and debt
accumulation plainly pointed out, and
the Legislature should not hesitate to
apply the remedy.
Liberal school legislation is also
recommended, and legislation in the
direction of good roads. Our Delaware
volunteers, who so promptly responded
to the call for arms in the war with
Spain, are warmly praised. A recon-
mendation is made for change in the
system of awarding contracts for public
printing and for the supplying of sta,
tionery, either by the appointment Of
public printer to take charge of the
matter, or otherwise. There is certainly
an opportunity to work a reform anc
effect a saving to the State in this
matter. The governor also praises tn,
good work done by the State College
for Colored Students at Dover, and b,
the Diamond State Hospital for the In
sane at Farnhurst, and closes his mes
sage with some reference to routin,
matters.
Altogether, the message of Governo
Tunnel is an interesting and import
ant State paper. 1t deals largely witt
practical subjects, in which the peopl,
have deep interest. Its style is plain
direct and comprehensive, and it.
perusal is a matter of pleasure, not
stilted duty. We take great pleasure
in printing its full text, and in recon
mending it to the careful attention o
all our readers throughout the State.
The Town Commissioners of Lewes
according to the Pilot, are maxim
efforts to subdue the disorderly Gle
ments of that town, of whom it says
"They are armed with pistols and othe
weapons and render the nights dan
gerous by promiscuous shooting. hav,
very little encouragement in executing