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

tions- Reform in County GoScrnmehb
Hocommended-other subjects OF Interest
Dover, Jan. 6.-The message of GOV.
Ebe w. Tunnel was read in each
branch of the General Assembly today.
Its full text is as follows:
Gentlemen of tho Senate and House
Of Representatives You have the dis
tinction of being the first Legislature
elected under the new Constitution OF
this State and consequently the first
elected frorn Senatorial and Repre-
sentative districts. As representatives
of districts your individual RESPONSE
bility to your constituency IS con-
Gned to smaller territory; but. while
this is the case there is no such limit
to your duty as the lawmakers OF the
State, for your duty cannot be circuIn-
scribed by such narrow limits, but Is
,coextensive with the needs and general
welfare of all parts of the State. Your
increased numbers should bring to the
body a moro diversified and complete
information Of The needs and require
monts of all interests of the State and
should give you more efficient MEM
bership Under the new Constitution
your powers and duties differ from
those Of Legislatures under our former
Constitution. Among these essential
differences are the restrictions upon
special legislation, and consequently
the taking away of the power to legis-
late on divorces, special corporations.
roads, bitches and kindred subjects
which heretofore took so. much OF the
time Of the legislative sessions, and de-
prived the State of that careful and
undivided attention to the general
needs which is the proper and legiti-
mate function Of legislative bodies In
view of these changes you are limited
to session of GO days, unless the
public interest so demand your atten-
tion as to induce you to remain longer
without compensation.
You will, therefore, readily appre-
ciato the necessity of immediate and
prompt attention to the work which
Shall come before you, Your session
must necessarily be busy one If you
are TO give to the subject on which
you will be called to act that careful
consideration which the public interes
demands. Every interest to be affectet
by prorosed legislation and the public
generally, who are interested in al
legislation, should be given ample op
portunity to be- heard The Constitu
ton guarantees to all citizens the righ
of petition, remonstrance or address t,
persons entrusted with the powers o
government, and there is no surer wa.
to avoid hasty and ill-adyised legisla
ton than full and free hearings in com
mittee. You will find this impossible
to do during your daily sessions, whe
your duties call you to the body. Yo
can greatly expedite your business ant
more satisfactorily perform your dutie
by remaining at the capitol at night
where committee hearings can be hel
and information obtained which
SO necessary for your intelligent actor
AS the executive, whose duty ii is
pass upon proposed laws, l assure yo
that | shall endeavor to act as prompt
as a careful and conscientious perform
ance Of my duties will permit. Wha
ever may be our affiliations We repre-
sent the same people, and our act
whether good or bad, affect all alikt
The people have delegated TO US Gel
tain powers and have set us to perfori
certain duties. If we act wisely "
not only deserve their commendatio
but render lasting benefit to Il
State and to mankind. The welfare
the State and of its citizens shou
stand first in our thoughts and Il
common good should appeal to !
above all other considerations. III
duties of Legislators are not contint
merely to the enactment into laws
THE desires and demands Of constit
ents, for you are sometimes confronts
with unreasonable requests and d
mands of dissatisfied and restless cit
zens, who would subvert the gener
good TO serve their fanatical and self
purposes. The advancement of the &c
eral welfare should be your aim, al
that which will improve the conditi
Of the masses Of our people rather tn
carry out the theories and desires OF
few. 1t is your duty 70 study careful
every interest of tho State and t
needs and necessities of her citizens
a whole. Legislation should be t
crystalization into law of the kn'
will and desires of the governed, q
no more serious error has crept in
legislative bodies than the impressi
that the people are best served
abundance OF laws. Let the wisdt
of your actions speak for the faithf
ness of your labors rather than the V
ume of statutes passed.
l welcome you to your newly II
njshed and comfortable chambers, q
stand ready to enter with you upon
work Of your session.
call your attention to the graft
ing condition of the finances of /
State. The able and careful mama
ment of the past has borne fruit il
small public debt and reasona
taxes. While the report of the ST
treasurer, which will come to y
hands later, will give you full inforr
ton on this subject, deem it advi
BILE to call your attention briefly
the condition OF the Treasury and
more important matters relating to
public funds, which will need your
tention at this session.
The following is brief statement
the assets and liabilities of the st
and the estimates of the State tire
urer of receipts and expenditures
the fiscal year of 1883:
ASSETS.
Investments benefit of General Fund
Bank Stock.
1875 shares Of Farm
ers Bank, at sos
per shhre... ....S S2.oI6Ou
20shares of National
Bank of Delaware,
at $500 per share. 100000
----S 92,67
Mortgages.
Junction and Break
water Railroad
Cofunanv at q par