Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1899-01-19
NEW SOuRc: OF REVENUE.


Council Endorses u aii Diverting ons-haif
of tho Proceeds From Local Liquor LII
censes to rho City.
City Council, AT its meeting Thursday
evening, endorsed a bill to be presented
to the Legislature diverting TO the
municipal treasury one half Of the
liquor license money paid in the city,
MIR. Oberly had read the draft of q
bill providing that, while all license
money paid by local liquor dealers
shall go to the State treasury, as at
present, the State Treasurer shall re-
turn one-half of it to the mayor and
Council of Wilmington, to be deposited
to the current expense fund. After the
proposed bill had been read he moved
that Council urge its passage at the
present session of the Legislature. In
support Of the measure he stated that
the city pays on an average, in liquor
license money, abouts$T0, 600 annually.
rural New Castle county, $4,000; Kent
county, $500, and Sussex county,
$1,000, the city's portion being 600
of the s85, 500 for the State. Whining
ton, he thought, should receive seven
eighths, but he would be content for 1t
to receive one-half.
Mr.. O'Neill also spoke in favor of
the bill. He said he considered IL just
and equitable. The city should be re-
imbursed for its outlay. 1t has a police
| force which for efficiency and every
thing else commendable cannot be ex-
celled by any other city of its size.
The policemen are paid by the people
| Of Wilmington, who are overburdened
| with tax and there is no means of OBJ
| taining revenue from any new source.
The saloons require police protection
and some Of the license money should
60 towardtthe support Of the force. He
could not see how any fair4minded man
could raise any objection TO granting
| the city one-half of the revenue derived
| from the business in the municipality,
| when it. contributes such large pro.
| portion of the whole amount. He had
| visited the. Legislature and from his
observations considered tho members
sober, judicious, reasonable mon, and
thought the city might lo5k for good
results from. them. He suggested that
Mr.. Oberly add to his motion request
that the measure be supported by the
press of the city. Mr.. Oberly acted
upon his suggestion and made the ad-
ditipn.
Mr.. Leary favored the bill, but he
thought 1t did not 60 far enough and
offered an amendment providing that
the mercantile tax collected in the CITY
be, divided in the same manner. He
recommended that the law committee,
with the assistance Of city solicitor,
prepare new bill providing for giving
the city one-half Of the liquor lioense
and mercantile tax money. Mr.. lOberly
thought this would be asking tso
much, as did also Mr.. O'Neill, and Mr..
Leary did not insist upon his almond
ment. Mr.. Oberly's motion was
adopted unanimously.
On motion of Mr.. Smith, the clerl,
of Council was instructed to notify the
city solicitor to attend all meetings OF
Council in order to assist in preparing
any measure for the Legislature which
might be deemed necessary.
The Board Of Education was allowed
its monthly appropriation of sl2, 1904. n.
Superintendent Charles Cannon oil
the crematory made the following re-
4 port for December: Weight of garbage
consumed, 1885, pounds; coal, Ibi,-
100 pounds.
DR.. d. /. McColley, vaccine physi-
clan for the southwestern district re-
!; ported thGt during 1893 he vsccinated
three males and three females and all
vaccinations were successful.
City Treasurer Curry made the fol
lowing financial report: Balance In the
Union National Bank to the credit d
current expenses. $50, 270.57; in each o.
the four depository banks, s2l,S36
total, sl76.6 l4.57; fund for the pur.
chase of park land, S23. 034.55; receipts
during the week-From Tax Collecto,
sayers, s4a5, taxes for 1855; Coiisoto,
Lewis, S17s, taxes for 1898; Delinquent
Tax Collector Mitchell, $3.50, taxes 70,
1897; City Court Clerk Adams, 1855. 81
fines, fees and costs for last month
, from the depository banks, s173.40, in
terest. City Auditor Pyle certified t
, the correctness of the accounts o.
, Messrs. Pyle and Adams and also Sec
i Rotary Wigglesworth Of the Board O.
Health, thebaiance to the credit Of thu
board at the end of last year bein,
$S76. 81. "