Evening journal., 1900-05-08
TUESDAY, MAY 8. 1900
THAT PENAL CLAUSE

With all five members of the present
Levy Court Of New Castle county can
didates for denomination, a serious
question confronts the Republican and
Democratic committees. AS at present
constituted the court consists of John
j. Mealey, Henry M. White and William
A. Sect, Democrats; John ]. Gala
gher Republican, and John Lynn.
Union Republican. Therefore the three
parties have a vital concern in the le-
gal status of their candidacy, concern
ing which a doubt has arisen ana has
been expressed.
In 1897 the Levy Court sent to Dover
a bill authorizing 1t to fund the float
ing debt OF the county. The Demo-
cratic majority had conducted the H.
nancial affairs of the county in such
slipshod and unbusiness-like man
ner that they could not meet their OBJ
legations and had to go to the Leglsla-
ture for relief. This bill authorized
them TO borrow on the credit of the
county a sum not exceeding $3.50. 900.
and to issue certificates OF indebtedness
for the same at a rate OF interest not
exceeding 4 per cent. IL was provided
that the first $4,000 OF this $3.50, 900
should not become due and payable un-
I'll 1910, and that a like sum should
become due and payable every year
thereafter until the whole amount bor-
rowed should be paid. The Levy Court
was instructed in fixing the tax rate
to provide annually for the sum OF SlO.-
600 which should, when collected and
paid to the county treasurer, be sci
apart by him in a separate account tc
be opened for that purpose and desig-
mated as the sinking fund account fel
the loan Of 1897, and the treasurer
should apply the sum so collected an.
nually to the payment of such part o.
the said loan as might from time t.
time become due under the provisions
Of the first section Of the act; but tha
no action should be had or taken b,
him until it should be necessary I,
provide for the annual amount comm,
due in the year 1910.
So much for that part OF the act
now for the penal section:
Section 3. From and after the pass
age OF this act no person elected Lev
Court commissioner in and for any O
the districts Of New Castle count,
shall be eligible for a second term.
The intent OF that section, which
with the two sections above referre
to, became law on May rs, 1897 is wha
raises a question as to the eligiblit
OF the present members Of the Lev
Court for reelection. II they are no
eligible, no party is going to consent {
denomination.
their denomination.
cratic Levy Court hid from. the publ
the deplorable condition into which II
finances Of the county had fallen b.
cause Of Democratic mismanagemen
In the Winter Of 1896 and the Sprin
Of 1897 matters had reached a crisi
Concealment no longer was possibl
1t was necessary to go to the Legisl
N'N4N ARA ANAANAf AoA blAAc W1It uut al
unpaid, and the credit Of the coun
was threatened. When the Democrat
majority went to Dover and told Il
tale Of its business incompetency Il
members Of the Legislature were q
founded by the revelations, and so we
the taxpayers of the county. II
Democratic majority made all sorts
excuses, but none Of them was sat
factory For a time the membe
would have nothing TO do with I
bill. The confession IL made was CO
demned on all sides At last the pl
for the reputation and credit Of I
county carried it through, but secti
three was added. as a mark of legis
tive disapproyal Of the record made
the Democratic majority. and here
have it:
From and after the passage of 4
act no person elected Levy Court co