The Wilmington daily Republican., 1901-08-02
FARMERS
ARE ACTIVE.

At the meeting of the West Bran
lywinc Grange held at Talleyville
asst evening the following resolutions
we're adopted.
On the important question Of
county finances, we, the members
of the West Brandywine Grange,
respectfully make the following ex'
preston of views:
We believe that public officials
should administer public affairs &C.
co riding tv the same rules of rigid
economy observed by prudent men
in the management Of their inter
eStS.
Although We recognize that un.
der present conditions the business
of agriculture can be conducted
proftably only when the agricultu'
rist exercises skill, frugality and in.
dustry; yet we are not opposed to
increasing the expenses Of agrlcul.
ture by imposing on farm lands a
legitimate tax for a proportlonate
payment of public expenses.
We do however, insist that the
public funds raised by taxation on
farm lands shall be expended for
public purposes honestly and eco
nomically, so as to secure for the
public the greatest amount of need
ed public work at the least cost.
We believe and charge that the
present Levy Court OF New Castle
county, is recklessly careless Of the
interests of the taxpayers.
They have made improyident and
wasteful contracts.
They have failed to safeguard
the public interests by Offering con.
tracts to the highest bidder.
They haye expended large sums
of Court House improvements and
and have concealed their waste Of
public funds by approving unitem-
lied bills Of accounts. In this way
they juggled with bill amount.
ing to 50, 200, rendered by ]. and j.
N. Harman.
They have outside Of regular
meetings ordered large payments
on contracts. without acquainting
the public with the amounto or quail.
ity uf the work already done by the
contractors. In this way they al
lowed the payment of $1,000 to
Patrick Fahcy without any ade.
quate explanation thereof.
By methods Of waste like these
we find our tax rate increased about
33t per cent, while we obtain no
adequate return therefor. Our
farms already fully taxed are made
to bear an additional burden alto
gether unnecessary but for the
wanton and wasteful administration
of public affairs by these incompe-
tent and unfaithful public servants
We demand that proper redress be
applied to this serious evil.
We repose absolute confidence in
the ability and unhinching courage
of the Acknowledgement and We as
sure him Of our hearty support in
this public duty which we urge him
to discharge with his customary
prompLitude, yigor and ability.
We regret that the County Comp
troller has neglected his duties dur
ing these grave times. lie has ap-
proved bills which he should have
at once saw we're irregular and
which lie should have at once re-
jected.
If the waste of public funds has
been crminally committed, we de-
mand that the waste stop as we'll as
that the criminal be punished. If
the waste Of public funds has been
committed through Irregular tiles
not punishable by the criminal law,
we still urgently insist that the
waste stop; and we demand that
adequate measures be provided to
relieve the county from this con.
tinucd waste.
We share with all good citizens
desire to see our criminal laws up.
held; but in this instance we aim
to save the taxpayer from an un-
necessary burden whether it be i'm.
posed through crime or jrregulari'
ty.
We express the confident belief
that the Acknowledgement will at
an early day lay bare tine complete
workings of the Levy Court so that
the taxpayers Of the county who
are vltally interested parties, may
know the exact condition of the
county finances and may thus b.
enabled to devise and adopt ade'
quate measures Of relief to guart
the citizens against reckless profit
gacy or criminal dishonesty in the!l
public servants.
To accomplish the reform which
the present serious condition de
mands we respectfully submit
copy of this declaration to his Eek.
ceilency, Governor John Hum. Hon
II. II. Ward, Attorney-Gcneral ant
the press, which is so great a force
for public good.
SUNDAY Concerts at BrHndywine Springs