The sun., 1901-08-03
RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED.
west Brandywine Grange Meets and
Makes Charges.

West Brandywine Grange has adopted
}heEa resolutions
on the important question of County
Finnnces, we the members of the West
& Rrandywine Grange, respectfully mak'.
the following expression Of views:
Ne believe that public officials shoud
adininister public affairs according to the
snnie rules Of rigid economy obser, cd
by prudent men in the management of
their interests.
Although we recognize that under pres
ent conditions the business of agriculture
can be Conducted proiitably only when
the agriculturist exercises skill, frugal.
ity and Industry; yet we are not opposed
to Increasing the expenses of agricul-
ture by Imposing on farm lands leglti-
mate tax for proportionate payment OF
public expenses.
We do however insist that the pubic
funds raised by taxation on farm lands
shall be expended for public purposes
honestly and economically so as to Sc
cure for the public tho greatest amount
Of needed 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
tax payers.
They have made improvident and
wastef,H contracts.
They have failed to safeguard the pub
lie interests by offering contracts to the
highest bidder.
They have expended large sums OF
money ia Court House improvements and
hnve concealed their waste of public
funds by approving untemized bills OF
accounts In this way they juggled with
a bill amounting to $4,000, rendered by j
81 N. Harman.
They have outside Of regular meetings
ordered large payments on contracts
without ncquainting the public with the
amount or quality Of the work already
done by the contractors. In this way
they allowed the payment of $4,000 to
Patrick Fahey without any adequate eN-
PLANTATION thereof.
BY methods OF waste like these we
find our tax rate increased about 30 Ia
per cent, while we obtain no adequate
return therefor. Our farms already full,
taxed are made to bear an additional
burden altogether unnecessary but for
the wanton and wasteful administration
of public affairs by these incompetent
and umraihful public servans. We dc
mand that proper redress be applied to
this serious evil
We demand that a rigid examination OF
the transactions of the Levy Court be
made by the Attorney General; and II tho
4 conduct of any members Of that body b,
found criminal we demand swift and
severe Punishment for the offenders.
We repose absolute confidence in Tia,
ability and mtiinching courage Of tlls
Attorney. General and we assure him OF
our henrty support in this public duty
which we urge him to discharge Will
Ia. r.rpfn lfti
ability.
We regret that the county comptroller
has neglected his duties during thcs,
grave times. He has approved bni'
which he should have at once seen were
irregular and which he should have al
once rejected.
II the waste Of public funds has beel
criminally committed we demand tha
the waste stop as well as that the erin
inai be punished. If the waste of publi'
funds has been committed through IL
regllIarities not punishable by the crimi
inal law, we still as urgently insist tha
Fthe waste stop; and we demand that ade
quate measures be provided to reliev'
the county from this continued waste.
Weshare with all good citizens q desir
TO see our criminal laws upheld; but il
this Instance we aim to save the ta'
payer from an unnecessary Dufu.l
whether it he imposed through crime o
irregular;ty.
We express the confident belief tina
the Attorney General will at an earl.
day lay bare the complete workings o
the Levy Court so that the tax payer
of the county who are vitally intorestn'
parties, may know the exact condition
OF the county finances and may thus b
enabled TO devise and adept adequat
measures OF relief to guard the citizen
against reckless profligacy or crimina
dishonesty in their public servants.
To accomplish the reform which tn
present serious condition demands "
respectfully submit copy OF this Dc
cinration TO his Excclency Governo
John Hmm, Hon. ii. ii. Ward, Attornc
General and tho press which is 80 grea
a force for public good.