Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1901-08-08
LEVY COURT ARRAIGNED.


West Brandywlnc Grange Wants a Com
plete Investigation.
West Brandywine Grange held
meeting at Talleyvile Thursday night,
when the Levy Court and it's methods
were discussed. William Bird presided
and DR.. #. Harvey Day was secretary.
Levy Courtnan Isaac S. Elliott, who is
member of the grange, discussed the
subject under consideration, after which
the following was unanimously adopted:
On the important question OF county
finances, we. the members of the. West
tirandywine Grange, respectfully make the
following expression of views:
We believe that public officials should I'D
minister public affairs according to the
same rules of rigid economy observed by
prudent men In the management of their
Interests.
Although we recognize that under present
conditions the business of agriculture can
be conducted prutitably only when the auri-
culturst exercises skill, frugality and in
dustry; yet we are not opposed to increasing
the expenses of agriculture by imposing on
farm lands legitimate tax Tor a proper
tionate payment of public expenses.
We do, huwever, insist that the public
funds raised by taxation on farm lands
shall be expended for public purposes HON
estly and economically, so as to secure for
the public the greatest amount of needed
public work at the least cost. t'
We believe that the present Levy Court of
New Castle county is recklessly careless of
the interests of the taxpayers.
They have made improvident and waste
full contracts.
They have failed to safeguard the public
interests by oierng contracts to the highest
bidder. 1850
They have expended large sums of money
IN Court House improvements and have
proving unitemized bills of accounts. In
this way they juggled with bill amount
ing to 50, 200.
They have outside of regular meetings
ordered large payments on contracts, with
out acquainting the public with the amount
or quality of the work already done by the
contractors. In this way they allowed the
payment of 5000 to contractor without
any adequate explanation thereof. b
by methods of waste like these we find our
tax srate increased about 1875 per cent,
while We obtain no adequate return there.
ior. Our farms already fully taxed are made
TO bear an additional burden altogether I'M
necessary but for the wanton and wHsteful
administration of public affairs by these
iincompetent and uniaithful public servants.
we demand that proper redress be applied
to this serious evil
We repose absolute confidence IN the
ability and unflinching courage of the at
torney-general and we assure him of our
hearty support In this public duty which We
urge him to discharge with his customary
prolnptitude, vigor and ability. n
we regret that the county comptroller has
neglected his duties during these grave
Times. lie has approved bills which he
snoulushave at once seen were irregular and
which he should have at once rejected.
II the waste of public funds has been
crimibHlly committed we demand that the
waste stop, as well as that the criminal be
punished. II the wuste of public funds has
been committed through irregularities not
punishable by the criminal law, ~ still
urgently insist that the waste stop; and we
demand that adequate measures be provided
waste. w.
We share with all good citizens desire to
see our criminal laws upheld; but in this
instance ne aim to save the taxpayer from
an unnecessary burden whether IL be i'm
posed through crime or irreguarity.
we express the confident belief that the
attorney general will at an early day lay bare
the complete VOL kings of the Levy Court so
tnat the taxpayers of the county who are
vitality interested parties, may know the
exact condition of the county finances and
may thus be enabled to devise and adopt
adequate measuresl OF relief to guard the
citizens against reckless profigacy or crimi-
nal dishonesty In their public servants. 3
10 accomplish the reform which the
present serious condition demands we re.
spectiully submit copy of this declaration
TO MS excellency, Gov. John HUM, Ron,
IL. h. Ward, Encouragement, and the
press which is SO great a force for public
good.