Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1901-08-02
AROUSED FARMERS
PASS RESOLUTIONS
At a Large AOetinginTaley-
vile Levy Court Was
Arraigned

At meeting of the West Brandywine
Grange held in TalleyYille last evening,
strong resolutions denouncing the New
Castle Levy Court were adopted. Will
liam Bird presided and DR.. E. Harvey
Day was secretary. The matter of county
finances was discussed and committee
was appointed to draft suitable resolu-
tons expressing the sentiment of the
grange on the subject After spending
some time in going over the subject the
following resolutions We're presented by
the committee and adopted unanimously;
On the important question Of county
finances, we, the members of the West
Brandywine Grange, respectfully make
the following expression of views:
We believe that public officials should
administer 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 pres
ent conditions the business of agriculture
can be conducted profitaby only when
the agriculturist exercises Skill frugality
and industry yet we are not opposed to
increasing the expenses of agriculture Ivy
( imposing on farm lands legitimate tax
for n proportionate 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 economically, so as to secure
for the public work at the least cost.
We believe and charge that the present
Levy Court of New Castle county Il
recklessly careless Of the interests of the
taxpayers.
They have made improvident ant
wasteful contracts.
They have failed to safeguard the pub
lie interests by offering contracts to the
highest bidder.
They have expended large sums O.
money in Court House Improvements ant
have concealed their waste of public
funds by approving unitemized bills o.
accounts. In this way they juggled will
a bill amounting to 5000 rendered by
& J.. n. Hartman.
They have. outside Of regular meetings
ordered large payments on contracts
without acquainting the public with tn
amount or quality of the work alread,
done by the contractors. In this wa.
} they allowed the payment Of $4,000 t
, Patrick Fahey without any adequate OK
PLANTATION thereof.
BY methods Of waste like these W
find our tax rate increased about SO l.
per cent, while we obtain no adequat
return therefor. Our farms already full
taxed are made to bear an additions
3 burden altogether unnecessary but for tn
! wanton and wasteful administration O
{ public affairs by these incompetent an
= unfaithful public servants. We deman
, that proper redress be applied to this SCI
ious evil.
We repOse absolute confidence in th
ability and unfinching courage of the a
torney-general and we assure him of on
i hearty support in this public duty whic
Q we urge him to discharge with his GU
8 tomary promptitude, vigor and ability.
We regret that the county comptrollC
has neglected his duties during thes
grave times. He has approved bill
l. which he should have at once seen wei
q irregular and which he should have ;
q once rejected.
!. If the waste of public funds has bee
, criminally committed we demand thu
|. the waste stop as well as that the Grim
u nal be punished. If the waste of publ
. funds has been committed through irreg
= larities not punishable by the Grimm
l. law, we still urgently insist that Il
:. waste stop; and we demand that al
l. Quate measures be provided to relieve Il
Il county from this continued waste.
l. We share with all good citizens a d
sire to see our criminal laws uphel
but in this instance we aim TO save Il
taxpayer from an unnecessary burdl
whether it be imposed through crime
. irregularity.
Z We express the confident belief tn
e the encouragement will at an early d
d lay bare the complete workings of Z
Is Levy Court so that the taxpayers Of {
b. county who are vitality interested parti'
" may know the exact condition of {
It county finances and may thus be enabl
o to devise and adopt adequate measures
=. relief to guard the citizens against rec
"a less pronigacy or criminal dishonesty
their public servants.
'u To accomplish the reform which I
H. present serious condition demands we
spectfully submit copy of this declai
ton to his excellency. Governor HUI
"a Hon. ii. ii. Ward. Encouragement, n
at the press, which is so great a force
ia public good