Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1901-04-18
WHY INVESTIGATION
Is A STAR CHAMBER
AttOrney-Genera Ward Says Such At
fairs Are Necessarily Private.
OFFICIALS PRODUCE THEIR BOOKS
Doors Shut When the InveSti-
cation Began.
WILL COVER THE PAST THREE YEARS

Attorney General Herbert H. Ward
aud Deputy Attorney General Robert
Il. Richards Tuesday began their iaves-
tigation of charges of mismanagement
nsainst the Levy Court. Although Mr.,
Ward had in the beginning thought of
letting the public observe the invest-
CATION through the eyes of newspaper
representatives, he since decided to have
the hearing limited to himself and MIR.
Richards and those summoned by sub
rmnas to appear before him. To these
may be added one or two persons whom
he may call In to assist.
When asked as to the reason for
,priyacy at the investigation, Mr. Ward
said to reporter of The Gazette:
1.-The Investigation ia OF the same
sort the attorney general would make
with reference to any charges. Such
Investigations are necessarily prelimi-
nary and private.
Ten O'Clock was the hour fixed for
the presence OF the witnesses subppnaed
last week by State Detective james P.e
Ratledge, but they were not all on
hand at that hour. The attorney
general and his deputy we're in the
recently refurnished oflice on the second
floor of the Court House and there they
awaited the witnesses. While they were
waiting, attention was draw to new
leathsr couch which forms part OF
the furniture of the room. This had
already burst. it was said, and the fact
was meDt oned jocularly because it had
been bought by the Levy Court. The
Io3m looks very cozy, however, since
ret1tted aud Mr., Ward and Mr.. Richards
are grateful to President John Lynn oi
the Levy Court for his promptness in
responding to request to have it put
ino shape.
Deputy Receiver of Taxes Robert Nj.
Burns from Receiver of Taxes Horace
g. Rettews office was the first oiiicia
to appear. He carried a package ol
papers and book or two covering
transactions of the office. The bundle
had the figures 1882 written upor
it. Mr.. Rettew was not present, as ht
is still confined TO his house as a re
suit of his recent illness.
Next came Deputy Comptroller
Edwin @. Clark carrying some NOR
hooks. Not long after came, Comp
trollsr George Y. Kelley and Clerk o
the Peace Winfield S. Quigley, VIII
uiop NalliOo a lhShaBbs
After Deputy Attorney Genera
Richards had brought in larg
bundle which probably contained re
ceipted bills, the doors OF the attorney
generals office and the grard jur
room adjoining we're shut and the in
yestigation commenced.
The grand jury room communicate
with the attorney generals office an
its large tables are of convenient siz
Tor handling large books and papers.
Mr.. Ward will confine his investiga
tion at this time to the accounts II
the years 1899, 1900 and 1901. Two (
the lines of examination may he to diI
close, II such there be, so-calle
dummy persons, and persons wi
secured money from the county will
ont making due return therefor.
ease, for instance, bill which hi
been paid, is missing, some suspioiC
may he cast upon the claim for whic
the warrant was drawn.
UNION REPUBLICANS COMMEND MIR, wAI
rha Union Republican Fhst Distri
Committee Tuesday evening adopt
hbe following resolutions:
Whereas, Rumors OF maladministr
ton OF county finances have beer ri
in this county ior many years; and,
Whereas, Constant Democratic co
'trol OF the Levy Court Of the count
this control against which these iumc
o; NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. rest, has herei
fore prompted an investigation tn
would show what fraud had been col
nlitied; and who committed. Thel
lore, be it.
Resolved, That we, the Union +
publican COMMITTEES do endorse a
commend the action of the attorne
general in his determination that
thorough disclosure of the Democra
administFation of this county's finan'
snail be made public and that the
sponsibility for the maladministrati
'ot its affairs. for such maladminist
tion exists, shall be placed where
properly belongs =