Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1901-09-26

the thanks Of the citizons and Taxpayers
for this evidence that he is nov per-
forming his official duties in q manner
that measures UP to tho real intention
of the law by which his Office was
created. by his action be has onened
the eyes Of the people to the wrong
doing Of the Levy Court. He has re.
vealed shady transactions that will put
people on the alert and may furnish
ample material for the attorney. general
and the Committee Jof Fifty to work
upon.
1t is hoped the County Comptroller
may continue upon the lines of official
duty laid down in his message 10 the
Levy Court at yesterdays session. BY
go doing be will confer real service
upon tho Taxpayers. Even II his honest
and courageous course does not prevent
outrageous violations of law and wrong
full expenditures by the Levy Court, it
will impress the people with the gravity
and exent of ths evils and incite them
to apply the remedy.
A Pernicious Method OF ovr,charging.
1he veto message OF County Comp
troller Kelley, sent to the Levy Court
Tuesday afternoon, in its reference to
the disapprosed CLAIMS OF Magistrate
Daley and Constable Smith reveals
what will impress itself upon the
average. everyday citizen as per-
nicious attempt at oyerchareing the
county. As this is the first instance
in which the bills of the magistrates
and constables have heen subjected to
critical examination by the county
comptroller. il becomes an interesting
question how long the outrageous sys-
tenn. has been 10 operation, and how
much the county has lost by it
No matter what kind of explanations
mny be advanced, or what attempts
may be- made to show technical justi.
tication in law, the practice revealed ia
| these two hills cannot be regarded in
any other light than that OF palpable
dishonesty. No stretching Of the law
will justify magistrate in making, te
use ths language of the county comp
troller, ''seven charges against one
person for the same offence in one
day" And what will be said with
reference TO the action of the constable
in charging for harvesting the samt
person seven times 10 one day." auc
also for taking this person to jai
seven times the same day, at charge
of So for each taking.
Language fails to properly charac
4 terize performances OF such stupendout
cheek, of such unexampled mendacity
Although there is no comparison in thu
amount OF money involved, they ial
exceed, in defiance and audaoity, tn,
lawless and impudent rraptises of th,
sheriff and mayor of New Castle il
charging for the commitment OF tramrs
to the county Jail and for their boare
and lodging
Magistrate Daley and Constable Smitl
are entitled to the blue ribbon, and TO
audacity and absolute contampt o
public opinion their schemes of ex
tortion are without parallel. Sever
arrests. seven hearings, and seven com
mitmenrs to Jail OF one person in on
day and for the same offence Why no
seventy times seven, and make goo'
haul of it?
Let the attorney general and tn
Committee OF Fifty carefully inyesti
gate this new avenue of extortion un
earthed by the county comptroller
Investigation. There are other magis
trates and other constables, and man
such extortionate overoharges may hay
been allowed without question 10 tn
past. II SO, there may be ample materia
for the grand jury to work upon.
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