The sun., 1901-11-06
ADAMS TAX
QUESTION
John P. Donohce Defines His Po-
sition to Levy Court.
ANSWERS MANY QUESTIONS
Will Refund the Money Himself to
Those From Whom it Was Col
lected After Court Set
ties With Him.
ANSWERS MANY QUESTIONS

Former Collector of the Adams Tax
John l.. Donahoe yesterday defined his
position regarding the money collected
and held by him and also the amount
advanced by him as a loan to the Levy
Court. He did so at the request of the
court and n substance said he proposed
to refund the money himself to those
from whom it was collected after the
court had settled with him.
The subject was brought up by the
presentation of the following resolution
by Mr.. Elliott:
Whereas, The tax collectors of the
several hundreds of New Castle county
have collected various amounts of money
| from the taxables of their respective hun
dreds under and pursuant to the pro-
| visions Of the Adams Investment Tax
law, which law has recently been de-
| clared unconstitutional by the Court of
the State of Delaware; and
Whereas, 1t is not the desire or inten-
tion Of the Levy Court to retain the
taxes 80 collected; and
Whereas, The collectors of all the hun
,lrcds outside of Wilmington have made
| return to the Levy Court Of the collec-
| tions of the Adams tax made by them
and
Whereas. The Adams taxes collected
| in Wilmington hundred have not been
| turned over to the Levy Court, hut are
retained by the two delinquent collectors,
| Lewis Dickey and John p. Donahoe,
Notwithstanding frequent demands hay.l
been made upon them by the Levy Court
for the taxes collected by them; there
| fore, be it
Resolved, That the county comptrolle,
lie and is hereby requested to prepare
a statement showing all the collections
of Adams taxes, from whom and the
Irrespective amounts collected by those
collectors who have made their returns
| to the Levy Court, for the purpose of
taking immediate steps to refund the
money so collected for the use and bene-
| tit of New Castle county.
Mr. Chandler said he was opposed to
th.. resolution. He said it was unfair to
refund the amounts paid by residents
outside of the city and not to refund the
money to those in the city who had paid
He urged that every cent that had beer
collected be refunded.
| Mr.. Willitts spoke on the question say
| ing he could see no objection to thf
resolution MS the matter had not yet
come to IA question OF distribution of the
money.
| The motion was lost.
| Mr.. Donahoe. who was present, was
asked to- explain his position in the mat
ter. He said he would do so cheerfully
as he was there to answer all questions
that were asked him. He asked that thu
resolution of June 6, 1899 he read ant
this was done. 1t showed that he ant
Collector Dickey had paid to the cour
lS4.112.23 and had been given an indemni
ifying bond. There also was an agree
ment to refund the money if it were de
manded and recovered from the collec
tors. Mr.. Donahoe stood on this ant
two receipts showing the receipt of th'
money.
Replying to a question of Presiden
I.ynn's he said he was acting under ad
vice of his counsel, Herbert III. Ward
and would say that he proposed to re
fund the money to those who had pai'
lit.
Mr.. Willitts asked if the court coul,
not indemnify him to insure him agalns
any financial loss by reason of suit If III
turned over the money to the court.
Attorney Knowles said there was NJ
doubt in the world that the court coul'
do so.
Mr.. Willitts then asked Mr.. Donaho
lif he would agree to such an arrange
lment
"(,entlemen," said Mr. Donahoe. "Ai
but about $50 of this money was collected
in Wilmington. You do not know thrS
people as I do, | meet them on tn
streets every day. On this floor as a MAJ
of honor | say that seven out of ever
ten have said to me For Gods sake
John, don't let this money get into tn
hands Of the Levy Court My bonds
men and counsel say that as the lay
has been declared unconstitutional fhl
lcourt has nothing to do with 1t and tina
it il a matter between me and the pee
pie from whom the money was collected
"Nhy have you not settled with theS
lpeople?" asked Mr.. Willitts.
"Because / can't get the money out 0
you" replied Mr.. Donahoe. 4 can
get anything by suing you for you az
not suable.'
How would you suggest that tn
lmoney be paid?'
why when you settle up with m
select place for meeting and refun
TO MI those who hold receipts from me.
Mr.. Willitts asked again about payin
the money to the court and Mr.. Donaho
replied, "That is just what intended
do but lawyer came to see me an
said: Don't do that, you and | hav
been friends for years and John fo
Gods sake give me few days to brin
suit against you.'
"What is your intention" aske
President Lynn.
81 am in the hands of my counsel an
| do not think it would be fair to al
: swer that" replied Mr.. Donahoe.
! This ended the discussion the couI
! having no more questions to ask.