Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1901-07-25
1T IS NOT A BED or Roses
Says Levy Court Commissioner
Isaac S. Elliott,
TO SERVE IN THE LEVY COURT
How the Minority Members Are
Handicapped.


Levy Court Commissioner Isaac s.
Elliott of Brandywine hundred, who,
with Merritt N. Willis 0f st. Georges
hundred, was appointed to the Levy
Court in March, has found that the
position is not bed OF roses, and in
justice to himself and to Mr.. Willis,
who is down the State, he asked tD Q
The Gazette Friday to AXE tne fol-
lowing statement:
Although Mr.. Willis and l have
been members Of the Levy Court since
the latter part of March, we have not
yet been appointed on any OF the stand
ing committees Of the court. Our ex-
perience in the court has been rather
short and not Of the pleasanJast.
/ have already seen where large
amounts could be saved the taxpay ers
by q more systematic way Of managing
the county affairs. Among the in
stances | will name one which came
under my notice; that was the bill of
James Lynn for ferrying Purposes at
Seventh street bridge, which has cost
the county for several months at the
rate of $50 month. boat, which
believe the Levy Court could have
| purchased for a sum not exceeding SiS,
has been used for the purpose Of ac-
communicating about two Persons day.
Also. the idea of having building in
spector at the bridge-for that neither
Mr.. Willis nor are responsible, nor do
We approve of 1t. For this purpose the
county is paying 5l20 month.
The bills pasted ON Tuesday were
%. X. ID by memb ers OF the districts
| where the work was done, without be-
| ing discussed before the body OF the
1 - 4 had
approved any OF the bills. The meet
lug was called for 2 O'Clock, yet the
chairman did not open it until about
8 O'Clock, and that left little time be-
| fore Nh. Armstrong and Mr.. Willis
| had to leave to catch their train.
Persons who have attended sessions
| Of the court and observed the proceed.
| ings will have noticed that whenever
Mr.. Willis or myself has made sug-
gestion which We believed was In the
| line of reform 10 the method of trans
! acting business. und 10 the interest Of
the taxpay ers, almost Invariably such
suggestions we're defeated by majority
of the court. And further, that in
| such matters, before other members
had the chance to discuss the merits
| OF the suggestions, the chairman of the
court has expressed his views while in
II
the chair. and thus shown the mem
bers who stand with him how he de-
sires them to vote.
II invite taxpayers to bs present at
! the meetings OF the Levy Court. am
| always ready to hear suggestions from
any taxpayers and will present the
same cheerfully to the court. whether
they accord with my views or not
Let me cite as an evieenos of petty
injustice the fact that screen doors
have been supplied to some Of the
Court House Offices and not to others,
causing discomfort in the latter.
II make these statements, said
Mr.. Elliott. ito explain my position.
! believe D,ember of the Levy Court
should endeavor to attend to the county
business with the same care az he
would attend to his own business.
This means that be should see that In
every case the county geLs due return
| for It's expenditure.