Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1901-08-22

A Matter That is Worth Considering Now.
Recent disc rsui OF relating to the de-
tai's OF our laeaI county government
have served to bring tho Office OF
county comptroller strongly before the
public view. The impoit ant bearing
OF this office upon the expenditures OF
the oonntys money 10 siRDifcant
feature in connection with somevery
notorious proceedings by the Levy
Court,
The office OF county comptroller is
really tbs most important in the GOV
ernmont Of New Castle county, and one
that the citizens should exercise the
greatest cnre in filling. Taken in the
ahstract-and without any considera.
tion Of recent events the county comp
troller ia the watchdog of the county
treasury" 1t is his outy TO ncrutinize
the expenditures Of the Lesy Court,
and to begin his scrutiny by close
analysis of every financial claim pre-
scented to that body. The Levy Court
cannot act upon any bill until he has
passed upon it, although when he dis
approves claim the court has the
power to allow 1t, despite this obios-
tion. The Levy Uourt can also insist
upon tho drawing Of warrant after
the refusal of the county comptroller to
countersign IL, IN which event the
comptroller lie absolved from all legal
responsibility 10 respect OF the clam
SO allowed, and the responsibility rests
solely on the Levy Court.
In the performance OF his duties the
county comptroller has ample authority.
He In made by law the custodian of all
contracts for public work, and when it
comes to investigating claims allowed
by the court he Is clothed with power
to summon and compel the attendance
of witnesses and the production of
books and papers. lie can thus throw
the light Of publicity upon every
financial transaction of tho Levy Court,
even IL he cannut restrain that body
from passing illegal allowances over
his veto.
But it will with readiness be seen
hcw important is an office that has the
power to throw light upon all the ex-
penditures of the county. With a
comptroller who will lay bare every
financial transaction and stamp the
seal of his disapproyal upon every
illegal expenditure, there is small
probability of even the most yenal-
minded Levy Court attempting TO rob
the taxpayers against his protests aud
warnings. The office bears ealary of
81, 600 per annum, with $500 per annum
for the hire of clerk. and an honest
and efficient comptroller will save to
the county many times tho amount of
the expenses of the Office 10 the course
Of year.
Unfortunately for the taxpayers of
the county in the present financial
crisis, they will have no opportunity to
vote for o county comptroller until
three years from next November. The
office was filled at the election OF 1900,
and the term of the office 10 four years.
Meanwhile they can think seriously OF
this matter and make up their minds
how they will act in respect OF filling
this Office at the next opportunity. II
any office should be voted for with an
eye single to the qualifications of the
incumbent, and with an entire absence
OF partisan considerations, this Office
should be. All that the voter shou Id
consider is the honesty, integrity and
capability of the candidates and vote
accordingly. An inefficient or an In,
different comptroller will be costly
experiment But an honest, capable
and courageous comptroller will compe
an honest, lawful administration Of the
county's financial affairs.