Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1901-07-04
rhe lery court.. rerformnne..


We venture to say the gentlemen com
posing the Levy Court of New Castle
county feel very proud OF tie business
like manner 10 which they have per-
formed their functions. There 10 moth
ing like star chamber proceedings to
cover up incompetenoy, inoapacity and
a spectacular indifference to the right
OF the people to know what is being
done. and why the total appropriations
for 1900 should have been 1888, 500,
while those for 1901 are set forth AS
1856, 700. an increase OF 500, 900 10 q
short twelve months. or course, we do
not overlook the possibility that there
may have been some good reason for
this large increase. but it is not appar.
ent on the surface. In some OF the
items we can see the method in the
madness and make some allowance for
bad judgment and worse management,
but there is little matter of s15, 600
additional for public buildings, for
instance-what is that forY Are We
going to have marble trimmings and
high-olaas mural decorations to keep
pace with Albany We would really not
object to that Oh gareral principles, for
u there Is anything in this world We
admire 1t In art; but Injuries OF that
kind have something to do with the tax
rate, which we notice 10 to stand 331s
per cent higher than last year, although
we presume We ought to be thankful
II swas not so fixed to stand so per
cent higher.
Then there is that little increase OF
$1,000 for printing and stationery
q mere bagatelle, Of course, but 1t also
has something to do with the tax rate
what is the explanation OF that? Is 1t
to pay for fancy stationery, with artis-
tic headings, in order to match the ar Z
improvements on the public buildings9
Come, gentlemen, were you not little
wild on thatS Speaking OF being wild,
reminds US Eof your naive attempt to
amend an act Of the Legislature. Why
did you "ciawHsh" so quioklya We
understand your learned attorney, Mr..
Horace G. Knowles, claims you bad u
legal right to improve on the Legisla-
lures doings In that matter--did you
get enlightenment elsewhere? Poor
Knowles! Better keep In mind here.
after that the Legislature of Delaware
is not clerical annex to your court,
whatever it may be to the coat Of j.
Edward Addicks.
But to return to your gaiety with the
peoples money-wby did you add cuol
$1,000 to the appropriation for the
Second and Third districtst Whining ton
hundred y Why $1,000 to the First dis
trict, $1,000 to the Fourth district, and
50, 500 to the Fifth district? Do you
not think you could have economical
little on those items il you had tried
real hard?
Really, gentlemen, we think 1t would
be the better part Of wisdom for you
to act openly and above board IN you,
dealings with the people Of New Castle
county, particularly when you adopt
measures TO increase their yearly OK,
penses. Secret sessions are not con.
duciye to the retention OF that public
confidence you no doubt hope you now
possess, and when there Is nothing In
your official duties, nor in your man
agement Of the county's interests, tina
need be hid under bushel your fail
ure to face the public in the full high
Of day can only be construed as desir,
to conceal that incompetency and in
difference to which we have referred
The circumstances under which 20,
have adopted tax rate of so cents on
the 800 and also largely increased tn,
appropriations over which you hav,
control call for definite explanation
on your part and the furnishing of tn,
public with additional information {,
what IL now has befors II, in extenua
tion of your apparently reckless use o
your official power. Let us hear from
you, gentlemen. Our columns are opel
to you for any statement you may wisl
to make.