Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1902-01-09
Nominated in the Levy Court Re-
publican Caucus Over Chan
dIer by a Vote 3 TO 2.
GREAT INTEREST IN THE CONTEST
MIR. Willis Was Afterwards
Elected, and Made an En-
couraging Address-lnci-
dents of the Levy
Court Organization.

The Levy Court Of New Castle county
reorganized Tuesday by electing
Merritt N. Willitts president for the
year 1902. Samuel Franklin Ewart ap-
pointed to succeed John Lynn, resigned,
as q m amber of the court. took his seat
After Mr.. Willis had taken the chair,
he made speech outlining the courts
policy, and was applauded by the large
crowd which was present Then the
court proceeded with its business
The Court House was the scene OF
much buttonholirg and comforting
Tuesday, NUM- rous citizens having
gone there to observe the proceedings
Of the Levy Court and some OF them
being desiIous to assist in solving tho
problem attendant upon its organiza-
ton,
The dawn of a new day in county
financial management may date from
this time. John Lynn is no longer IN
the court to lead misguided members in
devious ways. S. Frank iGwarr succseds
Lynn as member ard begins his Levy
| Court career with his own good record
as bus ness man to inspire the citi-
zens Of New Castle county with conf
dence Although Republican, Mr.
Ewart is of Democratic stock on his
mothers side, for his mother was one
OF tue Rrandywine hundred Ii dges,
sister of William p. Lodge and ls1ac
| N. Lodge. William r. Lodge, Mr..
Ewart uncle, was member OF the
Levy Court about % years ago.
Before the assembling OF the court,
SPECULATION was rife as to what would
be done in reference to the presidency.
Philemma Chandler and Charles Meg.
giuson of the Republican side OF the
court were early seen in consultation.
Then John q. Armstrong, who had
been cunversing with John y. Mealey,
the two being the Democratic members,
went over to MegginHon and Chandler.
1t was wondered ii any deal for COM
bination was pending.
Later Merritt N. Willis, Isaac S,
Elliott and S. Frank Ewart Appeared
on the scene Mr. EWart received con-
gratulationa upon his appointment
About lO.aO o'clock Willis, Elliott,
Ewart, Chandler and Megginson went
TO Comptroller Kelley's office and there
caucussed,
The fact that the five were together
was taken to settle one point, namely,
that the Republicans would act as a
unit While the Republicans were
closeted Messrs. Mealey and Arnlstrong
remained in the court room.
At II.30 O'Clock the five Republicans,
4 head d by Mr.. Millits, walked snto tine
court room and the large crowd that
had gathered pricked up its "a with
interest, Mr.. Willis whispered ia
Clerk of this Peace Quigley 3 ear. Mr..
Armstrong chatted quistly with Mr..
Megginson.
Deputy CLERK of the Peace George
Janvier, as clerk OF the court, called
the body to order. Willis moved that
MIR. Megginson be temporary chairman
| which motion was seconded by Elliott
and carried. Clerk Janyier called tht
roll beginning with the name OF Lynn
All the members but Lynn we're present
but none answered audibly.
"Don't give US chance to answer,
remalk ked iar. Chandler, and the ctowc
smiled.
Temporary Chairman MeggnsoI
, said II move that the clerk read Mr.
Lynn's resignation.
Without more ado, Mr.. Janvier reat
! Lynn's resignation. to take effect i'm
inediately.
} On motion of Mr.. Elliott, the resig
nation was accepted and Placed ol
record.
, The comm ission of MIR. Ewart, unde
: the appointment oil Gov. HUM wa
then read.
:, ON motion of MIR. Willis, Mr.. Ewar
! was ACCEPTED as member. Wilt
: SHOOK hands with MI. Ewart on his in
!. duotion into the court
" Clerk Janvier was about to read tn
minutes OF the last meeting, Eut Mr.
Chandler thought the election Of
president should come first and move
that the court go into nomination
aud election for president. which motio
prevailed
Il Mr.. Elliott nominated Mr.. Wilt
q and Mr.. Ewart sac0ndeo the nomination
n No other nominations were made an
Chairman Megginson appointed MessTe
a Mealey and Armstrong to be tellers
Nealey read off the ballots, whic
!. showed that Willis had received tiv
o votes, Chandler, one, and one blan
had been cast.
.'Thank you for the compliment,
said Chandler, when he heard that on
. of the votes was for him.
n Chairman Megginson declared Mi
"a Willis elected and the new presider
" took the chair.
x "Gentlemen Of the Levy Court,
Ia said President Willits, II appreclat
If the honor which you have conferre
"A upon me. | well know the duties in
n posed upon me as president of this coul
=. and say to you candidly that KNOWN
i them | shall not shrink therefrom. Th
+. court composed of a body OF men is tf
m representative of 10000 citizens, {
"a their financial agent and disburser I
4. their money. 1t behooves US 10 see
"a it carefully that We discharge our trus
rr fully, faithfully and tuly as steward
re ''That being the policy which | sha
Ii ask you to cooperate with me in carr.
IL ing it, | will ask you to establish
!. new syetem, a new regime, new epocl
IF and l pledge you my word rs repr
N sentative OF thIa body that that wi
ne be the line of action that will be carrie
on. -
Mr.. Willis then referred to the II
duction into the court of Mr.. Ellio
il. and himself, and continued:
he "We found "a debt upon this count
of floating debt OF over $50, 00o, and
In net debt, excluding that on account
10 the workhouse, OF 1925, 600. We fla
n. that today How 10 meet it is bus
Nv ness proposition, such as business mi
n we eau and will SETTLE. First, We W
v. see that the assessors assess proper