Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1902-09-11
Farmers and Public Affairs.


Elsewhere in this issue will be found |
a full report of an interesting meeting |
of the Pomona Grange of New Castle |
County, Patrons of Husbandry, held
Thursday at The Mermaid, in Mill
Creek hundred. The resolutions adopted
and the principal address delivered,
show that the farmers of New Castle
county, as represented by the Pomona
Grange, are keeping up their com
nendable interest in the affairs OF
county government.
That this should be SO is not sur
prising; on the contrary, it is matter
of surprise that the interest is not even
more general and pronounced. For the
farmers of the county have material
concern in effective local government,
honestly administered.
A significant feature of Thursdays
meeting was the adoption of a resolu-
ton condemning the action of the Levy
Court in making allowances of extra
compensation TO the county comptroller
and receiver of taxes. As to the just
ness of this condemnation there can be
no doubt, as extra allowances to public
officers for performing the duties of
their offices are seldom warranted. In
these instances, the Offices carry salaries
OF ample proportions, and it is hard to
conceive of any extra work being i'm
posed upon them to an extent sufficient
TO warrant extra compensation. The
allowances were not made without op-
position, and the resolutions adopted
by the Grange warmly commend Levy
Court Commissioner S. Frank Ewart
for opposing the action of the court.
No doubt the action of the Pomona
Grange in this matter will be criticised,
out the business of the protest will he
recognized when these two potent facts
are considered: First the occupants Of
these two offices sought them with 4
full knowledge Of their duties and the
compensation therefor; second, the
salaries attached to them are moi
meagre, by any means; on the con-
trary, they are good salaries.
; Another important matter considered
, by this meeting Of farmers was that Of
drawing iuries for our county courts.
In this connection, those in attendance
: had the pleasure of listening to ar
, admirable address upon the subject by
, Mr.. ]. Harvey Whiteman, who is tbs
author of bill providing for another
system Of drawing iuries, which 1
7 recent Legislators considered but $e
{ fused to enact. Mr.. Whiteman pointed
{ out the evils Of the present system anc
! explained the provisions of his bill
which designed a system of drawing
/ juries by commissioners appointed TO
, the purpose-tc be selected in equa
4 numbers from the two leading politica
s parties-as iuries for the United State
t Courts are drawn. 4 full synopsis O
t his interesting address is printed ii
: connection with the report of the pro
r ceedings of the meeting. The Grang
r Endorsed his bill and directed its repre
d sentatives to the State Grange to advo
cate similar action at the next meetin
of that body.
It We congratulate the farmers Of Ne,
q Castle county upon the earnest an
! practical interest they are displayin
}. in public affairs, and recommend lik
vt action upon the part of farmer
10 throughout the State. Through the
D organized efforts in the right directio
D they can accomplish much good in tt
le matter of desirable legislation.