Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1902-03-13
GOOD ADVICE ABOUT
\ COUNTY EXPENDITURES
President Willis Of the Levy Court
Earnestly Advises the Members
ls TO be Careful About Bills.
TENDENCY TO CHARGE THE
COUNTY EX0RBlTANT PRICES
Chairmen of Committees Not
TO Give Out Work With
N9X out Due Authority.
IANTS SEVENTH ST. BRIDGE OPENED

The Levy Court had heart to heart
tnik yesterday on the subject of
the necessity for care in handling the
finances of the county.
'tWe have got to be careful with the
bills, 'said President Merritt N. Willis
as chairman of the tinance COMMITTEES.
He remarked that there were still
accounts on the old slate. The Will
mington bridges were proving very
Expensive and he hoped that the com
mittee on them would watch them
closely. Last year, Third street bridge
had cost more than $1,000 IL month.
Wilmington hundred had cost more,
cotnparatively, than others on the
badge line. He hoped amy tendency
toextravagance would he checked.
month ago tho balance in bank was
&78, 600; the last report showed
bnlance Of $5S, 600, IL difference OF
e2O, 600. Some of the money had been
used in refunding Adams tax money
and old bills. The question is: How
sthe county coming out at the end OF
he fiscal year, June 30th? The
yofnptroller's statement showed that
bN0,0OU is due the county, but part
iDf that will he errors. Mr.. Willis said
the tendency is to charge the county
high prices, and he admonished the
committeemen to be cautious.
Mr.. Ewart endorsed the presidents
view and said that before he was
appointed member of the court, u
gentleman told him that whether he or
someone else entered the court be
would find that the tax rate would
have to be raised, and would be amazed
To find what back bills remained un-
paid.
Mr.. Ewart then inquired if any
member knew anything of the East
burn bill Of 543S, which was discussed
Before the court Tuesday. None of
Rthem knew of the bill until it was
mentioned in court Mr.. Ewart won
dered if the rest of the bridge had ever
been paid for, the Sl3S being simply
for stone, sand and transportation.
1--WE do not know where we arc
Branding; it is II very serious matter, -
added Mr.. Ewart. He then offered
RESOLUTION requiring chairmen of com
mi ttees 10 consult their committees
before giving out work, except in cases
(which demand immediate attention.
Messrs Chandler and Armstrong on
Adprsed the resolution.
Mr.. Chandler said he had no OBJ
#jection to the resolution; but did not
think any chairman would act without
fbis committee, and therefore considered
lime resolution unnecessary.
President Willis remarked that there
Ahad been chairmen in the Levy Court
NsNho did the Work without consulting
3thHir committees, whereas it was the
Fuu{y of chairman to carry out the
work planned by the committee.
Nh. Ewart, in unfolding his resolu-
ton, said that it would help the mem
bnfs from drifting into bad business
habits 1t was not meant as u refec-
tiun on any one.
kHhe resolution was adopted.
Messrs. Chandler and Ewart went
Yesterday afternoon to inspect u bridge
which needs attention.
Commissioner Elliott hoped the
court would do something about open
ing Seventh street bridge to travel
Tiie marsh company had kept up the
BANK, which was good thing for the
health of Wilmington, and he believed
sonething would take place in that
ss6tion which would benefit the county
LII taxes
Mr.. Chandler declared that Seventh
HtFeet bridge was conceived in sin
and horn in iniquity, and he believed
that it was the intention at the time
1T was building to defraud the county.
The courts attorney was to pass upon
the question of the right of the court
toStake the bridge. He believed that
Through failure to finish the structure
Within the time prescribed, April lst,
1901, large forfeiture could he made.
He inspected the bridge recently and
Hound some planks had been torn from
the protection pier. 1t looked to him
As if bad lumber had been used in the
Btringers.
mir Ewart objected to accepting the
bridge at this time.
fIfUJt Jnl -
Patrick Fahey, who built the bridge
ID confer with the court on Friday.
# On the subject of the fees of the
Regulator of weights and measures, The
sourt's attorney, Henry G. Conrad
gave this opinion.
S Gentlemen: A careful reading of the Law
governing the regulator of weights int
reasuIes in and for New Castle county con
Vinces me that where the regulator or in
speetor. finds the weights or measures cor
met, he, under the law, shall demand I'm,
Receive for his services one half of the fee
Mat the law provides shall be paid whur
The weights or measures ere tried and Goun,
incorrect or deficient, and where an adjust
fnent has to be made by the regulator il
order TO correct and re-estahlish thAm.
pBrietly stated, where the Weights an,
measures require both testing and adjust
ment, the regulator is entitled to the FIJI
fee allowed in the act; on the other hand
where on "A test alone they are found correct
the regulator is entitled only to one half q
the fees allowed in the act.
Further, where the weights or measure
are tested and condemned, the regulator
entitled to one-hnlf fees. In no case is an
part OF the fees payable either to the count
or State, the entire fee collected whethe
the whole or half fee, being payable to til
naeulator or alone.
Mr. Ewart reported that Mr. Conra
SAID the court had no jurisdiction on tn
subiect of the failure of City Registra
Cahill to furnish Recorder of Deed
CLARK with a list of the births, death
and marriages. Mr.. Clark will hav
tozget them in the best way he can.
John F., Mclaughlin was re-electe
@ constable for Wilmington hundred
He was nominated by Mr. Chandler
and received the votes of the five mem
beers present, Willis, Chandler, Elliott
Ewart and Armstrong.
Adjournment was taken until Erda
+ morning,
& Accidentally Shot.
!. awhile handling revolver Sunda
mbrning Joseph Serson of 1912 ID stree
tnGGldentally shot himSoIf tbrn,,,h 4 h