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

1tiIfinL %tuNftss w ~ stttffty
Before the Grangers, Pointing out the
Necessity for Reform in the system of
Drawing Juriss in This State.
That tie people of New Castle county
appreciate the reduction in the tax rate
by tk<ipresent Levy Court; that they
aYf. ciate the good result of the re-
FORM movement which was responsible
for an Improvement in the Levy Court,
and that they are anxious to see the
good work go on and are willing to help
It, financially as we'll as morally, was
empbatically proved at the quarterly
meeting of the Pomona Grange, Patrons
OF Husbandry, of New Castle county,
at Mermaid, Thursday afternoon. for at
the meeting. after the matter had been
thoroughly discussed and the Citizens
Association of Wilmington had been
commended for its efforts and the mag
nificent result of its work, a motion
was adopted authorizing the worthy
master to appoint committee of two
from each of the seven subordinate
oranges to call upon all grangers and
others farmers in the county and ask
them to subscribe one-half of the
amount of the reduction in their taxes
toward the support of the reform move
ment- There was a strong sentiment
on this line at the meeting and imme-
diately after the motion had been
adopted IL members volunteered to
make such contributions themselves
and act as part Of the committee to
carry out the object Of the motion.
Others expressed the same willingness
to subscribe to the fund.
The County Grange is the chief or
RnUlZAtY0n nf fr fHa
comprising all of the subordinate
oranges, and each of the subordinate
oranges was represented at yesterday s
meeting Fully 100 people were present
and the day was most enjoyably and
protitably passed. One of the leading
features was an address by j. Harvey
Whiteman, the well-known attorney Of
this city, who is native of that section
and known by nearly everybody there.
His subject was 1.-THE Necessity for a
Change in the Jury System.'' He
spoke for about half an hour. and in
his address he pointed out the evils
which have resulted in the past from
the present system of drawing iuries
from names furnished by the members
Of former Levy Courts, and explained
the necessity for a change, as provided
Tor IN Jury commissioner bill, which
IS to be presented to the Legislature at
Its next session for passage. A similar
bill was before the Legislature twice
before and each time it passed the
Senate, but for some reason failed to
get through the House, although it was
almost universally admitted that its
passage would result in decided i'm
proyement over the existing jury s, s.
tenn.
Mr.. Whiteman began by telling his
hearers that &c was natural for him to
pc at Mermaid, as he began his active
career there. Some time ago when re-
quested to attend the meeting he prom
ised to do so and explain what he con-
sidered the most important subject per-
tanning to public matter.
He said ne had been Interested in an
sfort to havo the Legislature change
the Jury system. A measure was pre-.
5ented to the Legislature and passed
one branch. Because of his interest in
~ the newspapers gave it the name of
the Whiteman jury bill. For the mast
year It was his fortune to have a close
profession7i connection with a public
movement in the county and he ex
pressed the wish that every man in the
rounty could know every detail with
respect to the management of public
affairs. II that could all be brought
home to the voters he would have no
fear of the consequences.
Tho State government has been
honest and economic. OF all of the in
vestieations there has been no intima.
tion that the State government could
be materially improved upon. Not re.
flecting upon the county or the CITY OF
Wilmington, he said the investigations
were directed toward the city and
county government
At the request of the Board of Trade
Mr.. Whiteman and others became dele
gates to the National Municipal Leae,s
convention in Boston, at which the en-.
tire country was represented. Condi
tions as they existed in the great cite,
we're there detailed to the fullest ex
tent, and showed that the disease which
effects the body polite here has founC
It's way into other communities as we'll
He said, with meet to the iur,
system, he wanted to bring one or tive
Instances to the attention of his hear
ers. The affairs of New Castle count,
for the past II years up to about ;
year ago were very badly mismanaoeC
up TO an alarming degree of crimi
nality; The people suspected that some
thing was wonrg, as there was repu
lar increase in the tax rate, and it wa
the duty of the people to ask why tn,
increase was necessary.
The tirst notice taken of this was b,
some citizens of Wilmington, for th,
reason that the people of the city ha,
not only this tax increase to content
with, but also regular ascent in tn
rate Of city taxes, which were anon
twice as large as the county taxes
That iS'what led to the investigation
the result of which is we'll known,
Tie speaker said that for the las
few years up to about year ago, peopl
in charge of New Castle county drey
upon the county treasury with mucl
more freedom and extravaganza than
rich man would draw unon his ban
account, and he is prepared to prov
his assertion. That was the conditiol
of affairs. 1t is as clear as the mid da
sun that when certain members of th
Levy Court wanted money for priyat
uses they drew with entire freedom fror
thecounty treasury, observing only tina
formality which was required by til
county machinery for drawing upon tn
treasury. This reached a point wher
the people thonght 1T should stop an
some people undertook to stop it.
He next told of the PhiladeIpbi
committee of 100, which undertook /
stop the official rascality in that CITY
with good success. With the same ide
in mind the people of Wilmington ar
pointed committee of so. One of til
first things to attract its attention wa
the bold method of drawing none
from the county treasury.
Under the law it is necessary to ad
vertise for bids for all work and sur
plies exceeding $500 but various sui