Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1902-04-17
0lCKEY'S B00KS DEMANDED
Levy Court Wants Former County
Treasurer TO Turn Over
His Account Books.
THEY ARE NEEDED FOR REFERENCE
Trustees of State Hospital Ask
I That Doctors be Allowed SIS
Each for Examinations as
to lnsanity-O Other Levy
Court Business.

The Levy Court Tuesday decided that
it wanted the books OF Former County
Treasurer and Receiver Of Taxes John
r. Diclley. This resolution was adopted
on motion of Mr. Elliott.
Whereas, The cash books. ledgers and
Journals containing tha financial transuc-
tons OF this county during the term of
Office OF John I. Dickey rs county treasurer
were not turned over to his successor in
Office ON the expiration of his term of office
on january lat, 1897, but have since re-
manned in the possession of The said John
T.. Dickey, to enable him to collect the
balances due on the tax duplicates and
Whereas, The said books being needed
BY the present county officials for reference
from time to time therefore be it
X esolyed. That Horace Ct. Rettew, the
present county treasurer, be and he is
hereby directed TO request the return to him
OF all books of the county now remaining
in the possession of the said John T. Dickey
by the next meeting of the Levy Court.
a letter was received from DIR. John
J. Black, president of the trustees of
the State Hospital for the Insane at
Farnhurst, and Superintendent y%il-
liam II. Hancker, on the subject of the
pay OF physicians for the examination
OF persons for insanity. The Levy
Court had decided to payeach of the
two physicians So. so, the 80 cents Eoing
fer the fee of the notary taking the
affidavit. The State Hospital trustees,
at their last meeting, decided to ask
all the Levy Courts of the State to
allow a uniform ratio of IS for each
physician. In their letter today Drs
Black and llancker refer to tho import
ance of the medical examination, the
state having hedged around with safe
guards the admission of persons to the
institution, it being required that tho
two. physicians making the examina-
tion shall have practiced medicine for at
least five years. Cutting down tho fee is
declared to have tendency to belittle
the declaration Us to the sanity or in
sanity of citizens examined, and to
take away from the dignity and sacred
ness which it is held should surround
such solemn transactions as declaring
the insanity of fellow being, and q
blow at the dignity and honor of the
medical profession upon which. after
all, rests the responsibility in all of
these sad cases.
Reference is made to the thankless
trouble it may cause a physician who
decides concerning the mental condition
of persons who afterwards may recover.
In case person should be committed
who is not insane, the physician might
be liable for damages.
The letter also speaks of the danger
OF ShaWking and splitting opinions,
should the low rate continue.
TIN npt1rt is alsr, ,,,.,al a.. -.
clans in cases where the patient is
found not to be insane.
On motion of Mr.. Ewart the letter
was received and filed. ..s-
A resolution was adopted, releasing
the bondsmen of Francis d. Baldwin,
collector of Mill Creek hundred, he
having settled in full. The bondsmen
of William Il. Husbands of Brandy
wine hundred were also released.
The court received an invitation to
attend the meeting of the Board of
Trustees of the Poor on Wednesday,
April Both, and accepted it,
Commissioner Armstrong objected to
o statement in newspaper that George
w. Duncan had remarked that it looked
as if Mr.. Armstrong remained away
from the last meeting to prevent action
on Duncan'S bill for dirt Mt Silver Run
road. Mr.. Armstrong declared that he
did not know that day was set for
bringing up the subject Attorney
Conrad said the matter had been re.
ferred to the attorneys and was not
scheduled for that meeting.
Mr.. Conrad presented proposed
Mr.. Armstrong opposed the payment
oil any money to Duncan on the ground
that the court has u lease on Duncan's
field for four years and verbal agree
ment for the furnishing of the dirt in
question.
Mr.. Ewart said it was unfortunate
that the county had Silver Run road,
but having it. dirt would be needed
and it seemed cheaper to pay Duncan
than to have tho dirt given elsewhere.
Mr.. Ewart held that the county
would save money by the transaction,
paying Mr.. Duncan his claim of $3.50
and receiving certain privileges. But
Mr. Armstrong held That the payment
Ut tho claim would open the way to
other claims. Mr.. Megginson, with
unconscious humor, made this remark
Duncan:
= He will never let up on the court
any more than the waters of the Silver
Run road will do
Attorney Conrad said he understood
there was breach in the sluico road
that needs attention.
Mr.. Armstrong raised the question
IS to the propriety of opening the
Duncan subject at all, because the
rules provide that a motion to recon
slider must be made by one voting
at the meeting when tho
lction is taken or the next meeting.
On motion tho claim was referred bnclS
TO special committee, which will in
;poct the road.
Tho resignation Of Robert d. Kemp
Is trustee of the poor was received
Commissioner Chandler
the appointment of Robert
.. Fraim1 of this city to fill the I'M
Expired term, and the court confirmed
5he appointment.
W. p. Biggs, who was tax collector
If st. Georges hundred in 1889 and
1890, appeared with reference to II
slaim of S34 and some cents held
against him by the court. He pro-
iuced a check Of 81, 4l6. 81 dated June
It'll, 1892, which bore the endorsement of
John L. Dickey to the effect that it
1DinpGFolief helley Will make q |
further investigation to SEQ the founda-
ion of the claim for SS4.
Mr.. Kelley announced that Edward
Hart, former collector in Appoquini-
mink hundred, mad paid S44S. 81 and
his duplicate calls for about that much
more. He was given until July LIST to
make further collections.
This was the day set by the court for
Tho final settlement by the old col
ectors. Time will probably be allowed
hose asking for it. Process is to be
Used against delinquent taxables In
his city about 400 persons owe taxes
-ba county