Smyrna times., 1903-08-19
ROBT. D. HOFFECKER, JR.,
Associate Editor.

Comparisons are odious." We
intend them so to be, in this instance,
and believe that the taxpayers of this
county will agree with us that such
gross mismanagement of county af
fairs-to use nothing harsher-as has
been saddled on a long suffering pub
lie by the Democratic administration,
cannot be other than OdiOus. In the
name of all that is just and fair, what
excuse can there be for the following
enormous outlay for the Recorder of
Deeds office in the past twelve years.
In 1890 the records of the Levy Court
show that P. Spruance was paid $3.50
for indexing Recorder of Deeds office.
John r. Nicholson and R. r. Kenney
are paid $500 ePch for inspecting the
work. making a total of $315G. In
1898 James Nirden was paid $1,000 for
indexing Recorder of Deeds Office, ].
B Pennington and J. H. Hughes re-
ceiving 5000 each for inspecting the
work; total, $500 under Virden.
Then comes James Lord in 1901 with
claims of $500 for books, S2500 for
work of indexing Recorder of Deeds
office; w. 7. Smithers and James L.
WOlcott 5000 each for in specting work
total, S4, 200. Making a grand total
spent on that Office in twelve years,
$9,O5O.
Is there any sane man in Kent
County to-day who believes there was
the slightest necessity for this outlay
of the peoples money? The present
-s.T1-1'16 7sr>--ss-e; found those same re-
cords ready to fell to pieces and were
compelled to have them rebound.
The Sentinel has for twenty years
contended there was mismanagement
in county affairs. but how bad they
were we had no means of knowing.
The facts are simply astonishing.
Clerks of the Peace receiving 81, 900 to
81, 500 year more than they should;
~ Justices of the Peace presenting bills
for 81, 900 to 81, 200 per year; constables
receiving the same; sheriffs getting
$4,000 for one years services. How
could public improvements be made?
Citizens and taxpayers, we call you to
witness, this is not political ''bombast'
bat actual facts, that can be sub
stantiated. You have been "buncoed' -
for twenty years or more, your money
has beer wrung from you only to flow
into the greedy NAV of the insatiate
office holder.
What are we doing to remedy the
!. evil? We have cut the Clerk of the
Peace fees one-half; we have cut con.
stables and Justices of the Peace from
$1,000 to $3.50 per year, or less; we
have compelled every officeholder tc
buy their supplies-to be paid for by
the cOunty-through a committee ap
pointed by the Levy Court, and there
by save all commissions for the county
If any there be; we have allowed no
orders to pass the court unless tn,
funds be in hands of County Treasure
to meet same, thereby restoring full
confidence in the county's ability t.
meet all obligations; we have ordere,
a quarterly statement of the finance
of the county published and dis
tributed to the taxpayers; we have re
built Martins bridge, saved th
\Mahon's road with a stopping, re
b9uuo the county records, remodelIn
and putting steam heat in count
buil7'. appropriated So. 200 t
Co" -.3se for permanent i'm
provements; we are rebuilding a first
class structure at Silver Lake, two pei
manent bridges at Milford, one
Frederica, and the present IRON bridg
at Silver Lake will be removed I
Puncheon Run, on road from Dove
to Camden.
Do not be misled by petty partisa
spite or malicious personal slande
from the real issue-who best serve
you. But remember that your il
creased tax rate was necessitated |
refunding the investment tax, a ts
illegally collected and spent by
Democratic Levy Court; this increa
in rate only provides sufficient fun,
to repay money borrowed for refun
ing said tax. A quarterly statement
issued for your benefit. Study it we
and see what is being done with vol
money. See if you find any 81,