Smyrna times., 1903-01-14

The Delaware Legislature organized
last eek, began business in earnest
yesterday and outside the senatorial
contest, which is the most important
thing in the public mind, the Legis-
Iaturemen will take up for consider
alton the beginning message of Gov
ernor HUM. His eXcellency touches
all matters of State interest, none of
which will be more important than the
repeating of the registration fee and
the good road movement. In summar-
lzlng his excellent message, the i'm
portant features are noted as follows:
''The finances of the State are in
satisfactory condition, aud this is also
true of the various counties. The last
Legislature made allowances much
above those of previous Legislatures
and though this added expenditure
was urgently demanded in order to
increase efficiency, its action should
not be taken as a criterion. The
States assets, consisting of stocGs,
mortgages and bonds, amount to
81, 400, 3GS.11 The liabilities amount
to S555, ,61S.12. The State Treasurer
estimates that in 1903 the receipts of
the general fund will amount to $780,
600, and the expenditures $3.50, OOO
The school fund is expected to have
$25, ,0Sl.56 income from investments
and S120,000 appropriation from gen
eral fund. During 1902 the Secretary
Of State collected S72, ,657.2O in corpo-
ration taxes. 1t is estimated that the
amount of the annual franchise tax
from the cor pOrations chartered by
the State will amount to $50. 900 for
1902, the assessment not having been
made.
Governor HUM recommends that
the annual appropriation for education
be increased from $l2O, 900 to $3.50, 900.
He also recommends that the doors
of Delaware College be thrown open
to both sexes, and that normal school |
course be added.
The present election laws have, saws
the Governor, with one exception.
completely disappointed the expecta- |
tlons centered IN the Australian ballot |
system. The only good feature was
the introduction of the booth. The
registration fee is unpopular, as is the
requirement for biennial registration. |
Permanent registration and the aboli-
ton of the fee are recommended.
Enlarged powers are asked in send
ing deaf and dumb, blind and imbecile
children to institutions out of the State
for care and treatment.
Attention is called to the increasing
expense of maintaining the Hospital
for the Insane and it is pointed out
that it is intended only for cases that
presumably are durable.
The work of the State Board of
Health is commended, and the Legis-
lature is asked to make reasonable
increase in its appropriation to carry
on the work of that body.
Consideration of the matter of a
sanatarium for consumptives is recon-
mended
Tie recommends that the National
Guard shall be increased to twelve
companies, and that there shall be a
proper appropriation for their expenses.
Legislation is to prevent the desc
Grafton of the flag is urged. He
recommends the creation of a perma-
nent commission to call for the monu-
ment at Cooch's Bridge.
An appropriation to erect a State
Building at the Louisiana Purchase
Exposition and to provide for proper
exhibit is recommended.
He recommends salaries instead of
fees for all officers of the State Govern
ment.
He recommends State Workhouse,
which may be the New Castle county
building if proper terms are offered.
Good roads legislation is urged.
He recommends the submission of |
the temperance question to the people |
under the local option proviso Of the |
Constitution
Protection Of fish and oysters is
recommended.
He suggests the publication of the
proceedings of the late Constitutional
Convention.
He states that during the two years