Evening journal., 1908-05-05

letter from Outerbridge Horsey, then a
United States Senator from Delaware,
informing the Council that a state of
war between the United States and
Great Britain was again to be declared
and urging the Council to defend the
city. The communication was re-
ferred to a committee which subse-
quently reported to Council that the
old fort on the Christiana, which had
proved formidable defense during the
preceding war with Great Britain. had
since fallen into decay, the State
militia was unorganized and arms and
ammunition were needed. Upon re-
ceipt of the committee report the Coun-
eli memoral!zed Congress to erect a
fort at the Rocks" to equip it with
four 5-pound guns. to place 200 guns in
the arsenal and allow the city the pro-
lection of two gun boats. Replying
to the memorial, James A. Bayard'
Delaware's other United States Sena-
tor, said Congress did not deem it ex-
pedient to erect the fort, but would
assign two gun boats fCr duty of the
city and would supply the arsenal with
arms and ammunition as the Council
had requested.
Subsequently the Council became
very much excited over the presence
in the Christiana Of the Lady john
SON." ship loaded with 100000 pounds
of powder. The ship had been taken
by French Drivateer, and fearing
that the British might fire into the
powder-laden ship the Council wanted
the craft removed from the borough
limits. The Lady Johnson" was tow
ed where an explosion Of the powder
could do no harm to the citizens. The
minutes show further that the two
Delaware regiments were called to the
defense os the city during the war. and
that John Warner and p. f. I. dupont
were appointed a committee by Council
to go to Philadelphia and confer with
General Bloomfield relative to sending
Pennsylvasia troops to the defense Of
the State.
The same year Council met in ex-
traordinarv session to ascertain the
amount of money necessary to meet
expenses of the year, and agreed tina.
property tax to rne amount of 5000
and water tax to the amount of Sl4OO
should be levied.
Had Proper System Of Accounting.
The cash book of the city treasurer
for the period covering 1885 to 1900
shows a system of accounting which
saved the borough much money. The
tax levy for the year 1856 was 225
pounds. The amount was charged b.
the Council to the collector, credit was
given him for the errors and per
cent. allowed him on collections.
| Strange to say the collector got every
cent of the tax lew that year.
While explaining the account to an
| EVENING JOURNAL reporter to-day
Mr.. Ross said the system was business
like. and is similar to the new method
of accounting recently adopted by the
citv
The first tax levied, according to the
cash book. was in IVA, when the
estimate was 1O6 pounds and shill-
ings. From that time the taxable
property increased until now the levy
is about s75O.OOO annually on an assess
ment Of s5O,OOO,0OO.
Doqs as Source Of Revenue.
In the early Gays the borough had
some odd sources Of revenue. For in
stance a 'black dog was sold by the
borough to John Andrews for five
shillings. and "a small led dog" was
purchased bv DR.. Lattimer for a like
amount of English coin. And to thini
we asphyxiate dogs to-day" facetiouslS
remarked Mr.. Rcss. The record als'
shows that the borough obtained con
siderable revenue from the sale Of is
street sweepings.
DR.. John Ferris. Jr.. got himself int
trouble in September, 1898, for refusinl
TO serve as high constable after beins
elected TO the apparently undesirable
position. The cash book shows tina
he was fined six pounds for refusing
to serve. but as the book does not dis
close any receipt of the money, Johi
was evidently as determined not to pa
the fine as he was no. to fill the OF
fee.
The books contain MANY other entries
of real interest and four complet
volumes of the minutes Of Council, a
well as the accounts OF the treasurer
from 1771 to 1908.