Evening journal., 1908-09-02
UNCOVER THE Lid
IN KENT COUNTY
Republicans in Levy Court
Receive Report From In
Vestieating Committee
SAY SHERIFF OVERCHARFED
Special to THE EVENING JOURNAL.

Speciai 70 THE ENENlNG JOOHNAA@
DOVER. Sept. 2.-Because Of the re-
ports Of financial mismanagement on
the part Of some Of Kent county's oft-
cials, the Republican members Of the
Levy Court have determined 10 lift
the lid and uncover anything there may
be TO be uncovered That there is no
politics" in this action is evident from
1.-THE fact that the Levy Court is con-
trolled by the Republicans and the
county officials are Republican. To
show their good faith an dthat there
lis no desire to keep anything hidden
the Levy Courtmen are taking this
action right on the verge Of election,
land their attitude Is that the taxpayers
have a right 70 know If there has been
ANY irregularity in county affairs.
Report to the Court.
Itemizing each item, or month, Civ
ling tho number Of the warrant and the
number of the bill. Attorney ]. Han
Anderson. for the Levy Courts inves-
ltigating committee, reported on behalf
} Of the committee 10 the Levy Court
yesterday. alleging that William f.
Hartnett, sheriff. OF Kent county had,
during the sixteen months of his tom
in Office had overcharged until the total
amount Of his overcharges reached
$S.47O.14.
The investigating committee said in
its report:
q The total amount OF overcharge is
S3.47O.14, up 10 March 1. 1908
= Total amount received by the sheriff
= up 10 March /. 19OS-S6, 367.29.
Z Amount sheriff should have received
/ 81. 2.S972s.
e Last bill sheriff presented covering
: March, April and May. 1908, amounting
to 81, ,1OS.67, IS incorrect, with the ex-
Iception OF s142.17.
The report also gives the alleged
overcharge, month by month, on eacf
y warrant.
The Levy Court adjourned. after
hearing the report and ordering il
spread upon the minutes. adjournm eni
being TO September fourteenth, wher
court will reconvene TO take what ac.
tlon Is deemed best
Before adiourning, however, the cour
directed its investigating committee
consisting of John p. Hudson, Elmel
Walker and ]. Hall Anderson, to con.
tinue their inquiry and present re
port on September fourteenth agains
= the others involved in the alleged graft
The investigators and the court init
! mated all through the proceedings lat
, yesterday afternoon that the count.
wanted the money back. This has beel
the courts attitude all along. the com
nissioners thinking that the four thou
sand dollars would be more accept
able TO Delaware's smallest county
Z with its few more than 5000 voter:
e than would be any legal action.
A Three other officials are said to b
2 involved. but TO much smaller amour
in each case, a...,. ...s.
= Under Way Three Months.
The court began the investigation
three months ago. It was brough
). about by new law which mysterious
IN ly got through the Legislature. II
known as the law regulating fees {
the justices OF the peace.
ID The sherif's charges. however. wer
&c for board OF prisoners. principal
A tramps arrested for trespass. Ordinaril
I, there are no prisoners now in Ker
= jail except those awaiting trial or thos
y sentenced for light offenses to less tina
e six months, all long-term prisoners 70
T. over six months being sent to IN
8 Greenbank penitentiary under the pris
on reform laws.
'e, This matter, however, might neve
J. have been brought up. had IL not bee
a that under the new law regulating jus
ID tees of the peace It was found tina
e officers were arresting tramps by IN
wholesale. to get the fees the new lay
lallows.
The committing magistrate Is allow
T led, altogether. som mething like s1.1O fc
n each prisoner committed for trespas
! and the constable comes in for anothe
> liberal allowance for the arrest and th
= conducting 10 Jail under each offense.
"a Here It is alleged by the courts in
Il vestigators. that while prisoners weI
thus committed for twenty. thirty {
A, sixty days. and while the county wa
! so charged for the keep Of the sam
I, yet. the committee alleges, the commit
y ted prisoners in some manner got OF
= after a few days servitude and. II
- committee alleges. never got the boar
for the full term TO which they wei
- entitled" under the commitment
Attorney Anderson specifies II
>" terms Of imprisonment TO which thei
prisoners were sentenced and the tern