Middletown transcript., 1909-02-06
LEGISLATIVE RECORD
Brief summary Of The Doiugs Of the Gen.
eral Assembly Daring Past Week

session Of 1909 has passed into history
comparatively little has been accom-
plished, which is due chiefly to the fac
that business was not offered as exten
sively as it might have been. Such bust
ness as ia pending before the two house,
is in shape for consideration early mex
month, and there is now ample opportun
ity for any new measures which may, b
proposed. Several of the members hav'
personally urged their constituents TO has
ten what business they may have, but iE
most cases the response has been slow.
Smaller License For Eating Houses
Several Of the members have prospec
tive legislation under consideration, and
as soon as bills can be drawn they will be
offered.
Representative Lsfferty of Kent county
has interested himself in a proposition te
increase the tax on pool rooms and reduce
the license charged eating houses. He il
of the opinion that this change should be
made and he will take the matteru up next
week with John B. Hutton, the attorney
for the House. He is OF the opinion that
the eating house license regulations should
be remodeled considerably, go as to make
a lighter tax burden on those who are en-.
gagged in the business in small way.
More Help for Secretary Of state
Work has grown to such proportions in
the Office of the Secretary of State that tie
new Secretary, Daniel o. Hastings, desires
a clerk, which addition to his force lie
say is necessary to properly look after the
business OF the Office.
House Favors Repeal Of Voters Assistant
Act
By a strict party vote Of Is to l6, Rep.
resentative Bradford, Republican, being
absent, the House passed the House bill
repeating the voters assistant law, and
there was the liveliest debate Of the ses
sion. The bill now goes to the Senate;
but that body will, it is reported, likely
offer a substitute bill providing for new
ballot law and modified form of voters
assistants. The bringing up Of the bill for
final action in the House resulted in much
oratory and for time there was a lively
discussion.
Milford Hospital Project
The bill given notice OF in the House by
Mr.. Hudson provides for state appro-
priation Of S., 600 to go toward the pur.
chase Of ground for and the erection Of an
emergency hospital at Milford, and appro-
pirates $1,000 toward maintenance for the
first year, the amounts to be paid Feb
ruary lst, 1910.
state Live Stock Board
Sentiment appears to be divided among
members Of the legislature as to what
should be done with the bill creating q
State Live Stock Board and providing for
a state veterinarian. The way the bill is
drawn the State Board of Agriculture is
to comprise the live stock board aud each
of the members is to be paid salary Of
$3.50 year as such, while the veteriuar-
ian, who must be a graduate Of some
recognized veterinary college, is to receive
a salary of 81 900 year. Some of the
legislators appear to be in favor Of amend.
ing the bill 30 as to make the veterinarian
a member Of the board the same salary Of
the other members thereof, but what the
ultimate result will be is not known.
This Bill May Strike snag
Mr.. Townsend's bill making January
first OF each year moving day farmers
all over the state. which has been given
notice Of in the House, is likely TO meet
with opposition, as it has been learned
that there is feeling in Sussex county in
favor Of a later date. Legislators have
been asked to offer bill making March
FIRST moving day all over the state.
Monument Site Changed
Senate lint resolution has been adopted
authorizing the Gettysburg National Park
Commission to change the monument
erected to Delaware troops from its pres
eut location to that held by the troops in
battle.
Adopted-Senatp j tint resolutions fixing
February 10Th rs the time beyond which
no new business will be received.
Insurance Profitable to State
That the state derives substantial reve-
nue. from the insurance companies was
shown by the biennial report OF .Dr.
George w. Marshall, the retiring insur.
ance commissioner. The receipts for 1907
were given as SOL, sos. 81; disbursements,
So, 700, making the years profit to the
state $47, ,998.s7. For 1908 the figures
were: Receipts, $50. .024 IL; disbursements,
s., 700; net profit, $50. .S24 II. A recon-
mendation was made in the report that
fraternal beneficial associations be brought
under the supervision OF the insurance de
partment.
pbhbS 19pGdElba
Reports Of Manlove Hayes, president OF
the State Library Commission, and the
state travelling libraries, were submitted
to the legislature. Mr.. Hayes reports a
steady and increased demand for travelling
libraries throughout the state and this
has been supplied as far as the means Of
the commission has enabled the librarian
to meet the applications. There are 63 Of
these libraries, and most OF the applica-
tions for them are the teachers of country
schools and from Sunday schools. In 1907
and 1908 the travelling libraries were cir
culated 235 times, and they were distri-
buted in the three counties as follows:
70 we're sent to New Castle county, So to
Kent county aud 73 to Sussex county,
During this time 81 libraries have been
circulated among the Sunday schools in
the state.
Colored state College Visited
Members of the General Assembly
Tuesday paid their biennial visit to the
State College for Culored Studenta near