Evening journal., 1911-08-02
LOSE PAY AS
Committeeman
Kent Levy COurtmen No
Longer Will Draw Extra
Salary From County
COMPTROLLER'S VIEW IS
SUSTAINED BY. HARRINGTON

Special to THE EVENING JOURNAL.
DOVER. Del, Aug. 2--The custom
OF paying SO a day for committee work
in the Levy Court Of Kent county.
will have to be abandoned.
Comptroller Charles J. Luff. some
time ago. began holding up bills for
committee work. and one batch of bills
for $6S to the various Levy Courtmen
was paid after his disapproval. The
law creating the comptroller Of Kent
county gives the Levy Court the right
to act over the veto OF the comptrol-
Ter by a specific majority Comptroller
Luff is a Republican, appointed by
Governor Pennewill, and the Levy
Court is Democratic by vote of seven
TO three.
At the first August meeting OF the
court. however. Mr.. Luff notified the
Levy Court commissioners that he
would not approve any bills for COM
mittee work and that he believed that
the county treasurer, Mr.. Hopkins,
who is also a Republican, would not
again. nor would his bondsmen per-
NIT him to again pay bills out OF the
county treasury for extra compensa-
ton.
The comptroller referred the Levy
Court 10 the law which says that the
salary of Levy Courtmen was then
(1905) increased to the sum OF $500
each per annum, and that that sum
shall be paid lin lieu of all other
compensation"
Going further. the comptroller
stated that he had a written opinion
form Deputy Attorney-General Har-
rington, which stated that under the
i. law the Kent Levy Courtmen must
carry on the work OF supervising
roads and bridges and holding regu-
lar meetings for their specified sal
aries Of $500 ~in lieu Of all other com
pensation."
All former courts allowed gener-
ously for committee work at SO a day,
going on precedent rather than the
letter OF the law, and the work has
cost from $500 to nearly $1,000 a
year.
President Truax and Commissioner
Donoho, the Democratic leader, both
acquiesced in the ruling of the comp
troller and intimated that committee
work would have to be managed diff
ferently hereafter, and while the work
might be more costly to the Levy
Courtmen, It would receive the same
careful consideration.
President Truax said:
"Of course, we are law-abiding
citizens, and If the law precludes our
claiming anything for committee
work. that ends IL. I regard IL, how
ever. as a great hardship and one that
was not looked for I realize that
to so az the beck and call of tho
people Of my own district and have
70 attend all meetings Of the court and
acquaint myself with all claims and
the order of business at the meet
ings.
'But in years Of experience in the
court, / never have understood that
I have to leave my home and go way
down to Bowers Beach to condemn pill
sociates there about a bridge, or go
down Bwers Beach TO condemn pill
ing for a wharf, OF go to Pennington
or Hickman, pay all my own expenses,
furnish my own meals and automo-
biles or horses. and not be able to get
my expenses. / say It never has
been required OF a Levy Courtman on
a $500 salary and I believe It will re-
suit in keeping out the more desir-
able business men from membership In
the court. for men are scarce who
want to jump into public life and
work for ninety cents a day and
board themselves. l mean good
average business men.
Mr. Truax said he would hesitate
hereafter TO appoint Mr.. Carmean
who is a cement expert and builder
and yet lives in Milford, to go on the
bridge inspections in central or
Northern Kent. as his time Is eXcep
tionally valuable in the open weather
and yet he is a very valuable. prac
teal man TO the county. While there
was an allowance 10 cover expenses HI
had no hesitation in calling on an.
OF the members, but he would nov
have to ask a farmer-member whethe
he was going to thresh wheat on
certain day.