Evening journal., 1915-02-15
LEGISLATURE HAS
BUSY MONTH AHEAD
Party Lines Expected To Be
Drawn Tighter From
Now Until Close
"WET" AND DRY"
ISSUE TO FACE LINEUP

DOVER, De-, Feb. l5.-With but a
month ahead OF it. the Legislature re-
sumed its sessions today. and from
now on is expected TO sepacate the
wheat from The chan in the legislative
grist mill From now on. it would not
be surprising 10 see political lines
lightencd for the Republicans expect
20 put through some of the bills to re-
form governmental conditions in Kent
and Sussex counties 20 which the
Democrats object lnsistence upon
enactment of the measures to provide
for three member Levy Courts in the
two lower counties to supplant the
ten-mcmber courts two years hence.
and also to abolish the tax collectors
OF the various hundreds and 10 create
the Office of county treasurer and re-
ceiver Of taxes. is expected TO bring
forth the most determined opposition
of the Democrats
They term the bills "rippors," but
the Republicans have been careful in
drawing the bills to provide that the
tax collectors TO be abolished, shall
have two more years in which 10 fn-
ish their collections. that the present
county treasurers in Kent and Sussex
who are Democrats. shall not be legis-
lated out of office and shall continue
TO receive the salaries for the terms
fn Which they were elected and that
the new Levy Courts. to succeed the
present Levy Courts. shall not be leg
islated out of Office and shall continue
to receive the salaries for the terms
for which they we're elected and that
the new Levy Courts TO succeed the
present Levy Courts shall not go
out Of office until two years hence,
the new Levy Courtmen TO be elected
at the general election In 1916.
The Kent County Levy Court Is con-
trolled by the Democrats, while the
Sussex County Levy Court comprises
FIVE Republicans and five Democrats.
with the Republican clerk of the peace
having the deciding vote. The bills
fathered by the Republicans, and
which are to carry out progressive is
sues advocated by the Republicans In
the recent campaign. are not intended
10 change the political control Of
either Levy Court for the neNt two
years.
-Wet'' and sDry'' Question.
Lines are expected to be frightened
soon regarding liquor legislation. too.
II has been kept pretty we'll in the
background but committee action on
the many bills affecting that business
are to be held soon and the House may
soon have its first lineup on the
nd "dry" question There is
III doubt about the repeal oi
el anti-sb.pping law. but Tho
question is whether IL viii be repealed
outright. or by the enactment of Rep,
pesentativc Hills bill that in repeating
n also would put in operation a more
drastic law that would permit ship
ments of but one gallon Of liquor or
but one-eighth of a barrel of beer 10
any individual in Kent or Sussex
county in each month.
The bill also has stringent regulation
to check up on shipments and delivery
of liquors in the two dry" counties. Al
present under the Hazel law, shipment
OF LIQUOR for lawful purposes can b
made from outside Delaware into Ken
and Sussex counties, but cannot be mad
from New Castle county into Kent o
Sussex
No Resubmission Yet.
While quiet efforts are being made I
secure enough signers to petitions 70
rosuhmission Of the liquor license ques
ton TO the voters Of Kent and SUISSE
counties. enough simers have not bee
secured in the House. Two more al
needed in the House for Kent count
and three more for Sussex county. q
the Senate side, il is said enough signei
for resubmission can be secured for bot
counties Some persons familiar wit
the situation predict that enough Su
sex county signers win be secured 4
resubmission. and if that is done the
expect enough Kent members to al
their signatures TO the petitions to i
the people of the two counties pass {
the license question again. Should su'
situation develop the temperan
forces will try 70 force resubmission
the four districts Of the State-Wi
mington, rural New Castle Kent an
Sussex counties.
Labor Legislation.
Recommendation of the Wilmingt'
Chamber of Commerce that Senat
Hickman's amendment TO the Ien-hol
Law for Women's employment, TO pc
nit women to work more than ten hou
day if they are paid for the overtim
ioes not meet with favor Of many of q
legislators Some of them say II wou
)e Just as well 20 repeal the len-ho
.aw as to pass the Hickman amen
nent which they contend would prac'
ally nulify the law.
Action of the Legislature on th
bills to amend the Child Labor an
Ten Hour laws, as outlined in thes
columns on Saturday. will be awaite
eith interest The bills would abo
sh the present Child Labor Commit
sion Of eight members appointed
the State judiciary and would pr
vide for a new State Labor Commi
sion of FIVE members. TO be appoint
by the Governor. which would appoi
the Child Labor Inspector and Z
Ten-Hour Law Inspector. and Won
have supervisory powers for enforC
meni of both Child Labor and Womei
Employment laws.
NiimingtOn's Bills.
While many bills affecting Wilmir
ton have been introduced. no defn
action has been taken on any but I,
They we're the bills TO give the stri
and Sewer Department control of
garbage collection system and c
Council control OF disposal OF
garbage. Democ-atic opposition X
ed these bills. but they have be
roconsidered on motion Of the Den
Gratis and are now in committee. I
Of the important bills affecting v
mington now before the Legislatu