Evening journal., 1915-07-14
NEW COLLECTORS
Must write THE
CITY TAX BOOKS
Law Framed Purposely to
Relieve Retiring Off
cialS of Burden
COLLECTORS MORRIS and
SAYERS IN Until 1916

Persons familiar with the enact
ment of the new tax collection law
for Wilmington by the last Legisla-
ture, say there is ample reason for the
law being enacted as il is. by provid
ing that the new tax collectors and
those who are to retire shall hold Of
fee at the same time. Unless the law
had been framed the way il is, there
would be no tax books and other rec
ords prepared so that the collection
of city taxes could begin on July 1 of
next year. it is claimed.
Some comment has been caused be-
cause the law provides that the two
new collectors of city taxes, to be
elected at the June election this year,
should assume Office on July 1 this
year, although they will have little in
the way of duties until early next
year, while James H. Morris and Eu-
gene NJ Sayers, the retiring collect
ors, hold office until June 80 OF next
near. Or c. Sherburne Rice, Repub-
liCan, and John l. Dolan. Democrat,
were elected as the new city tax col
lectors at the recent election. The
principal point of criticism of the new
law is that Dr. Rice and Mr.. DOlan
Will receive a salary of $4,000 for the
year from July 1, 1915, to July /. 1916,
although they will have no real dut-
les to perform until shortly after the
beginning of 1916. After their full
duties begin. on July 1, 1916, the new
tax collectors are to receive SO 900
a year.
The law passed hy the Legislature
was agreed upon at a conference Of
the Republican and Democratic mem
bers from Wilmington and also had
the endorsement of City Council. It
was realized at the time that unless
provision was made for writing the
tax books and preparing other rec
ords, the city would not be in a posi-
tion to begin the collection of taxes
on July 1. 1916. At that time it was
not known who the new tax collec-
tors would be, although II was rea-
sonably certain that the one from the
northern district TO be elected would
be Republican. and the one to be
chosen from the Southern district
would be a Democrat. The fairness
of the plan of providing that the new
tax collectors should prepare the
books of taxables and other records.
and not try to have the arduous duty
thrust upon Collectors Morris and
Sayers in the last few months of their
verms, was realized by the members
of the Legislature of both parties
when they conferred over the meas
ure with City Councilmen.
Mr.. Morris and Mr.. Sayers, the pres
.ent tax collectors. have until July ! oI
next year to serve They were reelected
in June of 1913, but did not enter upo.
their new term until July ], 1914. t.
serve two years. They are responsible
for the collection of the 1915 city taxes
Hence il will be seen that their lega
twoyear terms do not expire until Junl
30 1916 Members of the legislator,
had no desire TO legislate Mr. Morris o
Mr.. Savers ont of the offices to whicl
they had been elected, and neither dit
thcy regard IL as fair that Mr.. Morr;
and Mr.. Sayers should be compelled L
write up for the new tax collectors th
books of taxable voters under the ney
assessment for the year l9l6-l9l7. whic'
-'yill he completed by the Board of As
sessment next spring. Hence, the leeis
-lative act was framed to provide tina
Ah' ANN ~ -'itittu ANiitfl'iH HuOulu a.
suIne office on July ] 1915. in order Z
prepare all their hooks, records. etc, an
= he ready to enter upon the collection O
taxes on July l, 1916, when Mr. Morn
and Mr.. Sayers retire from the office O
assessor and collector.
While the new tax collectors arc
empowered to appoint two deputie,
each, il is understood that they will
not be appointed by Or. Rice and Mr.
Dolan until next spring, when tn,
copying of assessment lists will begin
City Council is to provide a salar,
for the deputies. but has not fixeC
II as yet and will not do so until af
ter 1t becomes necessary to appoint
such officials, il is understood.