Evening journal., 1915-03-17
WEDNESDAY MAR. IL, 1915
Am EcoN0MICAL SESSION.

N LEDGEs made by the Republican party that the
L legislative session that ended yesterday would
be short and economical have been kept The Legisla-
ture did many good things and few bad ones 1t would
have done much in the way Of constructive and
beneficial legislation if the Democratic minority had
not injected partsanshp and obstructive tactics into
the proceedings and denounced partisan bills that
had only the best interests Of the public at heart
The legislative expenses kept down to such an
extent that they approximately $4,000 lower
han those of the session OF two years ago. APP
preparations also we're kept within the estimated
revenues OF the state during the next two years How
closely the legislators figured is shown by the fol-
lowing:
l915-Estimated revenues SSO4,774; appropriations
s765.324 or a lccway of less than 100000.
1al6-Estimated revenues $74O122; appropriations,
s7ssl54 or a loeway Of approximately $4,000
TO guard against any falling off in State revenue
that would bring il below the appropriations, one
Of the last acts of the Legislature was TO au-
thorze the governor and the State treasurer to is
sue certificates of Indebtedness to meet deficiency
that might arise IL may not be necessary to meet
deficiency in any year: but If such a contingency
arise the governor and the will be in
position protect the credit OF the State and to cope
with the situation 1t is admitted that the margins on
the side of estimated small but if they
hold good they will suffice the State through
until the next session without compelling il TO resort
TO borrowing to meet its obligations.
SO far as our county is concerned the Legislature
made TO the Levy Court allowance sufficient to
protect the credit of the county TO bonded indebted
ness and interest charges and yet placed that body
in a position which will compel it TO live within
its means during the next two years and to reduce
expenses sufficiently TO enable It TO work out of debt
Those things II do under conditions as they cX-
list; but it only can accomplish them by good busi-
ness Judgment and strict economy.
Another good thing done for county by the Logis-
laturc was to logalize the employment by county
officials of enough clerks TO perform properly the
work Of the several Offices and keep the records vi
to date
Wilmington was particularly fortunate in obtaining
desired and needed legislation Our city assessment
has been taken out of politics and the assessors viii
be appointed by the Mayor instead Of being elected
Legislation Of beneficial nature relative to the city
tax Office also was enacted. Heretofore 1t has cost
tho city approximately $4,000 year to collect the
taxes The two collectors have been placed on sal
aries Of $4,000 EACH a total of $4,000 and the new
system will result in material saving and better
results The bill 20 legalzc the collection of back
city taxes was passed, was the one giving tc
our city home rule in the matter of issuing bonds M
TO ten per cent OF the city assessment
The Legislature defeated the effort TO take away
from our city control of its street markets. which
was a commendable piece of work Provision als'
was made for an addition to High School Tn
fortunately however that piece of legislation no
followed by the passage of the bill designed to pu
an end 10 the present unpopular Board of Education
and TO establish smaller and a better hoard