Evening journal., 1915-02-18
HOUSE SESSION FEATURED
BY PARTY CLASHES ON BILLS
Democrats Line Up Against Bill Affecting Sussex
County Levy Court and Larger Contingent Fund
For Revenue Collector and School Superinfendenfs
CHILD LABOR BILLS GIVEN
FAVORABLE SENATE REPORT

Special 10 THE EVENING JOURNAL.
DOVER. Del. Feb. lS~-Party line
ups on several bills featured the scs-
sion of tho House yesterday after
noon. the Republicans putting through
several bills which the Democrats
voted against There was an absence
of sharp debates. however. although
the Democrats voiced their protests
in several instances.
At the afternoon session OF the Sen
ate a favorable report was made on
the three House bills, which were
read and referred at the morning ses-
sion relating 10 the child labor laws.
One Of the bills would abolish the
present Child Labor Commission and
create commission of five members
to be known as the Labor Commission
of Delaware. TO be appointed by the
governor. Tho other two bills au-
thorize this commission 10 appoint a
child labor inspector and ten-hour
law Inspector.
Sussex Levy Court.
Frankly stating that the object Of
the bill was to break a deadlock in
NINI OunHfA ANMllNN NaINN AOuAAf ~ ~
resentative Hill, Republican. yestcr-
day afternoon had tho House TO pass
his measure 10 make five members
oi the Sussex County Levy Court and
the clerk Of the peace a quorum TO
transact business. All the Republi-
cans voted for the bill and all the
Democrats against 1t, the vote being
10 yeas and 16 nays.
Mr.. Hill stated that the Sussex
County Levy Court comprises five Re
publicans and five Democrats. with
the clerk OF the peace havineHthe de-
Gliding vote IN case of a tic The
clerk of the peace is a Republican
and when any question arises Ia
which the five Democrats object they
refuse to vote or walk out. causing Il
deadlock. The object Of the Hill
bill would he 10 make useless the
walking out or failing TO vote Of the
five Democrats. as the FIVE ReDubli'
cans and clerk of the peace remain.
ing could legally transact business
if the Hill bill should be enacted. The
last two meetings of the Levy COuri
have resulted in a deadlock because
of the Democratic members actions
Mr.. Hin said.
Representatives Elliott, Allen an
Cubbagc protested against tho bill. MI
Allen said the five Democratic mem
bcrs ot the Sussex Levy Court thin
they are entitled 10 share of IN
county patronage which accounts fo
/ the deadlock. as they are unwilling 2
give all the offices to the Republican,
! He did not think it fair TO give iiy
members the powcr TO transact business
The Democrats might as well stay a
home if this passes" said MIR. Allen.
Representative Davis read the law al
fecting the Kent county Levy Cour
which makes the clerk of the peace
member Of the court. aud gives him
vote Mr. Davis said the pending bi
would not give that much power to tn
Sussex clerk OF ;he peace.
Increase Collectors. Fund.
With a party lineup, excepting II
ono instance. the House ycsterda,
afternoon passed Representative Hill'
bill 10 increase the contingent fund O
/ State Revenue Collector Isaac w
; Bowers from $500 to 5000 a year. Mr.
Hill said the present contingent fnnl
had been found inadecdlte. as it dii
not provide enough money to enabl
I the revenue collector to get aroun'
! the State as he should. Nh
Hill said that with an increased con
tingent fund the revenue collector, il
all probability. could gather in con
siderable more State revenue, Repre-
sentatives Elliott and Hall. Democrats
objected to the bill on the ground tha
the duties of the revenue collector hal
not increased sufficiently TO warran
the increase in the contingent fund
All the Republicans and Representa-
tive Letherbury. Democrat. voted 70
the bill. making twenty in all, an
sixteen Democrats voted against il.
Aid For school Heads.
After Henry Ridgely. prominen
Dover lawyer and president of tn
State Board of Education had advo