Smyrna times., 1917-03-28
LEGISLATURE ENDSj MANY
PROGRESSIVE LAWS MADE
ono NEW STATUTES AND AMEND
weNTS PASSED BY ASSEMBLY
Revenue, Good Roads and Temperance
Laws Most Progressive in Years
Farmers Also Benefited Materially

Farmers Also Benefited Materially
After the most strenuous week of
the present session of the Delaware
General Assembly, during which more
than 200 new laws or amendments to
present laws were added to the statute
hooks of the State, that body ad-
iourned Friday until to-day, March
28, at which time the Legislators re-
turned to Dover to pass the regular
claims and appropriation bills. Dur
ing the intervening time Governor
Townsend has been acting on all the
bills passed by the two branches of the
legislature. The last week of the
session has been marked by the pas
sage of many important hills, in ad-
dition to the scores of measures of
minor significance. The passage of
the workmen's compensation act adds
to the distinction that the ninety-sixth
General Assembly has of being a pro-
gresSive body, and swells the list of
important progressive laws that have
been enacted at this session. Pro
bably there has not been a similar
legislative session of a Delaware
legislature for the past fifty years
which has placed upon the law books
Of this state so many acts which will
bring progressive measures within the
reach of accomplishment through the
operations of the bills which have be-
come laws.
New Revenue Laws Big Boon
While all that was aimed to be at
tanned has not been accomplished, vet
it is realized that the laws created to
bring more revenue into the State
Treasury through new channels are
workable and reasonable, while no
objection can be made tn them on the
ground of unfairness. The purpose of
taxing investments seemed to meet
strenuous opposition from many sources
and it was doubted that su:h a bill
could be written into Delaware laws,
and, against it there was not a single
vote cast in either the House of Repre-
sentatives or the State Senate. A
companion law which taxes inheritance
Of property in Delaware met with the
same unanimous approval in its enact
ment and these two measures are ex-
pected to produce revenue sufficient
TO almost double the annual appropri-
alton to the public schools, and supply
ample means to enable the building
OF State highways.
Good Roads Forward Movement
The creation of a Highway Com
mission by another law also marks
tne forward movement Of progress
towards building real good roads the
length of Delaware. This department
mas long advocated, and it is con-
hdently believe that thru a State
highway Commission only can con-
crete or brick highways be secured for
delaware on permanent basis and
On plans of engineering which can be
worked out without the disturbance
rom county interference. Kent county
mas been given aid to take care of
more OF its roads, not what should
nave been but every little helps.
sussex county has been permitted to
'Ss"e bonds for one million dollars to
Oe used in the building of highways
similar to the DUPONT Boulevard, from
east to west across Sussex County in
as many roads as the money will con-
sltuet Along the lines of public
eoueation there has been legislation
winch is helpful and which will en-
sOie the people to get better school
results from the money expended.
Big Gain in Temperance Legislation
But this is not the only legislation
mat has been accomplished which will
make history in Delaware. The
nquor iniquity has been curbed by
snri-shipping laws, which will create
Oetter moral conditions in the entire
N.ate' and help our Deigbboring state
VI maryland to control the lawless
eOnoltIons which have existed for
."o years along the border lines be-
'"een us. The old "bottle law
which permitted the sale of liquor in
UOttles to be carried off the premises.
aaS been wiped off the books, and now
Will be illegal to take from any
saloon any liquor in bottles, or beer
~ either bottle or kettles; the
utinker may take away with him only
'lst Which he has drunk, and this
viii stop the giving of liquor to
saOitual drunkards who are barred
run buying themselves. and the Civ.
uK OF bottled liquor to boys bl
'snprincipalled men who have bought
n y, ior them under the old bottle laws.