Evening journal., 1917-01-26
CITY ASSESSMENT
SYSTEM IN COUNTY
Proposed in Bill introduced
in Legislature by Repre-
sentative Buckingham
HOUSE PASSES ITS
FIRST BILL TODAY
Correspondent.

otau Correspondent.
DOVER, Del. Jan. 26-Under a
suspension of rules. after It had been
favorably acted on in committee OF
the whole. the House this morning
passed Representative Downwards bill
TO make the title clear to the old
City Hall property in Wilmington, re-
Gently purchased by John ID. Mullin,
Jr., for $4,000.
There was no vote against this bill,
which was the first one passed by the
House this session. Representative
Connolly explained that he had ORR
ginally opposed the sale OF the prop
erty on the ground that the price
paid was too low, but he had been
assured that it is TO be turned over
to the Historical Society, and conse-
quently he Withdrew his objection
and would support the bill.
Representative Downward made a
similar statement. Representative
McNabb stated while he would sup
port the bill, It was his opinion the
building, if it is to be used for histOr.
ical purposes, should be moved TO
some other spot and the present 10
New Assessment System.
Representative Buckingham in the
House this morning introduced a bill pro-
viding for a new assessment system in
New Castle county which Is patterned
after the Wilmington and Sussex county
assessment laws. The new system IN
Sussex county has given satisfaction,
and ii Is claimed has brought in a large
increase in county funds without placing
an extra burden on the taxpayers.
The Buckingham bill which has
been approved by the Changers OF
the county, provides for a general as
sessment at the true value once
every six years and a scrap assess
ment in the off years. II makes pro-
vision for three assessors with a sal
airy Of s2500 each for the general as
sessment year, and 81 900 in other
years. Not more than two OF the as
SCISSORS, who would be appointed by
the Levy Court, can be from any one
political party. This system, il is
claimed, would result in a great in
crease in the assessment, but a ma
terial decrease in the tax rate.
Oppose Levy Court Ripper.
Much opposition has developed TO
the bill introduced several days ago
by Representative Buckingham. 10
abolish the Levy Court OF New Castle
county. and providing for the cleo
ton of a three-commissione body by
districts. The principal objection is
made by friends Of Levy Courtmen
elected last fall on the ground that
II would legislate them out of office
The bill will probably be amended
in some way to meet this objection.
State Officers Need Funds,
Owing to the long deadlock in the
Senate, brought about by the three
Insurgent Republican Senators in
ignoring majority rule and a binding
caucus. most OF the State Offices
have been conducted for some days
without funds. II is the custom at
the beginning Of each Legislature to
pass a concurrent resolution giving
the State treasurer authority to pay
out funds, on the approval Of the
auditor to run the State government
until the General Assembly makes it's
appropriations. The fiscal year of the
State ends on January IL. and since
that time most Of the officers have
been without funds as the resolution
could not he passed until both houses
Continued on Page Eleven)