Evening journal., 1918-02-07
Commissioner Mustard
Charges That County
ErgiIeer Hawkins Named
Fourteen Democrats aud
Only One Repub ican
ENGINEER DENIES
POLITICAL MOTIVE
Special 10 THE EVENING JOURNAL.


klns. In making his appointments Of
nfteen road supervisors, was partisan
and injected politics into II, in that all
Of the appointments were Democrats
except one. County Commissioner VIII
liam J. Mustard Republican member Of
the County Commission, has for the
past few days. stirred up hornets
nest.
The supervisors appointed by the
county engineer with the exception Of
three. were acting supervisors under
state Highway Engineer C. NJ. Upham,
when he was county engineer. and at
that time no objection was made to
them.
The resolution. offered by Commits
sioner Mustard. which was not
adopted, was as follows:
Whereas, Pursuant TO Chapter &c,
Vol %. Laws Of Delaware, the county
ngineer has appointed road super
visors for the year. Of 1918, and has re-
ported said appointments 70 the Levy
Court, and
Whereas. The said appointments are
political and partisan, all OF said ap-
pointments being Democrats except
one. and
Whereas, The present Levy Court
Commissioners were elected upon dis
tlnct public promises and pledges TO
conduct the affairs Of the county upon
a non-partisan basis, therefore, be II
Resolved BY the Levy Court, that
f, disapproves the action Of the county
engineer; tnat It regards IL as contra
dictOry OF the expressed will OF the
people Of Sussex county and opposed TO
their interests as citizens and taXpay-
G. s, and --- -tA
Resolved, Further to express the dis.
approval OF this Levy Court, which has
in mind the true principles Of county
overnment. that the said county engi-
ncer be requested 10 recall his said ap-
ntments, and in conformity with
he pledges upon which the Levy
Court was elected. TO appoint as road
supervisors, properly qualified persons,
without regard to faction or politics.
owing to the fact that there was no
second to the resolution it was not
adopted.
Seeing the objects in view Of Com
missioner Mustard. the Democratic
members. Aiessrs.- Holloway and Nalli-
ant. Immediately offered The following
resolution, which Was adopted
Whereas Levy Court Commissioner
William J. Mustard stated in a meeting
Of the Levy Court that his reason for
opposing some Of the appointments Of
supervisors Of roads was because some
Of them were no good, therefore be
It
Resolved, Mr. Mustard be, and IS
hereby respectfully requested to state
The names Of those appointed whom he
considers no good, this information
being asked so the Levy Court may
notify the engineer accordingly, and
unless said engineer can show cause
to the contrary then theaLevy Court
Will consider formally recommending
the dismissal OF supervisors who are
no good
This resolution was passed at the
meeting on last Tuesday by the two
Democratic members and on Wednes-
day Commissioner Holloway offered a
subsequent resolution, which reads as
follows:
Whereas. w. z. Hawkins, county
engineer. at the regular meeting Of the
Levy Court reported in writing to the
Levy Court the names and add, ,esses, as
by law required, list Of fifteen road
supervisors appointed by him out Of
twenty, which he is by law authorized
10 appoint. and
Whereas, William J. Mustard, one
Of the members Of the Levy Court, i'm
mediatelv after said report was re-
ceived and entered on the minutes, Of
fered a resolution condemning the ap-
pointments as made by said engineer
3s unit and detrimental 10 the interests
Of the citizens and taxpayers Of Sussex
county. and
Whereas. While Mr. Mustard, in his
resolution did not specifically point out
the undtness Of any OF the appointees
Of said engineer to perform the duties
OF road supervisors yet in his COM
ments upon said appointments made
the general statements that some Of the
lppointees were no good, therefore,
be il
Resolved. That while the Levy Court
recognizes that the law does not vest
10 this body the right TO question cr
disapproye, IN any way, any appoint
ment or road supervisors, made by the
County Engineer, but places the entire
authority and responsibility upon the
engineer, yet in view OF the language Of
Mr.. Mustards resolution in judging the
motive ~ said engineer In making said
appointments. the said ". E. Hawkins
County Engineer, is hereby requested to
'xplain fully 90 the Levy Court the no.
tives governing him in selecting the
supervisors so appointed by him.
Democrats claim that Commissioners
Mustard Is being prompted by some OF
the county politicians. Mr. Mustard
probably will seek the nomination this
fan for the six-year-term The action
over the appointment OF supervisors is
having the effect Of stimulating Repub-
licans throushout the county 10 greater
efforts TO get toge her on a harmony
program that win carry the county
Mans Republicans feel that their
party should have been given more
road supervisors when the appoint
ments were made.
County Engineer Hawkins on Tues
DAYS in q communication addressed to
the body gave his motives for the ap-
poiniments The letter follows.
Georgetown. Del, Feb. ., 1918.
Levy Court Commission,
Building.
Gentlemen AT the regular meeting
Of the Levy Court on the Goth ultimo
submitted a list OF IS road super
visors appointed by me for this county
whereupon one of the members Of the
Levy Court submitted a resolution
charging that said appointments were
political and partisan" and that my