Evening journal., 1918-09-03
Spirit of the
DeImdrUid Press
SUSSEX AND IFS TAXES

From the Milford Chronicle.
We want to be fair in all things, and
especially do we want TO be correct
in any statement which is made
through the columns Of the Milford
Chronicle. Our attention has been call
ed TO the reading OF an editorial in
last weeks issue, which blamed the
Levy Court Of Sussex county for the
shortcomings OF the Receiver OF Taxes,
by reason OF failure 10 discharge the
duties OF his ONCE according 10 the
laws as laid down clearly in the stat
utes OF Delaware. The Receiver OF
Taxes Of Sussex county is a Republic
can, but that has nothing to do with
the fact that the law as made and pre-
scribed for the administration OF the
office Of Receiver Of Taxes in and for
Sussex county have not been compiled
with. There is no excuse for failure 10
conduct the ONCE according TO the
methods prescribed by statute law,
and for that reason the structures
which we last week laid Inadvertently
at the door OF the Levy Court OF Sus-
sex county, should have been directed
at the Receiver Of Taxes, or those who
are administering the duties OF that Of
nee. The law clearly prescribes the
method for conducting the ONCE, and
especially in the manner in which
public notices shall be given OF the
time and places for sitting TO receive
taxes in the various districts. 10 clear
ly states that a certain number OF sit
tlngs shall be made al certain times.
and due notice Of these sittings shall
be given by advertisement and also
by posters. This the Receiver Of Taxes
has failed 10 do, and the people OF
Sussex county, as we'll as those who
reside elsewhere, but who own proper
" in Sussex county, have a right TO
demand that the law be compiled with.
The Office OF Receiver OF Taxes, as ad
ministered under the new laws by Mr..
V0lley Murray, who organized and in
stituted the new system 20 the great
satisfaction ef the people, worked well
for everybody and proved 10 be a great
economic system, as well as a good
business. proposition. His successor
has not given the time or consldera-
ti0n 10 its administration which Mr..
Murray did. but delegates TO clerks and
tInplONtS the Dusluteo dudlie MulIA
are close TO all the people. The laws
are plain, and need no explanation as
10 what shall be done and how II is
10 be accomplished. In this matter
we regret that the Levy Court was
held responsible for an error, or lack
OF proper discharge OF a public duty
imposed by law on a public servant,
and want it understood. that in this
particular affair, the members Of the
Levy Court are in no way 10 be blamed.
Just why men elected to a public Of
fee should permit any discrepancy in
the discharge OF the duties OF the ofilce,
we cannot understand. 70 is either that
they do not realize that they are only
public servants OF the people. or that
they fail 20 understand. and do not use
diligence in trying 20 ascertain what
the duties OF the position are, and their
responsibilities 70 the people. Every
man elected 10 offlce who fails TO de-
liver a clean business administration
Of that oflce. injuries civil government.
and IS a load upon the party with
which he Is aflliaied. Just how to get
al officials Of this class TO compel them
70 give good service, is a problem.
which IN all probability VIII have TO be
worked out through the legislature.