Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1918-12-09
e,rsn'as''9 Gvsn,ns saturday ausz 13OO4
MONDAY, DECEMBER 9,
Is Sussex to Be Ripped Up 2

In it's current issue, the Union Re
publican of Georgetown, newspaper sup
posed 10 be of "sone consequence II
view of the recent victory of tho New Dis
pensation" of the Republican party al thc
State election. gives editorial coDsIdera-
tion to matters of legislation at the com
ing session of the Legislature. And that
is q subject in which all our people are
interested.
First of all the Union Republican says
the coming session OF the Legislature
should be a business session, and so say
we all of us. But how il may resolve into a
business session if the members adhere
to the pernicious system of recent years
of going TO Dover each morning and hurry
ing back home each afternoon, is one Of
those things no fellow can find out. If
there shall be no reform In this respect,
how NAV We expect reform in other re-
spccts, especially In thorough attention
to sound matters of legislation?
Also, the Union Republican urges a
reduction OF the expenses OF State govern
ment, which always Is advisable, pro-
vided it is not carried to the extent OF
penuriousness that Will reduce the capacity
and extent OF public service. Certainly
in this line, attention may well be paid
10 the recommendation that the Legis-
lature set its face against the employ
ment OF q lot of party hacks and political
workers in legislative positions for which
there is not the slightest public use, mere
H. for the purpose of making the State pay
for their services to the party.
The mon Republican also recommends
that the salaries of the judges Of our courts
and OF the attorney-general ''be fixed at
sum commensurate with the dignity OF
the Offices and the labors incident to
them To this suggestion there can be no
reasonable objection. 'lt Is a crying
shame" says our Sussex contemporary,
THAT the judiciary OF the State should be
compelled TO devote the best years Of
their lives TO the service OF the public, and
in passing upon the very highest OF all
public services, st compensation which
permits them indeed to live, but does not |
enable them TO save even q psttance for
their declining years"
This Is a matter to which Every Even
ing has referred frequently In the past
We have shown how some Of the court
house offices in New Castle county, under
the old and evil fee system, earned higher
compensation than was awarded to the
chief Justice Of our State courts This
should not be. Our judges should be
allowed at least decent salaries, and this is
one matter that the next Legislature should
give attention to Because our judges con
sent 70 serve for small compensation Is no
reason why our people should exact this
sacrifice from them
But, after sound and logical reference TO |
these public matters, the Union Repub- |
Iican comes down TO the consideration OF
local subject that IS vastly different, and IN
tion with the successful New DISPENSE |
ton of the Republican party. il may be |
presumed 70 have some potent influence |
"a question which concerns Sussex coun- |
tv, it says, rs the Levy Court Ii IS
generally felt that the Democratic Levy |
Court has failed To keep IT'S promises and |
pledges, by which promises and pledges, /
Republican county elected a Democratic |!
Levy Court. The present Levy Court, |
under the domination Of Mr. Valiant |
aas beeo partisan 10 an extreme: has been |
has played politics IN season
md out, and has had no regard for the |
,nbifc interests or pubic demands There |
,as BEEN aroused feeling that change /
bould be made How extended that de-
IRE is, and the reasons underlying the
lessire. are matters for careful oonsIdcra-
ion
There Is not the slightest mystery in
be feeling thus expressed IN this closing
,ortion Of really admirable editorial in
eferenee 20 legislation by the coming ses-
ion Of the Legislature. 1t is merely the
Hpression Of 8 desire To have the local
OF Sussex county ripped
% and overthrown Two years ago last
,ovember, the people Of Sussex county,
isgisted With long reign of extravagent
nd incompetent Republican partisan ad-
sought relief under d law
assed by the Legislature which enabled |
hem To elect q business Levy Court This
hey did, and they got good results from it,
hey had a better administration OF
ounty affairs A better system Of assess
icDt and tax collection. Better methods Of
ttending 10 the county affairs and meet
~ the expenses thereof
But, the election Of last November,
wing largely, u IS sad, TO the LAVISH use Of
'osey IL buying votes, resulted in
artisan Republican vic.ory il Sussex
,unty, and, following this verdict, this