Smyrna times., 1919-02-19
SENATE BILL TO CHANGE
KENT COUNTY GOVERNMENT
SENATOR ALLEE'S MEASURE
wOULD ABOLISH LEVY COURT
Democrats Will Fight the Measure
Because Scheme For Commission
Would Put Republicans In Power.


Would Put Republicans In Power.
Citizens of Kent county, especially
Democrats, are stirred up over
hill presented in the Legislature, Mon
dav. (the last day upon which bills,
other than the general appropriation
hills &C., could be introduced) by SEN
ator Jim Alice, Republican, floor leader
which would abolish the present Kent
County Levy Court and create three
member commission government in its
stead Kent county is the only nor
mallv Democratic County in the State.
Senator Allee's bill would entirely
abolish the present Kent county levy
court, consisting of seven Democrats
and three Republicans, and establish
after 1920 a three-commissioner sys-
tenn, with the districts so arranged |
that the election of two of the three |
commissioners will undoubtedly be |
Republicans, which will perpetuate
themselves, inasmuch as the arrange |
ments of the districts make such a
thing practically assured. All of the
county officers at the present time are
Democrats and a majority of the
county government is Democratic. An
intimation that such bill would be
introduced at the present session was
mentioned some two weeks ago, but
Republican leaders of Kent county de-
clared that such would not be the case.
Republican leaders console the Demo-
Gratis by stating that the present levy
court will not be affected by the
change, as it will not go into effect
until January, 1921. Notwithstand-
ing this claim, five members of the
present court will be affected, as they
were elected last November for term
of four years and would necessarily
be legislated out of Office If the bill
passes taking effect 1921. Another
bill introduced by Senator Alice would
abolish the present system of collect
ing taxes and creates a receiver of
taxes to be appointed by the levy
court, and also abolish the system of
taxing and establishing board of as
sessment. Democrats, who resent be-
ing legislated out of office have voted
to check the move by holding up all
appropriation bills as the Republicans
will need their vote for three-fourth
majority.
Some Bills Affecting SmyrnaClaytOn
By Senator L. M. Price-Requiring
vehicles drawn by horses, mules, oxen
and other animals to carry lights at
night while travelling on the public
streets and highways of the state
By Senator Price-To reduce the num-
ber of Kent county grand jurors from
twenty-four to five, one from each
Senatorial district, to become effective
next year-By Senator Hollett-
Authorizing the town commissioner
of Clayton to borrow $4,000 and issue
bonds for an electric plant.-Mr. Lore
Providing for the construction o.
state highways through Incorporates
towns without expense to the towns
Mr.. Parker-AbOlishing the office o
state commissioner of education.-Ml
Parker-Amending the act relative t.
the appointment of the county schoo
cOmmissions.-By Mr.. Hardesty-
Providing that the term of the rura
schools in Kent county shall begin tn
first Monday in October and continu
for seven months.-By Representativ
Buckson-To authorize the sealer 0
weights and measures to test any gas
Ollne offered for sale in his county,
4 BY Senator Bennett, to standardiz
the price of gasoline in Delaware b
making a standard price throughoU
the State.
For $1,000 To Incorporated Towns.
BY Senator Bennett, repeating a
appropriations now made by the KeI
county Levy Court to towns in tn
county, and providing that the Lev
court shall appropriate the sum {
siOOO, which will be divided anon
tne towns according to their populi
uon and the mileage Of streets.-E
senator Allee-A Senate joint res
uton authorizing the creation of
commission to consist of the governo
president pro tempore of the Senat
speaker Of the House and six persol
Oe appointed by the governor,
arrange a reception for the Delawa
SOiolers upon their return fro
H rance, to be held on the Dover Gree
1u 70 have appropriate medals ma
susnaib bostucMrapabrance,F fityf
~ 'ne occasionally Senator Robel
HvA--io QhoIsoI.