Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1919-02-19
ROBERT M. BURNS,
COUNTY OFFICIAL,
TAKEN BY Death
Continued from page one.)


and lived in this city all his life. He was
graduated from the Wilmington High
School in the class of 1882, and a year
later was graduated from the Old In
stitutelp drawing. Following his grade
alton he took UP his work as a cabinet
maker.
In 1892 Mr.. Burns was elected a men,
Der al the State Legislature. Mr..
Burns was a member Of the Regular
Republican party, which was opposed to
the Addicks faction, and he fought the
Addicks faction strongly.
Two years later Mr.. Burns was
elected as County Treasurer and Re
ceiver Of Taxes for New Castle county,
an office which be held for sixteen
years, being reelected three times.
Later he was elected 10 the Levy Court,
being q member at the time Of his
death.
Surviving Mr.. Burns are his wife, his
son, Robert II. Burns, superintendent
and mechanical engineer at Carney's
Point, and his daughter. Mrs. Anna
Burns Baldwin, Of East Orange, N. j.
He Is also survived by five sisters, Mrs.
Sarah Borrell, Miss Emma Burns, Mrs
James Craig. Hrs. James II. Semple and
Mrs. Lydia Slocomb, all Of this city.
Another sister, Mrs. Edmund r. Patton.
is dead.
Mr. Burns was chairman Of the bridge
committee OF the Levy Court at the
time of his death, and had devoted a
great deal OF his time to having the
bridges under charge Of the court, re-
and repaired During the last
two years. he worked increasingly to
secure the building Of new bridges
across the Brandywine at Washington
and Market streets, being unsparing OF
his own strength In efforts which were
crowned with success shortly before
his death. The new bridges Will be
erected, and will be a lasting remem-
brance Of the man whose broad-minded
interest in public matters was instru-
mental in their erection. When the an
nual report OF the bridge committee was
read recently in Levy Court President
Isaac c. Elliott commended It TO the
court as the best report Of the sort
that he had ever heard, and showing
that the committee had accomplished
work worthy of high praise.
Out OF respect for Mr.. Burns, the
Levy Court, at its recent meeting. post
poned the election OF bridgetenders.
hoping thai he would recover and De
able to take part in the election. The
news OF his death came as a shock to
the members OF The Levy Court, and
they vo ced their sympathy for the be-
reaved family in expressions OF esteem
for Mr. Burns, and regret for his I'M
timely death
Article 3, Section 9. OF the Constitu-
ton OIL Delaware, empowers Governor
Townsend 10 appoint member OF
Levy Court to flll the unexpiTed term
Of a deceased member. 1t is not yet
known who the governor will appoint
30 succeed Mr.. Burns.
No man in the State was more widely
known than Robert VI. Burns. and he
was liked by all who knew him. He
was always ready 10 do a friendly act
Ii did not make any difference 10 his
kindly nature whether tho person
wanting a favor was rich. or poor,
white or black He was friendly with
all, and especially was he interested In
helping the poor Of the Eighth Ward
In rel.g Gus views. he was broad mind
ed and willing to see the good in Diff
ferent denominations.
One cause Of Mr.. Burns popularity
was his sense of humor. which made
his anecdotes In demand. Early In the
war. the deceased Levy Court member
encountered a Negro acquaintance. In
curing why the. colored man was not
at work, he learned that the man was
To go TO camn with q draft oantt,o~ox.4
the following day.
But they can't take you, with g wife
and children dependent upon you" ex-
postulated Mr.. Burns.
HUH Maybe they can't take me. but
they have. returned the colored man
Amt they took the Pennsylvania
railroad?"
The incident was told by Mr.. Burns,
and became q popular anecdote OF the
war.