Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1919-02-03
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 1919.
New Of;ees and Higher Salaries.

The Sussex Journal Of Georgetown ex-
presses the opinion that the members
of tho present Delaware Legislature,
with its Republican majority IN each
branch. think they are elected only Tor
one purpose, and that is to create new
offices and then raise the salaries OF all
the offices, both new and old I And IN
decd, there ss ample reason for this con-
ehre,on on the part Of our sussex con
temporary. The Legislature, provided
with ample official help, has already
created new offices, and has started up
on the work of increasing the salaries Of
existing offices.
The Sussex Journal mentions one
instance Of move to increase tho salary
Of ono Sussex county official, and also
10 provide him with a deputy. And II
asserts that this official knows nothing
about his office except that monthly
check is sent to his office in Laurel. while
the office stands farmed out TO an Official
tenant al so much per What the main
pure velvet" And vet II IS proposed
10 increase the salary Of this official and
then provide him with \ deputy.
The Sussex Journal also opposes, and
VIC believe rightcously, the proposition 10
appoint special constable 10 collect
tASes in Strsex county. This proposition
certainly seems like rubbing it in on
the taxpavers There is ample tax collec-
ton machinery IN S,rsscx county, and
vet collections lag. That 3 special CON
stable would acccllratc collection is
doubtful Certainly il would add to the
expense. Why should not Sussex county
emulate the example set by Kent county,
and with existing machinery not only
collect all the county taxes. but collect
earh wears tax levy during the tax year,
That would he much better than asking
for additional and expensive machinery
for the tax collections.
We thoroughly agree with the Sussex
journal il It's condemnation al these
propositions. which arc mere matters Of
financial favoritIsm 20 nc extended ~
certain officisls. as reward tor party
services, as no other reason can be adj
vanced FOR even suggesting them. But
we arc not In accord with its opposition
10 an increase in the salaries Of the at
tcrney-gencral and his deputies, and in
the salaries OF the Judges Of our courts
The attorncy-general Is very poorly paid
and 50 are hi> deputies, and he has press
ing need 81 an additional deputy.
.As to the compensation Of the Judiciary,
Is i stands Al present il is disgrace 70
the State. II Is no excuse for our delin-
quencv in this respect that We are able
TO find those who Will consent to serve
the people in judicial capacity for such
miserable compensation. We should re-
cognize both tie dignity and importance
Of their POSITIONS and compensate them
accordingly To do otherwise Is unworthy
And this injustice Is q matter that i
Intimately connected with the other
comments OF our Sussex contemporary
the creation OF useless new offices and the
increase OF salaries Of ordinary offcials
These part isan favors-ior that IS what
they are-cost money. nd the expen-
diture operates to interfere seriously with
the matter Of adequately rccompcDsing
our State Judiciary and the states
prosecuting officers, especially the form
er. Thus, this partisan favoritism works
positive injustice
Let the Legislature lock at this matter
fairly and honestly Let II set its face
sternly against the creation of unneces-
sary Offices for the benefit Of party work
ers Let il refrain from increasing the
compensation Of ordinary officials, al
ready well paid Then lei it give intelli-
gent attention to the matter Of providing
adequate salaries for our Judges. and
properly compensating the prosecuting
offs ers OF the State. Let it drop miserable
partisanship, and give sound business
attention TO this important and practical
matter