Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-09-14
Ssnans'S. ESen,ns Yesterday l36U5
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER IA, 1920
Something to Think About.

The Levy Court of New Castle county
- been notoriously incompetent and e1-
ravaeAnt for these many years. 1t has
Dorcasod property assessments, raised the
- rate, and thus extracted large sums OF
npney from harassed taxpayers. And 1T
- expended tins money in manner that
n from satisfied the taxables as the prac-
.zL results of the expenditure now IN
oiew are very small. How the present
levy Court mismanaged county affairs II
ninfully evident m bad roads and espes
iAlly by thefailure to make arrangements
m traffic across the Brandywine during
ke construction of the new bridge at
Washington street. The community ID
sfTcring severely from this neglect.
The Office of county comptroller rs de-
ngncd to be q check upon the expendi-
cures Of the Levy Court. 1t is stu
pleasing memory how Philemma Chan-
6kr, during long service in this important
office. held firm check on Levy Court
extravagance, at one time exposing mall
rasances that had cost the county large
aims Of money. Also, he stood firmly
against contemplated raids ON the county
areasurv. He was Republican, and so
Swcre the Levy Courts he held IN check.
Frequently his vetoes Of extravagant
allowances were overruled, but he per-
sisted in his good work TO the end OF his
official service The present comptroller,
Mr. Clark, also has endeavored com
nendably TO check Levy Court eStrava-
Gance, but has been overruled.
Now, here is the problem for taxpayers
- think about: Judging by the experience
OF the past, what would the future bring
should Levy Court of the same calihre
as the present body be continued as one
Of the results of the next electon-which
ie altogether probable, SIS the election OF
only one Republican candidate out OF
-four is necessary to this end-and further
supported by county comptroller IN
thorough partisan sympathy with body
% constituted Would there likely
be such a check on the expenditures OF
she Levy Court as was so successfully
exercised in many instances by Comptrol-
Nrr Chandler, and so commercially exer-
-cised by Comptroller Clark occasionally
1t clearly apparent that sympathetic
rrounty comptroller would be most agree
able complement 10 q Levy Court anything
like the present or recent Levy Courts.
Such an official would not be likely to
.serutinize Levy Court allowances with an
eve single 10 the interests of the taxpayers.
Z No one can doubt this.
On the other hand, a county comptroller
~ith the interests of the people always IN |
view, could save the people of New Castle |
scounty thousands Of dollars annually. |
sEven extreme partisans in the Levy Court |
would hesitate TO override his veto OF
allowances that could not stand the light i
of honest and competent investigation.
The comptroller has large powers II per-
Hornance of his duties, having authority |
% summon witnesses and compel their /
attendance, together with books and
-papers.
Add to the combination Of congenial
county comptroller and profigate Levy
Court congenial associate in the Office Of
receiver Of taxes and county treasurer
and what would the situation be? Would
1t give assurance TO those who are now
westing under their burden of heavy taxa
Sion and inefficient, extravagsnt county
administration?
The Democratic candidate for county
oomptroller is John Nivin. The Demo-
cratic candidate for receiver of taxes and
county treasurer is John B. Morrow.
These men are capable, and could be erelied
upon to consider the interests of the public
6rst of all in the performance Of their
official duties.