Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1922-04-20


reasons. and should sentiment be
assessed?
And so the argument with him.
self goes on: a dozen different argu-
ments each for a dozen different
cases. II he gives in TO the tempta-
ton and returns an amount lower
than he would have said his prop
erty was worth II its assessment
was not under consideration. he and
the state have both lost something.
He has lowered his standard OF
civic duty. His civic conscience
will be less sensitive IN other mat
tiers as well.
III he does not give in TO the
temptation, but returns the higher
valuation, he is curious to find out
how his neighbors and others have
withstood the temptation. He be-
comes suspicious. He finds out that
other men have returned a lower
amount than he thinks they should.
His confidence IN human nature has
received a shock.
since this law went into effect,
have heard the character OF men
questioned q believe unjustly) in
Kent and Sussex counties who be-
fore were held IN universal esteem.
This is a heavy price to pay for such
a law. and am convinced that the
general good calls for the repeal OF
these personal valuation provisions.
THE question of the single tax
collector. the county receiver OF
taxes. or the several district col
lectors. is a mooted one. We have
not vet had time to test It out in
Kent. But l am inclined to think
that this matter of tax collection is
one for which the Levy Court itself
is principally responsible. II the
condition OF the collectors bond Is
made to cover the collection OF all
taxes that are not allowed as errors
or delinauents by the Levy Court,
and II the Levy Court Is careful 10
mako no allowance that ia not JUS
titled. there Is no reason why there
should not be prompt and full col
lection under either system. or
course the collector or collectors
should be elected by the Levy Court
and reelection should be forbidden
where there has been any delay or
default.
} AS to the salaries. That is not
an easy question. salaried offices
) are always potential political plums.
The larger the pay. the finer the
MUM. II may be a curious fact
that improving the pay does not
; mean improving the official
II think It is pretty safe to as
sumo that the man who wants the
place for the pay is not the man we
want for Levy Courtman. l cannot
sneak authoritatively for New Cas-
tie county. but for Kent can say
, that there are scores of capable bus
mess men who could perform the
duties of member of the Levy
, Court without an undue sacrifice OF
their private affairs. Those are just
tho men we need to administer our
" county government. No capable mar
q IS going TO give up his own business
d, Ito sit in the Levy Court, even II th'
salary be several thousands a year
u When, therefore, Il Ia stated ina
y the salary should be large enough
" 10 nav a man for sacrificing his bus
'i mess. the real purpose is to secur
a more attractive political job. Tn
Vs. nav should not be based on Who'll
s. time or on supposed business sacrl
rs fees. but merely on a reasonabl
* compensation for public service rem
"a dered by business men while sti
De maintaining their own business.
nj Il come now to the final phase
IN the problem. II IS more importar
l than All the rest combined. How
Is get the most competent men as Lev
I'd court Commissioners. No syster
'r can rise above the character an
n quality OF the men who administe
* il.
st ANY study Of government is e'
1t sentially a study I'm human nature
a ANY political system that Is M
It based on the particular character
" istics OF the people over whom II
As In operate r. foredoomed to failur
Il That Is the danger OF being 70
g easily Influenced by the results
other communities whose people al
Pc unlike our own. Broadly speaking
Of human nature is the same In a
be ATTITUDES and all ages, but this
l. with respect TO the elemental pa
d. slons. Built upon those passions al
~ 1unum eIAnlt uAiAtl 'AAeNo a." 1891
j. and feeling, in outlook and in az
Il, ton. When the depths are stirre
N the barriers OF locality and Of rae
NJ itself are swept away. During III
,e great war. the boundary lines Of nj
4 lions grew faint and fainter, bi
NJ nov that the stress has past, the
q reappear more marked and en-
D. phatic.
o. Before National issues. Amer
m cans are one people; but befoi
10 local issues. they may be as differeI
~ as the geography Of the differei
Is States.
10 "Our problem is. then, to consid'
10 first the peculiar strength and n
NJ peculiar weakness OF the averag
is American citizen; and next n
he strength and weakness as a Del'
is warean. I am inclined 10 think th'
mt tho particular political defect in n
I'VE American character is to be tolerai
es. OF the tendency TO look upon publ
md office as the spois Of party victor
,on Does any good business man dow
cry In his heart believe that the natio
ide or the State or the country Is G
nciently administered mea
M. after making all due allowance (
- a the undoubted difference betwe
, - the handling OF private and pub
nv affairs.
- Il doubt II there Is a man IN q
- room who does not truly bell,
- that any one Of the three count
in this State could be run Ear M