Milford chronicle., 1922-03-24
REPORT OF COMMITTEE
ON COUNTY AFFAIRS

We. the undersigned, appointed by the
Republican County Committee, to report
upon certain charges contained in a res
olution presented to said committee on
February fourteenth, 1922, rejecting upon
the management of the county affairs
nv the Levy Court of Sussex County, beg
to say:
That the resolution in question as pre-
sented- to said committee contained GER
tain charges. First, that the Levy Court
had violated the law relating to the
County Engineer by appointing per-
son to said office who was not quail1eo
under the law. Second, that the person
so appointed was in general, inefficient
wasteful and eXtravagant of the county
money. In addition to these direct
charges there was the indirect charge
that the Levy Court of Sussex county
(or the Republican majority thereofO
was careless and wasteful of the public
funds.
As these charges were serious retiec-
tions upon the Republican party OF Sus-
sex County, directed against the Repupn-
can majority of the Levy Court it SEEM
ed not only proper, but just, to notify
formally the Republican members Oh the
Lew Court thereof, and to afford the
gentlemen who presented the resolution
in question, an opportunity to substan-
tate said charges; and, at the same
time, to afford like opportunity TO
said members of the Levy Court to make
explanation in respect to them.
Accordingly, the committee adjourned
to meet on February twenty-eighth, 1877
at which time there were present the
gentlemen who had presented the reso-
luton in question, and the Republican
members of the Levy Court, Mr.. Book
hammer and Mr.. Lingo.
Both Mr.. Bookhammer and Mr.. Lingo
exnressed their willingness to have the
committee, or anyone interested, to ask
anv question, or make any statement
With respect to the said resolution.
10th Mr. BoolShammer and Mr.. Lingo
explained that they had not consciously
violated the law relating to the county
Engineer. They asserted that it had been
found to be impossible to obtain the ser
vices of a person to act as engineer VINO
was qualified under the law that is,
graduate of a reputable engineering
school. and who had at least two years
experience in practical road building at
the salary of $1,000, as fixed by law; tnaI
thew had tried to obtain such person ana
had failed; that it was necessary TO nave
someone as the head of the road work IN
sussex County; that upon recommended
tion of the State Engineering Depart
noent they first selected John Kitchens
who was in every way qualified by ex-
perience to take charge of the road WORK
in Sussex County; but, who had not the
qualifications imposed by the statute;
that they did not appoint Mr.. Hltchens
as County Engineer, nor for the Iour
year term as required by law, but ap-
pointed him in the capacity of acting en-
eineer: that Mr. Kitchens did act IN
such capacity. for some time without
conoplaint. and without any question pe-
ing raised by the gentlemen who pre-
sented the resolutions, or anyone else' as
to his legal status; that when Mr.. HIT
cbens accepted another position, they,
likewise upon the recommendation Oh
the State Engineering Department Sc
lected Robert c. Hill, Jr, who was rec
commended to be qualified to take charge
of the road work of Sussex County; put,
who had not the qualifications imposed
nv the statute; that, as in the case OF
Mr.. Kitchens, Mr.. Hill was not appoint
ed County Engineer, for the stated term
of four years, or for the residue OF a
term of four years, but was appointed TO
act in the capacity of County Engineer
In so doing they were advised, and oe-
reved. that they had the legal rlgnt y
o