Smyrna times., 1953-03-05

February 2Sth, 1858.
The Smyrna Times
No. 25 West Commerce Street
Smyrna, Delaware.
Attention: Mr.. Kenneth D. Smith
My Dear Mr.. Smith:
In the issue of your newspaper
under the date of February 26th
1858, an article appeared under the
heading of'Wilson Attempts Bloch
On Stevenson for Alderman"
Since this news item was pub,
lished, and since much of the ref
erence contained therein relates tc
the Earl Ransom case, I feel it ex.
pedient that 1 should reply to the
several statements made. There.
fore, your considered kindness in
publishing this letter will be very
much appreciated.
"On January 26, 1858, Earl Levi
Ransom, Smyrna, Delaware, was
charged before me as Alderman
for the Town of Smyrna of violat-
ing Sec. 81 of the Motor Vehicle
Laws of Delaware; and Sec. 83 of
the Motor Vehicle Laws of Della
ware. Quoted From Motor We
hicle Laws of Delaware). Sec.
81, of the Motor Vehicle Laws of
Delaware, No person shall operate
a motor vehicle while under the in
fluence of Intoxicating liquor or of
any narcotic drugs. Any Justice
of the Peace of the State, shall
have the power and jurisdiction to
hear and determine the offense
created by this Section. Upon
conviction of any one for this Of
fense they shall be punished by a
fine of not less than One Hundred
Dollars ($100.OO nor more than
Five Hundred Dollars ($50000) or
by Imprisonment for term of
thirty 500 days, or both such fine
and Imprisonment" Quoted from
Motor Vehicle Laws of Delaware
'Sec. 83, of the Motor Vehicle
Laws Of Delaware. No person
shall drive any vehicle in wilful or
wanton disregard for the safety of
persons or property, and this Of
fense shall be known as reckless
driving. Upon conviction of any
one for this offense they shall be
punished by fine of not less than
Ten Dollars ($10.00) nor more
than One Hundred Dollars( 100000
or Imprisonment for not less than
ten (10) days nor more than thirty
(30) days, or both such fine and
Imprisonment; and for each SUBJ
sequent like offense shall be pun
ished by a fine of not less than
Fifty Dollars ($50.0O) nor more
than Two Hundred Dollars
($200.00). The law further states
that for a second offense within
twelve (12) months; shall be fined
not less than Fifty Dollars ($50.00J
nor more than Two Hundred Dol
lars ($20000).
My Basis for Action Under Section
81.
The defendant Earl Levi Ran
som was charged by the officer
with Sec. 81; of the Motor Vehicle
Laws of Delaware. The defendant
entered Plea of Guilty. I sent
enced the defendant to pay a fine
of One Hundred and Ten Dollars
(S110.00) and cost Three Dollars
and Fifty Cents ($3.50) or thirty
(30) days in the Kent County Jail
in default of fine and cost.
MY Basis for Action Under Sec
tion 8S.
The defendant Earl Levi Ran
com was charged by the officer
with Sec. SO; of the Motor Vehicle
Laws of Delaware. This being his
second offense within twelve (12)
months, 1 imposed a fine of Fifty
Dollars (S50.00), or thirty (30)
days in the Kent County Jail in
default of fine and cost; which the
law says che cannot be fined less
than Fifty Dollars ($50.00). A
total of One Hundred and Sixty
Dollars ($1600O) fines, and costs
of Seven Dollars ($7.00), making
it One Hundred and Sixty-Seven
Dollars ($167.00), or total of
sixty (60) days in Kent County
Jail.
Further: And I again quote:-
Duties and Powers of Alderman" !"
This being my opinion, together
with several outstanding attorn-