Delaware State journal and statesman. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1855-1870, 1861-07-23

lcommunlcstedl
The Finances and Guns Again.

Mr.. EDIrORs-
In wiring my former commu-
nication, did not expect to get inio n newspa-
per controversy, but as =" A Citizen" has replied
ina My reiteralug his former statement Of facts.
it Incomes necessary for me again to nsk the
privilege, through your Journal, OF noticing his
second communicating, That "a Citizen
should so fsr condescend, as TO notice oommu
nicntion that, in his opinion, is unworthy Of It,
must have been for some good reason, otherwise
be would not have done so. Does "a Citizen"
hold such position in society, that his mere
word must pass unquestionedY | think not ;
and for that reason aud knowledge Of some of
the iacis 10 the case; and being satisfied as to
the author OF the article-lelt entire liberty 10
criticisng it.
7 1t uppears that "a Citizen relies upon news
papers for proof, to substaniiate his facts. Now
would say, for the benefit OF a. Citizen" that
all that appears in newspapers is not niallible;
they may and sometimes do publish other than
reliable information, especially the Que In which
his communications made their appearance -
The odium he says he will have 10 bear, for no
tieng the article, hope will work him no scri-
Gus harm, and that he will be able TO bear il
with meekness lie certainly must have ignored
bis past history, when he wrote that Now,
Citizen, that will not do, if you are so dignifed
you would not make so much noise about it. II
is those VINO have the least TO lose that make the
most noise about losing that little.
"If S. he an honorable man, think he
will hereafter admit 6" my facts In case he
should not, will merely add, by way Of parcn-
thesis, that he can get my name aud any further
| satisfaction he may desire, by calling for the
former upon either the journal or Gazette. -
Certainly admit facts when they are taets, but
there is our difficulty. contend his are not all
facts, be has not proved them to I've such Honor,
! speak not of myself that leave to my fellow
citizens. His uame--it was not necessary to
refer ne TO the journal or Gazette for that
was entirely satisfied az to his identity before
he got the editor Of the Gazette to puff him in
his editorial Saislaciion--if by that az A
Citizen" means pistols and ten PAGES. would
say, that am not anxious to become murderer
or suffer him to become one. That Is relic uf
barbarsm 10 which do not subscribe it is the
argument of the braggari, when all else fails he
resorts TO his pocket or the pistol.
"a Citizen" in his communication of the
18th inst, does not claim, in his former arti-
Gle, that the Financial Committee made a report
some weeks ago, but admits that an individual
member OF that committee made q verbal state
mcnt OF the number of arms purchased, &c, and
amount of money expended up to that tim,
(Aprl 2Gth,) which might have been correct
and no doubt at the time, he believed was, bu
from report made by the Finance Committee
July llth, il appears that it was not so in nj
|
on the subject by the committee. therefore
still say, that the committee had not at tina
time or previous to July llih, made any sucl
report. " A Cit ecu" has had experience enough
in legislative bodies to know, that au' individun
member Of committee cannot on his own re
sponsblity, make statement that would b.
accepted as q report from his committee
, A Citizen seems to he of the opinion tina
the whole amount of $4,000 has been expended
in Wav mr. nunthar Nnu from tvbof inf
: nation have been able to obtain on the subject
l have arrived at a different conclusion. II M
pears from report made by the Finance Com
mittee, July llth, in the Clerks office, aud Il
5 which would refer - A Citizen" that an ordo
t for 81, 900 was drawn to pay for arms, &c, bu
2 was not all expended. there was q balance o
3 S296 10 left. From another report mnde b,
the same committee, same date, also in tn
Clerks Office, to which would refer ga Cit
7 zen" he will find accounted for $500 which wa
c drawn for clothing Nc, for Home Guards -
{ This amount was drawn in two ORDERS one o
G 5000, and the other Of 5000, and was not nj
expended, balance being left of $432 Al -
. From another report, made by same committee
# same date, also in the Clerks office, and t
which | would refer "A Citizen" hc will Their
l. find accounted for the expenses of the Commissa
- ry Department, which have considerably nvcrrui
the estimated expenses the excess being 81 73 "a
ln referring to these reports il will he seen ih
number of articles purchased the kind and pric
paid per piece. 1 understand that there ba
been more of this money expended than thu
amount of those reports, but not under the super
vision of the Finance Committee, aud that Their
is still balance left, which have no doubt will
be account for in good time have that con
iidenoe in the Council. The commissary depart
ment is the only one that has exceeded the esti.
mate, and to which there can be any serious
objection. That, think, owing the exiraordin.
airy circumstances under which the City was
placed, will he approved by the citizens generally
have bat little more to say about those guns
"a Citizen" has come down from one half thai
were not fit to use, to less than one half, forty
he says are considered fair rohbing stock. Ia
another communication think "a Citizen" will
get near the mark. | am not acquainted with
any of the members of the Home Guard whose
names he gives no doubt but they are good
men receive my information also from mem
bers Of tie Home Guard who are reliable and
whose VOID would not doubt.
Thanking you, MIR. Editor, for the courtesy
extended TO me in replying 10 "a Citizen" /
will now leave the subject in bis hands with the
request that when lie annihilates me according
to promise Il cannot say whether bodily or howl
he will drop me a note to that effect SO that
may know he has accomplished his object.
July -, 1861 S.
ssaee