Delaware State journal and statesman., 1866-12-25
nEmovAL OF THE oounrs.


For several years past the subject of the
removal of the Courts from New Castle to
this city, has been prominent theme of
discussion. Repeatedly the Grand Jury,
composed of gentlemen representing all
parts of the County, have presented the
Court House as a nuisance, and unsuited
as place for the dispensstion OF equity and
justice. At the last session OF the Court
this matter was again brought to the ntten-
tion of the authorities IN a more decided
manner, by the Grand Jury in their report,
and by series of resolutions by the Petit
Jury, which we give below, which were
directed TO be entered on the records of the
Court and transmitted to the General As
Rembly at its next session. This movement
on the part of the Grand Jury has been
seconded by the Bench and Bar of New
Castle County, who held q meeting in the
United States Court Room on Wednesday
last, and appointed committee to draft u
memorial to the Legislature, in favor of the
removal of the Courts, and to prepare an
Act of Assembly authorizing the same 1t
remains for the public generally TO give
expression TO their sentiments on this impor-
tant subject, which we trust will be done at
an carly day, both by public meetings and
petition.
The present Court House is totally made
quate TO the wants Of the large number
having business with the Courts. 1t is badly
ventilated and consequently injurious to
the public health. The capacity of the
hotels is not equal to that which could be
afforded in city like Wilmington, and as n
necessity jurymen, liligants and witnesses
are compelled to return home each evening,
or submit to accommodations which are
anything but agreeable. This renders their
attendance at Court q most expensive bust.
ness, and is detrimental to the ends of Jus
tice. At best it is anything but pleasant to
be summoned as a witness, and persons are
liable 10 use efforts to avoid 1t, but still more
so when they are aware that they will be
compelled to travel back and forth, perhaps
for days, from lack Of accommodations at
the seat of Justice.
The greater part OF the business before the
Courts and with the offices at New Castle,
comes from north of the Christiana River,
and if there was no other reason, this alone
should be sufficient to induce the General
Assembly to pass an act authorizing the
removal of the Courts. There was u time
when such removal would have put large
portion of the people living in the lowel
part Of the County to much Inconvenience
and unnecessary expense, but now that WI
have railroad traversing the whole County
such IS not the case, and the people living
below New Castle would nOto prefer to CONT
to Wilmington, because of the better clas
and cheaper accommodations offered then
here.
We rejoice that all men are uniting in thi
movement without regard to party, and ar
earnestly working to secure the accomplish
ment of the object The Bench, the Ba
and Juries have spoken in its favor; nov
; let the people, with equal unanimity an,
, decision, utter their voice in favor of tn
REMOVAL OF THE COURTS TO WILMINGTON
The following are the resolutions reierre,
to:
WHEREAS, The members of the Peti
Jury of the Superior Court and Court q
General Sessions of the Peace for New Gas
tie County, at the November Term, A. D..
1866, having been required to attend upol
the Court at New Castle, have found tn
present Court House to be so badly construct
ell and ventilated, as to produce foul, disa
greeable and unwholesome atmosphere, with
out any accommodations for the Jury Will
they arc not engaged in trials, and so small
as to be frequently crowded and almos
intolerable to the Judges, members of tn
Bar, Jurors, parties, witnesses and all other
compelled to attend upon the Courts, and
, WHEREAS, The present Court House AM
County offices are situated at n place not tn
centre of business of the County, but incon
venent of access to q large portion of tn
County, thereby greatly impeding the ad
, ministration of Justice, and causing mucl
trouble and expense to the Jurors, suitors
witnesses and public generally, in attendin
upon the Courts and transacting business a
the County offices:
| THEREFORE, BY the Jurors aforesai
being assembled at the close of the Novem
Der Term, be it
Resolved, That the present Court Hous
: is a common and public nuisance, and tina
r the necessary action should be taken at ono
for the building of new Court House an
County offices suitable for the wants of tn
! community.
Resoiced, That we recommend the build
G ing of new Court House and Count
i offices at the City of Wilmington, the centr
: of business, population and travel of th
County.
c Resolged, That the Preamble and Resolr
/ tions, signed by the Jurors afol esaid, be pre-
4 sented to the General Assembly at its comm
: session, and that copy of it be presente
to the Judges of the Superior Court now i
!. session.
/ (Signed)
. Martin Miller, Thomas Kinsey,