Delaware state journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1870-1883, 1873-01-11
COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS.
Removal Of the Court House to Whining
ton-DivisiOn OF the County Proposed.


motion Of Mr.. Quinn, MIR. Quigley was
called to the Chair. Immediately after
roll call, the Mayor entered and took the |
seat TO the right Of the President pro ten.
Mayor Simms said Mr.. President and |
Gentlemen By vlltue Of power vested iu |
me by the City Charter, have called for
this evening, a special meeting of Council |
for the purpose of considering waat steps |
the ~ should take looking 10 TIE locating |
Of q county court house and offices IN
Wilmington.
When we consider the present popula
tioa Of our city, perhaps 10000, the large
ard extensive business Interests now car
ried on within Its corporate limits, while
three. iOurths, perhaps, Of all the business
prosecuted In those courts and offices 10
now from our city, there seems no good
reason shy tbs change shOu Il not b.
made. 1t Is not surprising, under the cir
cumstances, that the citizens generally,
aud the business men In particular, have
In the meantime adopted some plan by
which the difficulties and delays now
experienced would be avoided. Aud while
the people are SO deeply interested, the
memb.is Of the Bar are no less desirous OF
its success. They are ready, | believe,
and willing to cooperate with this Council
in any work having this object 10 view.
They have held one or more MEETINGS ind
discussed the subject, aud have deputed,
believe, a distinguished member OF the
prof ssion-S Senator 7. F. Bayard-who,
II desired, will explain to Council their
views, and why, In their judgment, the
change should be made.
MIR. Febiger-l believe there Is COM
mltee appointed by the Bar to meet this
Council and represent their views.
l I.srr hn fruffat1 In tho % gNute
within the bar and, l will vacate mine.
| also move that the City Solicitor be
deputed TO introduce them. There is also
a committee of the Board of Trade, and
move they also be invited. Mr.. Febiger's
motions were agreed &c. On motion.
written or verbal communications were
then IN order.
Hon. 4. F. Bayard, bling called on,
/ sad | have no set remarks To make.
/ What was at first reasonable proposition
| has become almost a necessity. take II
/ for granted that in Wilmington there is
something approaching unanimity on the
subject Of having the coua'y seat here.
Two thirds Of the entire population OF the
county is in the northern part. We have
only to meet the objections Of our fell ~
citizens south Of Wilmington, embracing
the six lower hundreds. The superior
buildings, on account OF Its central posi-
ton Is admitted. The objection always
made, has been the increase OF taxation
There is also certain undehnable but
very positive jealousy on the part Of the
rural population against the urban popu-
lation.
If Wilmington were made county seat
business and trade would Increase many
would become acquainted with the city
who otherwise would not time aud eX-
pense would be saved to ali classes OF citi-
zens. 1t is II question whether or not the
court house at New Castle has cramped
the energies OF that town. but IN Will
mington's case there is the difference that
the town has grown beyond that point
when the presence Of court house VIII
make idlers. Now, Wilmington is able t.
hold her own against Philadelphia and
Baltimore which have always until within
} few Years past, subtracted fiom us q
/ great deal OF trade that naturally and
: properly belonged to our pcop'e. We are
} now making cur own market aud we to Il
certain extent become our own customers
together with others. The question IL
how to get tie county buildings here. Il
, We could only overcome the Jealousy per
! haps, of our rural neighbors aud the feel
! ing OF dislike--a very natural one, at th,
increased expense falling on their part o
Q the county, The gentlemen of Council are {,
! a great extent, guardians OF the welfare o
I the citizens of Wilmington. They are tn
legi. lature of our town. The great question
that has affected the committee OF which
D am u member, Is whether we can pr1cti
e cnlly commence this matter before the leg
10 ature, without the cooperation of Ciil
b Council. Some defuite proposition o.
b that point should be made to show tn
y people of the county at large that we an
e not disposed to enrich ourselves at thei
T. exercise; but disposed to assume GU
o share, or more, Of the primary expense o
y this move. Wilmington would pay two
e thirds Of Il. There should be Il dehnit
'- proposition made hy City Council, ench n
c the tender OF site for these new Ouildlngi
to be free, with its Improvements, ir0i
+ city tax-whlch perhaps the legislator
IL would have power to provide by amtndin
y the CITY Charter, but which think shoul
$ come more properly form the city, so tina
b TN Sc buildings would be free Of taxation
. and the sight an eligible one. | do NJ
presume 10 dictate this. Perhaps il wi
&c be well not to fix the site. The city Ia
r ptop-rty not far from this hall, very tlig
! Die, convenient a. d perfectly ample for I'll
l. county buildings. | might suggest plu
u of corporation in their construction, b
2 the city and county, and each respectivel
II have suitable offices in them.
o At present the city offices are seatterc
I and not baif the buildings occupied Al
-e suitable. Unless the proposition take
D. some definite shape, the project VIII re-u
81 as in years gone by. At present niue
Inconvenience is experienced aud time 10y
In searching records az New Castle. tn
change would be great saving TO cliei
10 Ira he ppf1sfnmit " q
n, comfort advantages and benefit to fall
OF the whole community from this propose
he change We think the City Council Il,
10 not only the Authority but That the Gee
~ sion demands from them prompt, iber'
y aud vigorous action towards this eud, az
be believe that if a spirit Of wise llheralty
nd exhibited by the City Council in the tend
nd of an eligible site not only co operate
On Of city and county in the Crt elton of q
buildings, which will diminish the COS
but further aid of ptcuniary natu
would be given the enterprise.
AZ | believe there is scarcely y busine
n mau In the cily who would not he pleas
." with the removal In order to make
ny efficient il must take definite shap
ne Mere approval of resolutions iavOriug
ne will amount to nothing. There must
sc IL definite proposition which means bu
OF ness, to show the people of the coun
ne that we have valuable lahG belonging
OF the city that would sell in the market
large sums which would he given.
ny believe our merchants, manufacturer n
H. ship builders would do a wise thing
IT. morrow if they were to incorporate the
.ui selves by an act of the Legislature into
ne County Building Association and put
~, the buildings aud rent to the county,
M eve3 rive them free OF rent.
lh' | he. eve their returns would he large
ot' the increase Of property and bnsinr
Id, The county buildings have been present
Ine AS 1 nui,ance-they are incommodiol
OIL If the county buildings are moved here
TAT buildings at New Castle can be convert
INTO rpformatory school house for ju
,ht nile criminals. The creation Of the thl
der upper hundreds and Wilmington int
ny fourth county is suggested. This wo
ne require legislative enactment. IL wol
'ht rive an Increase of the approximation
ere much desired by many who think they
MA greatly neglected 10 representation Ia
Legislature.
If the division of the county VIII bfl
to Wilmington the buildings aud mi
the cily the county scat, shall certai
- favor il. | think the division of
county wise act. We have in Wllmi
- ton, population for IL county. think
b City Council must lead the way in
few question before us.
be VIM. s. McCaulley, Esq.;-l sugl
ne the Fropriely of resolution Of tins Cd
lot acter, that the city of Wilmington her
invite the removal of the county sea