Delaware state journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1870-1883, 1873-05-17

Wilmington the Bast winter Port
for PhilRdelphta's New Oeeen
Steamers.
We print elsewhere in to days issue an |
editorial from the Chester Rpuoliear
fofcibly urging the advantages OF that
port and commencing 1t to the careful |
attention Of those interested in the new |
steamship line from Philadelphia as the |
best winter port for their steamers. The
consideration urged by our nelghbor,
Chester's closer proximity to Pblladei
phia, is undoubtedly an important one, u
the convenience of the Philadelphia mer-
chants were alone to be consulted, but II
must be remembered that the new line
Of steamers is expected 70 bring freight
and Immigrants for transportation 70 the
West, and in this latter particular Dclp-
ware City would have greatly the advant
age over Chester on account Of Its direct
connection (vla the new Pennsylvania q
Delaware R. r. with the Pennsylvania
R. R. at a point over forty miles west Of
Philadelphia.
This Is a consideration which ths par
ties interested cannot afford 10 lose sight
OF, aud the practical question for them to
decide in locating the winter port of the
new line is, how can they best compromise
these somewhat conflicting demands !
To US the answer to this question seems
so simple and Obvious that no man with
map before him would hesitate a mo-
ment. Wilmington Is but fourteen miles
further from Philadelphia than Chester,
difference Of no great practical impor-
lance, and Is nearer to Pomeroy than
Delaware City over the same railroad,
Except the nineteen miles Of Wilmington
q Western, which the Pennsylvania
Company can control az readily as the
lower route.) Its other advantages are
immense. 1t is q great manufacturing
sentre, and aIspidly growing commercia
city which would contribute directly tC
the business Of The new line. II has al
independent railrosd line to the coal sDC
iFon regions, the rival, to some extent, o.
one of the great antagonists Of the Penn
sylvania Central. Il las the most exten
sive iron ship building and repair yardi
on this continent, and has harbor which
never need be closed during the severes
weather.
We have no disposition to depreciate o
uudervalue the advantages of any othe
location, aud We firmly believe that
prosperous future lies before all th
towns on the Delaware River and Bay
but We cannot fail 10 point out the man
fest advantages Of our own city an
claim for lham that examination whic
will 90 further than any argument /
convincing any unparalleled observe
that this city, lying on the Delawar
with The Christians -unnlng through #
midst, with over twelve miles of VIVA
front within It's limits, with an enormou
manufacturing industry and a CROWN
commerce, with Independent connection
With the coal and iron regions, wit
direct correction with the Pennsylvan
Railroad, is the place above all others
which those laboriug TO restore 10
commerce to the Delaware River and B.
shou d look for a winter port for the
ocean lines.
Those interested In the matter a
chiefly Philadelphians, and will natural
and properly enough consider the matt
from their own standpoint and consI
their own Interests. We neither expe
nor wish them to do more. If the m,
chants, importers and railroad men
that great city will l4ok thls Horse-sh
difficulty fairly in the face, they will 1
that their own safe and the success
the great undertaking their courage a
enterpri' c has brought to so auspicou
beginning, demands tust they shall seci
viuter port for their steam
at some point below the ugly obstruct
which causes the winter blockade
their harbor. So concluding, they '
fud that they can secure such a p
here with greater advantage at less C
than elsewhere. They cannot IessonaI
entertain any Jealousy of city 50 mt
smaller than their own, while bro
and liberal spirit will enable them to
that the prosperity Of Wilmington C
not but contribute to the prosperity
Philadelphia. New York has not /
greatness BY the growth of Brooklyn
Jersey City, but has shared their pl
perlty and has become all the NOR
metropolis through being surroun
with cities.