Wilmington daily gazette., 1873-01-09
ThE couNTY couRTs.

ML. SAAAAy W cAlnng Mr. QWBle{ W sho SiiuI.
Mayor simms then arose and. stated that by
virtue Of authority vested in him by the City
Charter, he had called special meeting Of the
Council In order for that body to consider what
steps 1t might take towards securing the location
of the County Courts and Buildings In this city.
He stated that the members of the Bar Associa-
tion hadih meetings for the consideration OF
this subject, and had appointed a committee to
explain their views to Council, and why, in their
Judgment, the change should be made
On motion of Mr.. Febiger, the committee OF
the Bar Association and the Board of Trade Com.
mittee, were invited 10 seats on the floor Of the
Council chamber, and allowed to make any com
mnnicationthey might desire TO. a-"
Mr.. VIM. c. Spfuance stated that Mr.. Bayard
the chairman of the Bar Committee, would ex-
plain their views
Hon. Thos. F. Bayard then arose and spoke at
length upon the importance aud necessity of re-
moving the County Courts and Buildings to this
city He said that this subject had advanced from
q mere proposition to an actual necessity. Two
thirds of the population of New Castle county
living in. and north of Wilmington, desire the
change, so we have to meet the objections of the
remaining one-third, residing in the six lower
hundreds. All parties In this lower part of the
county with whom he had cOnvcrsed on the sub
ject, admitted the superiority of Wilmington as n
site for the County Buildings, but their objection
was the increase of taxation, which the expense
of this removal would produce.
But the great advantage of such Il change to
our city cannot be over estimated. Business
would be made more convenient for persons from
all parts of the county attending court, and n
largely increased amount of capital would be
brought here and expended The economy of
such a change is also plainly apparent. II we
take the of witnesses alone, and consider the
cost of their detention from their occupation,
caused by going to New Castle, we will find that
ii would be cheaper for Wilmington to build and
furnish large and commodious Court House
Certainly il would have been cheaper ten years
ago.
The location of County seats in small towns
doubtless retards the towns growth, but Will
mington has long since passed that stage, and is
strong enough to hold her own, and have the
Court House here without the evils which they
sometimes bring to smaller and feebler commu-
nities Therefore, as there is no objection to the
change in an economical and business point of
view, the question is, how is it to be done, and
how are we to overcome the objections of the
residents of the lower hundreds, and their Oppo-
siton TO an increase OF taxation.
The question of the Bar Committee then is,
whether they can practically propose this move
ment TO the Legislature without the cooperation
of the City Council, and the proposition OF some
definite plan. The city, of course, would pay
two-thirds of the cost, by taxation, but it can do
even more. Some definite plan of action should
be devised, such as the proffering of an eligible
site, and offering to cooperate with the county
and build the county and city offices together
" VIII not DC long ere new city OFFICES VIII De
needed. This effort should not fail, as similar
previous efforts have done The subject tends
greatly to the advantage and benefit OF the whole
community Council is clothed with proper au-
thority, the occasion demands q prompt and Wig
orous action to this end, and if eligible site is
offered by this body, every one would applaud
the wisdom of the act.
If the semOval Is effected the buildings at New
Castle can still be used. i hope they will soon
be converted into House Of Correction and
ReformatOry School for the reformation and re-
claimatiOn of juvenile criminals They could
readily be adapted to these purposes, but they
are really unfit for their present use.
The citizens OF the lower part of the county,
many OF them, favor a division of the county
The plan is very feasible, from the fact that it
would secure the increase of representation now
demanded and bring the County Buildings TO
Wilmington. But the City Council should lead
the way by a definite proposition to give an ELI
gible site for the erection of the necessary build
ings.
Mr.. VIM. s. McCaullay read the following:
RESOLVED. That the City Council hereby
invites a removal Of the county seat to this city
and will insure sufficient sites for all necessary
buildings, free Of charge.
He suggested that Council adopt this or some
similar resolution.
Mr.. Quinn suggested that the Board Of Trade
Committee be heard, whereupon, Mr.. Geo. w.
Stone from that COMMITTEES, presented 4 petition
similar in text, 10 the resolution just read. He
also stated that the Board of Trade was ready
to cooperate with Council, 10 secure the
removal.
Mr.. w. c. Spruance spoke at length in favor
of the change and said that there was no other
city in the United States, with 10000 inhabi-
tants, whose people have to travel five miles to
examine the County records. The patience we
have exhibited in this respect would have been
worthy Of of all commendatiOn is displayed ina
better cause. He referred to the Inconvenience
Of the present location, the necessity for change
and thought the city should offer the sites, and
90 operate with the County in the erection OF
the buildings.
Mr.. Geo. w. Stone, stated that the members
of the Board of Trade were largely in favor of
the city erecting the buildings, in addition to
offering the sites.
Mr.. Geo. y. Capelle believed it would pay
the city 10 give the ground and erect the build
ings.
Mr.. Pickels thought the members Of Council
were not prepared for any definite action, then
bat Wonld do their duty in the case He
admitted the necessity Of the removal, and said
the great point was 10 arrive at some equitable
basis upon which the County and City could
cooperate.
Mr.. Lchienstein presented a resolution pro-
viding forthe appointment Of q committee Of
Ave, TO take the matter in consideration, and
report at the next meeting some proposition
looking 70 the accomplishment of this purpose;
also rendering thanks to the members Of the
Bar and Board Of Trade, fOr their efforts in this
.'''tii.
Mr.. Hayes was strongly in favor Of the re
nova, but objected TO the first resolution because
II took the matter entirely out Of the hands of
the other committees. He thought the hest
plan was fOE ihP Council Committee 10 cooperate
with the other committees.
After some further discussion, the resolutions
were adopted. aa