Wilmington daily commercial., 1873-01-10
REMOVING THE COUNTY SEAT.

THE CITY DONATES LOT AND AGREES 10 PAY
HALF THE COST OF THE NEW BUILDINGS = DE-
BATE IN COUNCIL ON THE sUByB0r.
1t will be remembered that, at a special meet
ing of Council held on Wednesday evening,
committee was appointed to devise some means
by which the subject Of the removal of the
County Seat from New Castle to Wilmington
might be brought before the proper tribunal
This Committee made its report, last evening, in
which it stated that, after mature deliberAton it
deemed it expedient for the city to donate an
eligible site for the buildings and to pay one-half
the cost of the erection of the same in the
event that the Legislature should grant the
requisite authority. '--' r.
After the matter was properly before Council,
Mr. Febiger objected to the report because il
was not specific enough-it did not mention. the
location OF the lot, did not impose the duty
upon the city to pay one-half the cost, and made
no estimate of the oost--all Of which seemed to
be binding the Council to do something which
was very Indefinite. The Levy Court might de-
termine to erect buildings at cost of half
millions of dollars. The sentiment Of the coun-
ty and city, he said, WAS almost unanimous in
favor of the removal, and he himself was in
favor of it. But il the city agrees to pay one4
half the cost of the building, it will leave but
little for the county to provide for the city pays
two-thirds Of the taxes, and it would therefore
pay this ratio of the countys half Of the expense
in the new buildings. .-t .s h7'"
Mr.. Quinn was pleased at the idea of the city
and county erecting the necessary buildings for
each conformity. An estimate he said, might be
approximated and he felt sure the Levy Court
would be as economical as Council. h
Mr.. Lchtenstein, in reply to MIR. Febigsr, said
that the Committee had gone as far as it had the
right to go, aud did not wish 10 transcend It's int
struetions Its duty was not to prepare plans Of
the proposed building, In regard to the cost of
the erection Of tho building he said, the city
IL 20 Iaa.f. ~.
way. II the building is to cost 800 900 and the
city pays two-thirds Of this sum it will amount
to S66, ,666 il it donates one-half and then pays
two-thirds in taxes it amounts to $83 1888, and il
it donates one-thiEd and then pays two-thirls in
taxes It amounts TO $77, 7,777--ao that the differ
ence is not 30 very marked between q donation
OF one-half and none at all. The report was
proper and right and shows an earnestness on
the part of the city. The preparation Of plans
was the work Of another commtte.
Mr.. Febger said that two sites were pro-
posed for the location Of the building--one worth
$780, 900 (the present siteof the City HalD, and
the other $4,000 (the site OF the Market street
baain). On the top of this donation and one
half the cost Of the proposed building would
come a jail, about which nothing was said, as II
ii was the intsntion 10 keep this in the dark. !
S10O, 600 he said, would not put up building
suitable for both the city and county and render
it hre-proof; there must be place for the REQ
ords $50 600 would not build the foundations
He was wilmington the city TO pay it's proportions
il the lot Ia allowed. -pS@
Mr, Pickles said that some dark pictures had
been drawn of the necessity for the change, but
none of them were, to his mInd, dark enough
He had understood that $5, 900 were. spnually
paid by the Loan Associations in sending their
representatives to New Castle, in examinations,
&e., and that oneIhAR that amount would be
saved il the county seat were OF Wilmington.
The city could afford both to give the lot and
put up the buildings. 100000, he said would
erect building suitable for both the city and
county, and render it fire proof, at that. The
cost OF buildings was in their elaboration and
not in. the mortar, brick and iron. There 10
an actual need Of new county Court House,
| and one must be built soon. II the present one
| is torn down and new one is erected at New
Castle, Wilmington will pay two=thirds the cost
because it pays two thirds the taxes. The city
needs new hall, because new members will
soon be coming in and accommodation mustsbe
made for them and the people who wish to gath
| or at the weekly meetings. All the rooms are
| too small; and increased accommodations
are needed in these II the city builds
newhal it must pay all the expense
What then will be the difference in the cost
to the city if the proposed new building is erected
| and it pays the proportion which is recommend
/ ed, than II new county buildings are put up at
New Castle, and the city pays two-thirds of their
| cost, and new hall is erected in Wilmington,
and the city pays it's entire cost Not $5 900 he
claimed. He then spoke of the desirability of
the site Of the present City Hall for the new
| county and city building.
Mr. Richardson was opposed to the city pay
| ing such large proportion Of the expense.
| Mr. Quinn again urged the necessity for the
removal. Referring to the cost Of the building,
he spoke Of ire-proof which had been erected in
| Delaware county at acost Of $3.50, 900 and said
that one adequate for both city and county could
| be built for less money. The offices are strong
| along from Hedgeville to 10th and Market, and
these should be gathered into one building, If it
| cost $780, 900.
| Mr. Candy was surprised that there should be
| any opposition to the report OF the Committee.
| One week ago there was considerable talk of an
| expenditure of half million dollars on the
/ Water Works and no one was scared, but when
the expedienoy of giving away a lot of ground
| and $50, 600 for this building was proposed an
| alarm was at once sprung. He was afraid that
| enough money would not be expended in the
| enterprise. As for economy. he was - much in
| favor OF it as any member Of Council he came
| there for it. The building ought to be erected
| Jointly, .even IL lit should cost $2OO,OOO New
Castle county was certainly able to stand 1t. He
then spoke Of $500, 600 being expended in county
buildings In undevoloped portions Of the West
| and thought that this county was as able to ex-
| pend that amount Of money as they. fga
The report was adopted by UiUd Uooe vote,
| but the ayes and nays were called for, with the
| following result ~
Ayes-Messrs Baker, Bickta, Candy, Foulk,
/ Huested, Hays, Lichtenstein, lynch, Mention,
Mcdowell, Piekels, Quinn, Quigloys Underwood,