Delaware state journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1870-1883, 1873-01-25
REMOVING THE CvURTS.
A Fair Statement Of the Reasons why the
Change Should be Made.

Msssrs. Editors: The removal of~the
county seat OF Justice to Wilmington has,
at intervals, for many years been subject |
Of earnest discussion and agitation by the
people Of New Castle county. This meas |
ure which thirty or forty years ago, at |
time when the population Of this county |
was much less dense, and its business |
interests within far narrower limits than |
at present, was regarded desirable by the |
mere convenience of the majority of the |
people, II by nothing else, is now abso-
lutely demanded, by the agricultural as
well as the business interests of the county. |
The proprlety and txpediency, If not the |
necessity of such removal should be man !
ifest 10 the people at large for many rea-
sons, of which the following are only a |
few -
The Court House at New Castle was
built when the population OF New Caste
county was only small traction OF its
present bulk. II was probably We'll
adapted then, and for some time thereafter
to the purposes of Its erection. But the
wants and necessities OF the people to-day
certainly were beyond the scope of Its
plan. Il and Its officers are now totally
lnade duate to meet the public Kdemand.
1t is the prevailing sentlmeat, and a
fact, that such alterations In tine building
as would render it coMmodious and ade'
quate to its proper purposes are impracti
cable from Its peculiar structure. There
must therefore be erected new and suit
able Court House. The only remaining
question then is as to its locality.
We believe that any fair and impartial
man, with ordinary intelligence, who has
at heart and desires to promote the conve-
nience and welfare of the majority of the
people of this county, will point at once
to Wilmington as the proper place Tor the
county seat.
In the first place, Wilmington has con-
slderably more than one half OF the pop
ulation of this county, and is, therefore,
in point of fact and in a business view,
other things being equal, interested In this
matter more than all the rest of the county.
Secondly. Probably more than seven
eighths Of the business Of this county,
rendering recourse to the county seat
necessary, comes from Wilmington. 1t
will surely be conceded by all, that If any
man has three times as much business as
his Heighbor at the county seat, otner
things still being equal, the former Will
be entitled 10 q more potent voice than the
latter In the location Of that county seat.
The rule Whcih should thus exist as be-
tween individuals, 1t seems, should be
applicable to the case presented.
Thirdly. Nearly ali the manufacturing
interests of this county are centered in
Wilmington, and always suffer more than
agricultural interests from the distance OF
the county seat, while attendance at court
az witnesses, or parties may frequently
prove Improbable and annoying TO ialm-
/ e.. a.. IL Ia Offan
productive Of great loss, through the alb
sence of skilled workmen &C., and the
temporary closing of their establishments.
Fourth. The great majority Of the loan
associations of this county, the benefits OF
which are shared both by the farmer and
workingman, are clustered in Wilmington.
II has been estimated that over the sum Of
$1,000 is annually paid by the members OF
such associations In Wilmington, on
account Of travelling expenses necessarily
incurred for the purpose OF the eSamina-
ton of titles, the satisfaction of mort
cages, etc., which expenses are rendered
necessary solely by reason Of the distance
Of the county offices from The majority of
such associations.
The foregoing remarks may properly be
considered as reasons why the city OF
Wilmington, on Its own aecount,by reason
of its population, Its convenience, aud It's
business intereats, might justly claim the
site for the new county buildings. But,
! beyond the matter of advantage to VII
mipgton, there are other considerations IN
favor of the proposed removal strongly
affecting the people Of New Castle county
generally,
First. Wilmington would afford amp.I
! and suitable accommodation, which at The
present county seat Is impossible for par
ties, witnesses, jurors, Judges and lawyers
! One of the greatest hardshlps 10 which
the people Of this county have ever been
subjected Is the frequent necessity OF tray'
elliDg at morning and night, to and from
the town Of New Castle, and remaining
there during the day with no ease or con
venience TO themselves, for days or perhaps
weeks during single term OF Court. Ihli
: great injustice to the people OF New Castl'
: county generally would be signally RENE
died through the location OF the count.
seat at Wilmington.
: Secondly. Il is a fact known to all, tina
( many persons having just and lega
: claims, abandon them, rather than u
. compelled to undergo the Inconvenience
I, discomfort and pecunary loss OF prose
cutting such claims under the existing cir
cumstances and that thereby the presen
location of the county seat OF justice de
feats the very euds of justice.
Il Thirdly. Wilmington is now railroa
/, centre The Philadelphia, Wilmington
IS Baltimore, the Delaware, the Wilmington
q .S Reading and the Wilmington y Wester
+ Railroads all connect with that CITY, an
le furnish easy access TO Wilmington to tn
e people Of New Castle county. 1t would nc
be going beyond the truth 10 state, aud
Is matter of demonstraliop, that by ayt
siEths of the people Of this county, wa
mington with its railroad facilities,
-. more easily reached than the town of Ne
IN Castle.
a Fourth. The great majority of the law
~ yers necessarily do and must reside
10 Wilmington, aud they transact the bal
~ of the legal business of New Castle count.
: This entails great expense upon the couuI
=, generally, by reason of the present site
y the county buildings. The lawyers fe'
" for attending legal business which requirl
~ their presence at the ofiices Of Court, a
& naturally aud Justly higher than The
"a would be II the county scat were close
~ hand. What might properly be periorm'
- in couple of hours If the Court we
Se here, now requires either whole day
re absence at New Castle, or the hire OF
at horse and carriage. The lawyers
"a renumerated but the people suffer
~ Many other reasons might be urged WI
the city of Wilmington is, for the peoI
70 of New Castle county generally, preen
10 nently the most proper place for the loC
Of tion of the county seat. It is believed tn
I, the foregoing considerations, howev'
hs should not and cannot be without gre
,er weight before the people and it is 10
~ earnestly desired that the present Legls
no no ture will promptly authorize and direct
'Je measure which seems TO he so ady0n
~ geous 10 the eitlzens Of New Castle ooun
SO. -----'- --~~
ed, Aausnaoar Advertisements.
en- -. -. =. -. :. ]. !.