Delaware tribune. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1867-1877, 1875-03-11
A RADICAL MEASURE OF CHANGE uNsuP.
PORTED ~ GOOD REASONS.

xV6IkU 0x 0VVU 0EASVMB,
81 radical change III the organisation Of the
State - tho division Of New Castle county,
whose unity has now been maintained in harmo-
ny aud prosperity, for nearly two hundred yeav,
should not be made without the strongest rea-
son. The arguments In itA favor should not be
merely plausible they should be irresistible.
In order to Justify such step, 1t must be shown
that it, results arc Of the highest Importance
aad that they cannot be attained by less objeo-
tionable means.
Now let us consider the arguments for county
division. II they are not 30 cogent and &C ire
sistible - We have described, the proposition to
divide must fall. First il is said that division
will settle the question of Equal Representation.
This is not true. 1t will not permanently dis
pose Of the question, nor will the adjustment,
whether Temporary or permanent, be . eatisfac-
tory one. The county Of Wilmington, ~ pro.
posed, would contain forty thousand people, the
county Of New Castle, only twenty-five thousand,
yet each would have ten members Of the Lsgis-
lature. This is not equal representon. and it
does not settle that question. II Is not an adjust
mont on principle; III fact the principle Of giving
equality Of voice in the Legislature is not con-
sidered at all. The rapid growth Of the city Of
Wilmington, in future, would still further in.
crease the dsproportion and magnify the impro-
priety Of this presence to 'settls" question By
an expedient instead Of principle.
Nor would the adjustment now made DO good
one. 1t woutl give ten members Of the Legis-
lAture TO Wilmington county. Who would elect
these TIN members Naturally aud certainly the
vote Of this city. Their selection would be con-
trolled here. They would be the choice Of such
political forces ~ CHANGED vt the moment
70 be In control Of the city's patronage
and power. The hundreds Of Brandy
wine and Christians, whose united populs.
ton is less tkan one-thrd that Of Wilmington,
would be tied to the heel Of the city. IL 'this
the adjustment desired? Is this what the peo-
pie OF tho hundreds want? An increase OF
representation has been again and again asked
for, ton the district system" but this would be
the district system, with vengeance.
The second reason assigned il that ii would
settle the Court House removal question. Bu.
it would not. Tho records Of the county would
remain at New Castle. The difficulty of access
to them would continue to exist. For years, i.
would be necessary to go there to consult them.
1t has been proposed to copy them, and the cos,
has been estimated at small sum. Blu,
calculation carefully made by an Office,
in tie record Offices at New Castle shows sthst
at seven cents folio, "a very low price, the ex.
pense would be from forty thousand to fifty
thousand dollars ! Copying is then substantially
out OF the question, unless We propose lavish
and reckless expenditure of the peoples money
and consequently greatly increased taxation
and the difficulty remains almost AZ great as
e'o', A.'.i ui'isio'i. sthat the Levy Court il
tyrannica], and that division would open thu
door for this city's escape from its expressions
We are taxed, it ia said, for the bridges ani
roads OF che lower hundreds, while they refus,
to vote US the erection Of the bridges which ".
need. Surprising this to be true, would it BIZ
just to place Chrlstisna and Brandyyine
under the complete control Of Wilmington
to be taxed for our bridges? On the o.be,
hand, is not the remedy for this difficulty o,
bridges anl roads an easy one ? Let seperate
taxes be collected for their construction and re-.
PAIR and let this city spend her own, and the
rural districts their own. Let us build what
bridges we need, and they may do the same. Ia
not this the proper remedy for the trouble al
legged 1t is the simple easy, and direct one
These are the three chief arguments for d,yi.
sion. EACH instead Of being unanswerable, ia
open to the most severe criticism. Instead of
being strong all Of them are fimsy The pro-
posed division will settle nothing It is an at
Tempt to produce results indirectly which should
DO approached directly 1t is making mistake
and committing a wrong, upon the ground that
tL6rcby a or L.