The daily gazette., 1875-07-23
WILMINGTON. DEL, JULY 23, 1873
The Commercial DeteHds EC'
fT0rQHU7tc1

The Commercial makes u lame defence
OF the manner in which its party Is build
ing the new reservoir. 1t says the GA
zErTE is finding fault foolishly." That
its party decided nearly a year ago that
the contract system had fatal objec-
tions." The first objection was that it
the work was put out on contract there
ould be no assurance that the contrac-
tors would not bring hither workmen
from elsewhere"
''The second objection I'd the contract
proposition was that the construction OF
the bank-the actual placing of the clay
upon it's work Of the utmost nicety
and Importance.
Unless done with the greatest care and
under the direct supervision OF those re-
sponsible for the success Of the compile
ted reservoir, there would be danger Of
its being carelessly or improperly done,
TO the permanent injury OF the whole un-
dertaking. 1t was the deliberate conclu-
sion, last Fall, that to risk the construc-
tion OF the reservoir by ctntract would
be, chiefly for the reason just stated, in
curing very great danger.
The GAZETTE further complains of "the
allow progress of the work" This is sheer
nonsense. The work has progressed rap
idly. Some people have been complain
ing at the rapidity with which it has
been pushed"
At the start we admit that we desire
q Democratic Council. Tobe sure we do.
We have faith in their desire for an Geo.
nomical administration of the affairs of
the city. We have practical illustration
of the extravagance of the Republicans
under the old Ring; and according to the
Commercial the work is being prosecuted
as the old Ring intended it to be done
That Ring secuted the contract system;
and they did so because they hoped and
expected TO CONTROL the laborers votes.
II they did not want men from abroad, it
was because they could not use them as
voters. That is all humbug-it is an af-
tar thought, and asserted as an excuse
fer not doing the work On economical
principles. The fact is men who live
here could afford to do the work as cheap
~ as it could be done by those who live
elsewhere. Andit is also direct charge
against our own people ho are engaged
In contracting for such work. Il is ride
alons to make such an assertion in the
4aes Of the fact that they went abroac
2er engineers when there were competen-
msk in our city who were ready to dc
the work. They pretend TO be very care
full Of our 1nen-they may be able to de
osive the negro voters with such stories
hat intelligent white men will not b.
oAseht up 50 easily.
Eat is foolish" to have work done b.
contract, all builders have been FOOLS
But tbs is not SO.
The werk Of elcavatinG and building
Smbankments is the most simple that i!
performed, and it could have been don'
as well by contractors as it is done now
In fact there would have been more rea
son to hope for the work being well done
and done in accordance with the direc
tioes of the engineer; otherwise the worl
might have been condemned and the con
tractor made to do it over before he re
caived his pay. We have now no securit,
that the work v ill be well done, and ther
Is no responsible party IL look to.
Now, We assure our readers that Will
, 1t IL true that We desire the success o
the Democratic party, We are also sin
cerely deslrous OF reforming the extrava
giant course tile council is pursuing. ]
the taxes are increased at the rate the
have been many more years. our city wi
lie classed among the list OF towns frol
which manufacturers ded lare it is neeei
sary to remore.