Delaware state journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1870-1883, 1880-08-05

We recently referred to the various |
signs of preparation now making on the |
South Side for extending the manufactur-
ing interests of Wilmington toward the
Delaware river We hope to see the
speedy fulfillment of all that those opera
tons promise, but we do not believe that
when this natural growth once gets fairly
started that tho marsh lands on the north
side will be neglected. They would be
easy of access to good solid ground north
west of the Brandywine where houses for
workmen could be built; and, il building
on the marshes was once started,
there would soon be bridge
across the Brandy wine at Eighth
street or thereabouts, such as has fire.
quently besn talked OF. It must not be
forgotten that the lowness Of these marsh
lands has decided advantages for factories
which make large amount of Stag, or
other waste, and all who have watched the
process have been surprised at the rapidly
with which the South Side lands near the
old Ferry rolling mill have filled up.
There is another rolling mill not yet in
operation on that side, and it will, when
started, do similar work for the low
ground around it, while the direct filling
up done by the National Dredging Com
pany shows how rapidly that ground can
be prepared for use by direct work.
We call renewed attention to this matter
because in the utilization OF these marshes
lies the hope of more rapid growth for
Wilmington than the place has ever before
known. 1t has already resumed its old
rapid pace in increase Of population, and
houses are becoming as scarce as ever
because of the constant influx of new
inhabitants; but there is no reason why
| great works, such as those which have
almost enabled New Castle to double its
population in single decade; should
not be attracted here, and the
enormous wharf line of the sinuous
Christiana marks the natural line of their
erection. OF course, we shall grow without
this. The increase during the past ten
years, despite the panic and depression, was
a fraction over thirty eight per cent. 1t is
likely that the percentage will be some
what more during this decade, but, ven at
that rate, we shall have population ten
years hence of 5S, 1879. But it ought to be
much greater, and would be if outside
attention was once more drawn to the
place and Inducements were offered
to manufacturers to come here.
These marshes are, we think,
the greatest attractions that can be offered
and the extended works the Jessup &
Moore Company have just erected on pre-
cisely similar ground, little further ur
the Christiana, show that there is no diff
Guilty in erecting substantial buildings OF
marsh ground. In fact, that was demon
strated long ago; for nearly all the build
ings in this city between the Philadelphia
Wilmington & Baltimore railroad and thu
Christiana are on made ground, as is tn
greater part OF the railroad itself
, The recovery which has renewed the oil
! rate of growth should infuse something @
new vigor into our business men an
create a little public spirit, such as woul
lead men to do, voluntarily, something fo
the city as whole, even if they do nc
see the prospect of immediate profits
themselves, individually. Since the growt
of population and business has begun
without special effort of anybody in psi
ticular, it is time for the people to wax
up and see what they can do to help
= along.