The daily gazette., 1883-02-16
REpaiNTrD From YESTERDAY
rnr svow TRUSTEES.

animation OF the books OF the Wilmington
assessors, which Is not Sc. completed.
At 11.20 Mrssrs. Ray, Williams, Farra,
Lnckey and Bradford Of the Board Of
Trustees OF the Poor. entered the room and
requested hearing by tue Levy Court. The
members Of that body, who were saunter-
ing IN and out Of the two rooms, were called
10 order, and DIR. Ellison announced that re-
presentatives from the Almshouse manage
ment desired TO be heard.
Senator Ray, as chairman of the Finance
Committee Of the Board, said that the frus-
tees OF the Poor were in need of $l50,O00 TO
complete the work they had on hand, and q
bill 10 that effect had been prepared. The
Trustees, the gentleman informed the Court,
had not intended any disrespect to the
honorable body he was addressing, and
If any had been shown the Board asked
to be pardoned. The present indebtedness
OF the Trustees, he continued, is S11S,OOO
He then stated the different amounts owed
By the Board on account of borrowed money
raised at different times, giving the rates Of
interest paid on each. The Trustees had
already paid S64, ,l2S 10 the contractors of
the new AlmRhouse and for water works,
besides $4,000 for the farm property, which
left them balance on hand of S33, ,S12.
The committee had come before the Court
TO state that the Trustees did not want to
be forced to place the cid almshouse
property on the market ana sell 1t at
sacrifice. It was proposed to only sell the
property ON the hill to parties who would
improve IT, They didn't want to sell it to
syndicate, who would probably make one
third on the investment, but wished to get
all out Of it possible. In order not to
sacrifice the property S250,000 would be
needed, all told. The property ought TO
bring about Si25, 900 The portion already
sold realized 81, 900 BY being disposed OF in
lots. Otherwise it might not have realized
81 500 by the wholesale. 1t would be a de-
cined disadvantage to all hands TO sell the
old Almshouse grounds at present
Mr.. Ray hoped the Levy Court would see
its way clear TO assist the Trustees in OBJ
tanning law to allow them TO borrow money
10 take up old loans an4 pay off indebted
ness. Some Of the loss 10 the present Board
was occasioned by the Hare's Corner trans
actions Of the preceding Board 1t was, he
concluded, the wish OF the Trustees that the
Levy Court act in conjunction with them.
Colonel Febiger couldn't understand how
loss could have been sustained, so as to
increase the Boards Indebtedness, by the
purchase of the Hare's Corner farm by the
old Trustees. If the latter paid only
$l2, 900 and received Sl4, 900, he couldn't un-
derstand where the loss came in.
Walter Cummins, Esq, attorney of The
tr ustee, explained the purchase Of the farm
on which a mortgage was hanging at the
time and was paid of by the Trustees, the
money received being used FOR that purpose
Originally the farm cost So 800, being sold
for $4,000, money having been borrowed
for the purpose Of buying.
James bradford, the newly appointed
Trustee, vice John Guthrie, said there was
only one thing and that was the Board OF
Trustees was SllS,000 behind. 1t would
take at least S275, 900 to lift the present float
ing debt ana finish the new buildings.
"1hen," he added, I'VE Will be out of debt
and can 20 smoothly"
Colonel Febiger-"Have contracts been
given out for the new buildings You say
they will cost $3.50, 600"
Nathaniel Williams, chairman of the
Building Committee, then read statement
Of the Indebtedness Of the Trustees, as fol-
lows: Bonds at per cent, to the amount
of $4,000, held by Hannah Shiplcy aud
Edward Bringhurst; Caroline Clark, 81, 900
at per cent; farm loan Of so 900, at )
per cent; certificates of Indebtedness,
payable in one year, at ~ per cent.
$50, 900; certificates to amount of 81 900, at
Al per cent, payable in five years loan
from Bank Of Newark, $4,000, at G pei
cent, and S12, 900 borrowed from Bank OF
New Castle. The total being SllS,00O. The
contract price Of the new buildings was
Sl63, 500, Of which the contractors had al
ready been paid S4S, l3S, leaving a totai OF
Sll5,372 yet to be paid when the structures
were finished. The extra plumbing, heat
ing apparatus aud gas fixtures would
cost $50 900 more, while the expense for
superintendent, fencing, etc, would run up
$4,000, making a grand total Of S2s3 900
Ten thousand dollars which had been raised
for the new buildings was unayoidably swal
owed up by current expenses.
Mr. EarFa stated that ha tVaely In alI
made the Trustees had been Inadequate fol
four years, and the result was the Boart
had run behind. The additional expense o
the smallpox hospital would foot up be
tween $1,000 and $1,000 during the pas
three years. The inmates, too, of the aims
house had almost doubled within the pas
three years.
Col Febiger wanted to know If the Lew
Court hadn't paid the Trustees what the
wanted.
Mr.. Farra didn't think they had
Mr.. Silver said the Trustees had statet
that an additional one per cent. would b.
enough for them and ii had been allowed
Mr.. Farra-"there is one thing not to b,
gotten over, and that is more money
Will be required"
Mr.. silyer-"I thoughtthe Trustees woulC
have received last year nearly $40 O00."
Mr. Farra-''We have received abou
was borrowed 10 repair the old insane
building, but 1t was concluded not to d.
that, and the sum was used for current ex
penses. year ago we were just one
quarter behind hand"
A recess was then taken, the Trustees fur
nishing figures for the examination Of th
Court
Upon being called to order again Mr.
Williams made a statement in which h
said there We're yet 10 2-3 acres 10 be sold
four-seventh of an acre had already beeI
sold for 50 ,sJO and at the same rate abou
Sl66,000 would be obtained for the rest 0
the property. A debt would then remail
of Sll5,U00. 1t was, he thought, better t.
borrow money at low rate than to sacri
fee the land.
Or. Ellison wished 10 inquire if it was in
nded to create a sinking fund. He though
all slles from property SHOULD be USED
solely for the payment Of the building debt
Senator Ray declared that every dollar de
rived from the sale Of the real estate shoult
be and shall be applied to the liquidation o
he Almshouse debt Such a provision
should be embodied in the bill.
Mr.. Silver-"IfI | understand the matte
correctly II is TO borrow the entire amour
Of the Trustees indebtedness and the cost 0
the new buildings and leave the old build
ings intact"
Mr.. Ray-''There are $50 900 due mex
September and money will be needed soon
i think the Levy Court will give the Trus
tees credit for borrowing money one-hal
per cent, cheaper than they did"
Mr.. Silver, laughingly-"Thats easily ex
planned"
Mr. Bradford-''1he Trustees don't wan