Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1890-05-15
THE STATE AND PENINSULA
BED MEN aAVE a QUALIFICATION
AT CLAYTON.
PEACH YELLoWS
NEWARK LOSES ITS OPPORTUNITY
FOR ELECTRIO LI9RT..
A Flag Won by u Smyrna GirI--A
False ktepOrf Leads 10 the Hitb-
drawsi of ans Electric Light Bid
An Expensive salute.

Special Correspondence of Gazette aud Journal
NEWARK, May 8.--The electric light ques-
tion was again before council last evening
but came TO very decisive and unexpected
ending through the voluntary withdrawal
oil the bid OF the Theo. @. Knauff Company
by Its manager, Henry Carpenter, who vas
present, together with the president OF the
company, Theodore o. Kuauff, both of
Philadelphia. II will be recalled that at q
special meeting OF council held on Wednes-
day evening OF last week the Knauff COM
pany made bid for the street and COM
mefciRl lighting OF Newark. This was In
answer to the advertisement of council for
bids from any and all companies. On the
night In question the only bid received was
the one from the Knaaff company, and
barring Its prices for arc lights the schedule
OF prices which they agreed to charge was
very moderate. There Ia q very strong feel
ing here In favor of arc lights. even ut an
increased cost over the present gasolene
or the proposed incandescent lights, and
Nswark's council has been repeatedly sd-
vlsed by sister municipalities to operate Its
own plant for street and commercial light
Ing and never to let private company
get a hold on the town." Council at this
meeting came very near rellnqulshing the
idea Of bonding for commercial lighting
plant and accepting the Kaauh bid, but at
the last moment 1t decided to lay the
matter over for one week. During
the interim charges have been made
to the effect that the Knauff COM
pany used undue influence with the
principal electric light companies to crush
out all rival bidders. This report, although
entirely unsubstantiated, received some
color and credence IRON the fact that this
company was the only bidder; and, that
moreover the electric supply companies
refused to give council any estimates on a
municipal plant. This was later found to
be the invariable course of supply COM
| pantes where two individuals or corpora
| tions were contracting for plants to light
the same place. The meeting was we'll
attended last night, both BY council mem
bors and the friends and opponents OF cleo
trio light. When the light question came
| up MIR. Carpenter erosa and q lietly In
formed council that since he had heard
charges made against the good
faith OF his company and against
the regularity OF lis bid, he would, with
| the consent OF Mr.. Kpautf, summarily with
draw Its bid for the franchise and ask
council TO return Its proposition at once.
Council had not then voted on the question
Of accepting or rejecting the Knauh bid
and 1t could do nothing but comply with
the request, which was done. The whole
thing was very unfortunate for both sides,
1t appearing now as though there would
have been majoIltv vote In council in
! ldNor VI RlflnR tno huhuu company Iuo
franchise for five years, even In the face OF
| these unsustained street reports. About
\ the only alternative now left for the town
Is tn9 bonding OF the town again and the
erection OF n municipal plant. AS there is
q very strong sentiment against any more
bonded Indebtedness 1t spDears that New
ark T. doomed to outer darkness.
The two pieces Of artillery have been re-
moved from the front campus Of Delaware
College and plHced in the rear where they
may be discharged with their months
| pointed over the Pennsylvania hills. Yes
| terday the town was twice shaken by the
! firing OF these four inch cannon with
blank charges. The second one was peal
Of victory after the base ball game aDd 1t
proved slightly expensive salute to a man
who happened to be passing the college at
the time. His horses were frightened and
very badly ipjured a steam tnrAshing
machine to which they were attached. The
machine was laid up for repairs and It is
| said the college will soon have q small
| dampgA atlIf nn ttl handl n