Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1891-12-10
ABOVE WASHINGTON STREET
Board of Trade Speaks on
the Bridge Question.
BETWEEN VAN BUREN, AND CLAYTON
These Are the Eastern and
Western Limits.
The Board Declares Itself in Favor of n
New isridge--There Were, However, But
Eleven of the Scores of Members Present
nt the Meeting.

in the chair. Others present were j.
Parke Postlcs, John G. Farra, William
Lawton, a. S, Reed. Mark M. Cleaver,
Il. II. Warner, ]. w. Rogers, Captain
Willard Thompson, Charles Simmons.
Following some routine matters the
president introduced the question of
the new Brandywine bridge. lie thought
1t proper that the board give an express
sion of its opinion on the matter. He
referred to the fact that EVERY EVEN
ING had printed ballot asking the
people to express their opinion in two
ways; First, whether they thought a
bridge should be built, and second, at
what location.
President Mullen expressed himself
in favor Of site higher up stream than
Washington street.
Mark M. Cleaver exhibited map of
the city indicating the various sites. He
strongly expressed his opinion in favor
of the Van l,nren street.
Captain Willard Thompson wanted TO
know the meaning of building Il bridge
across the Brandywine at all.
Mr.. Cleaver understood that there
would be strong objection from the
Park Commissioners in regard to the
west side approach to the proposed
bridge at Broomc street.
In regatd to the Van Buren street site
Gen. Postlfs criticised the pointtha while
the approhch on the west side of the
Van Bureh street site was easy enough
there would be a big grade to meet on
the east side.
Mr.. Cleaver' stated that both Third
and Eleventh street bridges were built
by private parties.
"The question is" he added, "who
will pay most for the BRIDGE
Mr.. Lawton thoucht Washington
street site to close to Market street
bridge. Hethought also that the county
has not the money to build bridge.
The president thought that the best
position for the board TO put itself be-
fore the public would be to state its
belief that bridge should be put higher
up than Washington street.
General Postles opposed any express
sion of the board as yoicing citizens
meeting, which he understood the
present to be.
President Mullen explained that it
was not citizens meeting, but one of
the board, and merely for the board to
express It's opinion whether or not the
new site should be placed higher up
than Washington street. 1t is believed
that the board should express its opinion.
Mr. Cleaver thought that all the bust
ness of the evening is to get an express
ion of opinion as to the building of a
bridge.
MI. Rogers thought that 90 years age
would have done for Washington street,
but it wont do now.
Mr. Cleaycr said that the Third street
bridge cost $27 1000; the citizens pait,
$4,000, and the Levy Court paid
$4,000. Mr.. Warner was under the inn
preston that the citizens paid 49,, 900.
Mr. Warner moved that each member
present express his opinion on the
bridge site.
Mr. Cleavcr moved that it is the
opinion of the Board of Trade that
there should be another bridge built
across the Brandywine.
The motion was passed with only two
dissentients, all present voting.
Mr. Warner then moved that the
bridge should be built between Van
Buren and Clayton streets, not farther
east than Van Buren, nor west than
Clayton.
"sHUN-PIKE ROADS"
Mr.. Warner made some remarks meet.
ing General Pustles inquiries as to the
necessity OF bridge. He told how
| fond farmers, and iii fact every one
else is, of using "Shun- pike roads.
The speaker had to give an etymology
for the strange term as it was new to all
present. Mr.. Warner explained that
the shun-pike is private road that MI
| like to travel so much as thereby the
| turnpike toll is summed. 1t is q county
road that pays no tax Mr.. Warner
turned to the map and showed how
people have to go II mile or miles out
of their way to cross the Brandywint
in order to reach the northern parts Of
Brandywine hundred.
On motion Mr.. Warmers resolution
passed with but one dissentient. 1t was
ordered that copy Of the resolutions
be sent the Levy Court.
THE PARK COMMISSION.
Some comment that was quickly
| formulating into expressions of stric
ture was passed on the position thu
Park Commission had taken In tht
whole bridge question.
Various questions were asked; for in
stance-what business has the Park
Commission in standing rs an obstruc
| tion to the needs of the citizens of vii
mington; again it was asked whether
the Park Commission is not creatur,
of the people, does not the park belong
| to the people, and has anyone q righ
to make the park lands an obstruction
to the definite needs of Wilmington pro
grcss? Again, is the Park Commission
greater than the Levy Court?
The chairman-"Oh, all these are
| questions for a lawyer
One member-"lf the Park Commits
sion obstruct the citizens in this way
advise to kick it out. You can't nova.
days use it, You can't walk in it mol
ride through it. You can't pick up {
stone theren
Another-"They surely can't preven
| public improvements. They can't pre-
| proper location is found. The peopl,
have right to that and also an approach
through the park"
William X. France, son of the Rev
John France, pastor of Scott Church, die
yesterday week of consumption. He was 2
years old and had been sick a long time.
A tank 25 feet in diameter is being sunl
| at the city railway company's works at th
middle depot. Its purpose is to supply
water for the needs of the electric plant
The paper machine to be built by tn,
/ Pusey Jones Company for exhibition a
the Worlds Fair will not be exhibited b,
the manufacturers, but by customer, 70
! whom it will be built.