Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1891-04-23
FOR THE NEW POST OFFICE.
Ground Broken for the New Struo-
ture Yesterday Morning.

The First Shovelful of Earth Removed by
n Representative of EVERY EVENING"
Negroes Complain That Foreigners are
Doing All tho Work.
The formal breaking of ground for the
new post-office and Federal building at
Ninth and Shipley streets took place at
a, m, yesterday. There was a gather
ing of 200 or 800 citizens, lookers-on and
workingmen. Superintendent George II.
Hollis, Contractor A. s. Reed, Clerk of the
Works Solomon Jersey, eX-Mayor Rhoads,
engineers Of the surveying department,
Sub-contractor John Logue, Tepresenta-
tives of the afternoon papers and brigade
of blue-bloused navvies armed with pick
and shovel and line Of teams were gath
cred at the southern side of the large open
lot.
AT exactly ITO a. M, Mr.. Reed gave the
word and a score of picks struck the ground
breaking the hard flinty surface into large
flakes. This was the Introductory part Of
the ceremonial. Mr. Reed then ordered
one of the carts TO be backed up near the
loosened earth and gracefully handing
new shovel to the representative of the
EVERY EVENING that gentleman plunged
the tool deep into the broken earth and
generous shovel full went flying into the
dirt cart. The work on the big structure
was thus formally commenced and will
not stop until the most expensive structure
representing an outlay of S25O,000) ever
erected in this city has been completed
An amusing incident of the ceremony,
which brought roars of laughter from the
crowd, occurred just at the moment that
the chief contractor was handing hespade
for the first shovelful. Clerk OF the Works
IIersey inspired by some Indictment that
suffused his face, stumbled eXcitedly over
the broken earth and gathering huge
armful of dirt, staggered off to the cart
and emptying it there, clamorously de-
manded his recognition as the one who
had shoveed the first spadeful for the new
building His usurping claims were re-
ceived with well-meritcd dersion by the
amused assembly.
The brigade of men with pick and
shovels then commenced excayating n
wide swath to the centre of the lot. The
dirt is being carried off to Kirkwood park.
| With continuance of the fine weather it
is expected that favorable progress will
soon be made on the foundation contract.
| The fact that almost all of the 70 men
employed excavatng at the new works
were Italians aroused the indignation of a
number of colored men who were waiting
| for employment. They openly denounced
the sub-contractors for discriminating
against citizens and in favor of foreigners.
| 1t was ascertaned on inquiry of the sub
contractor and of Superintendent Hollis
| that negroes are going to be employed on
| the works. Additional carts will be hired
| and then the colored men will be engaged.
| The intention is il found advantageous, to
| work the Italians and the negroes in sepa-
rate gangs, Mr.. Hollis says that there is
not the slightest intention of discriminate
| ing against any citizen whoever he is.
| Any man who can work, ii there be work
for him, will get employment. The con-
| tractors have taken the job at very close
| figures and il will be for their interest to
hire the best men obtainable.