Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1894-09-27

Municipal legislation at Dover for
this city is necessarily most important
subject Of consideration for all citizens
OF Wilmington, and especially SO on
the eve Of the election of a new Legis-
lature.
There are very important matters of a
domestic nature in which the citizens
are interested, outside of the general
legislation needed for Wilmington. In
addition, the statement has been made
on more than one occasion that certain
municipal legislation has been enacted
whose publication has come upon the
community with more or less surprise
Still again the comment is made that
had the people known of the intention
of the passage of that legislation it
would have received such public criti-
cism as would have substantially modi.
fed its enactment, If not have defeated
it altogether. Under any circumstances,
the claim is made in regard to the fit
tingness of full and timely consdera-
ton through the press of all matters
touching the municipality in order that
the citizens Of Wilmington, as they are
SO entitled, may have full cognizance of
the nature of the measures proposed, as
they may be affected by them.
In this connection representative of
The GAZETTE Monday interviewed City
Solicitor George A. Elliott in regard to
the questions possibly affecting his
department.
mo, / suppose not" said City Solicit
tor Elliott in reply to a suggestion from
the reporter that probably the present is
not u bit too carly a moment TO talk of
the municipal matters that will prob
ably demand legislative attention next
winter.
you know" continued Mr.. Elliott,
that matter in regard to the Park bonds
Is very important one, that is for the
Park Commissioners, instead Of receiv-
ing relatively triiling amount for
expenditure in the public parks yearly
and which in the end gives no commen.
surate showing for the use Of the
money, that certain definite sum, say
| 100000, or such an amount that when
expended upon park improvement will
be appreciated by the pubic, and will
show that something worthy of the
effort has been accomplished by the
commission.
The idea is to have such an amount
allowed by the Legislature to be bonded
by the city for the use of the public
parks, the proceeds of the sale Of the
bonds 10 be placed to the credit of the
| Park Commission and to be used by the
commissioners in general improve
ment of the city parks. This sum
should be applied TO park improve.
ments solely, the present appropriation
as made by Council to be applied to the
current expenses Of the commission, as
Is done now, such rs the maintenance
Of the park staff, for running expenses
and other current needs.
In addition, Mr.. Elliott explained ii
will be necessary to have jurisdiction
indicated by legislative action in regard
To that section of the boulevard from
Washington bridge to Eighteenth street.
The place is full of ruts. People can
hot drive there. 1t seems the Park
Commissioners have neither the means
nor the inclination to make the I'M,
proyement.
STREET IMPROVEMENT.
"You know, Mr.. City Solicitor" the
| reporter continued, that the $4,000
appropriation made by the Legislature
for the improvement Of the streets and
sewers Of the city will in all likelihood
be used up within 12months. There is,
to judge from general comment, q
unanimous approval of the work done
by the commission resulting in the im.
provement Of the streets and the better
sewerage system acquired. Can you say
what the prospects are Of carrying on
the work under further appropriations
/ mud .uI,atl,nr Ia, s,,.n : Al.
city authorities to apply for further
means to continue the work ~
IL Think" Mr.. Elliott replied, "the
sewer work should be carried on. But, oil
course, it may be that the consideration
Of the hard times may not allow toe
much OF an expenditure on account oil
public works.
There are certain of the sewers thai
must be completed in order to gain the
oeneIitof the work already commenced
HOW THE MONEY WAS EXPENDED.
In regard to the expenditure Of the
S5O0,0OO, the following figures and fact.
show that all of this large sum, saving 4
very minute expenditure for salaries anC
other incidental expenses, has been eX
pended in this city and is shown in the
account as the money was expended
The results are 20 miles of street.
built in four years, with the following
material and cost; Fire brick, 1850
yards, cost $l6l,000 granite blocks
$1,000 yards, cost $2l5,OO0; rubblC
5000 yards, cost $4,000; macadau
and tcliord pavement, l25,5OO yards
cost $4,000. This affords total Of
326, 800 yards at cost of $4G2, 900. a
new roller was purchased for $4,000
stone, grading, curbing, sprinkIinl
and miscellaneous improvements cos
$4,000.
LABoRING MEN GOT IT.
The bulk of this money went into thu
pockets of the laboring men. The max
ing Of curb, blocks, broken stone fol
macadam, grading, hauling material
sand, &C., is all labor. This constitute.
all that is required to build streets.
| The sum OF $SS,00O was paid fo
brick, and $500 paid back to Whining
ton carriers for hauling.
Thus it will be seen that the none,
invested in streets accomplished two i'm
portant results; lirst, it has given Viii
mington good streets; and second, it ha
accomplished the good end of circulat
ing money among the workingmen aul
the business people.
| Denounced German and Gibson