Evening journal., 1895-07-15
safety the Prime Consideration.


finished job Some student Of human
nature made that observation many
years ago It is eminently applicable to
the negative side Of the present foolish
controversy regarding the new state
library addition to the State House at
Dover. The leading spirits in this con-
troversy are the local papers Of the state
capital. They are tanning a fame which
would, If the new building we're not de-
signed TO be FIRE. proof, consume It.
All sorts OF ridiculous charges are being
made against Senator Pyle and other
members of the committee They are
accused of jobbery, extrRvagsnce. stu
pidIty, lawlessness, duplicity and nearly
every other crime on the calendar Just
what is back Of the unwarranted censure
is not exactly apparent, but Kent county's
pride seems to be touched severely by the
failure OF the General Assembly to name
q Kent county man to serve on the joint
committee appointed to superintend the
erection Of the new structure 1t may be
that some Dover land o wner wished to
sell q site at fancy figures. Some rival
contractor may have desired the Job OF
putting up the building; or the domi-
nant wing OF the Democratic party Of
good old Kent may resent John F sauls.
bury's fundamentally in drawing the
bill.
The measure was not sneaked through
the General Assembly. IL was talked Of
and the conversation published In the
daily papers Of the state several days
before it was introduced by Senator Pyle
Mr. Salisbury drew it at Senator Pyle's
request and between the request and the
drawing OF the bill some time interviewed
because the Wilmington member OF the
upper chamber did not know exactly
what he wanted II TO provide. Mr.. Sauls.
bury had several conferences with him
In the Senate chamber aud they we're
duly chronicled 50 that every newspaper
reader might know that such bill was
in contemplation Before the names wore
inserted several members OF both branches
were consulted
When the bill was finally introduced
1t was given more than ordinary space II
not only all Of the daily papers OF vii.
mington, but in some OF those O.
Philadelphia and in many Of the state
papers All OF its provisions were accu-
rately outlined. II anyone wished to oh
jet ample opportunity was given II re
quired several days for 1t to pass both
f,rnn nhao and tl,a 20. dtrr,,rI.lfr ..... H.
Informed Of its passage through every
parliamentary stage This statement
clearly demonstrates the inaccuracy OF
the statement that It was railroaded.
Delaware needed safer and NOR
oommodious and convenient reposItor,
for the thousands Of books which 4
owned. Legislation In that behalf hal
been recommended by every governo
and state librarian for nearly quarter Of
century. A penny-wise and pound
foolish conservatism had caused thos
recommendations to pass UNDECIDED fror
session to session. Senator Pyle appre
ciated the danger OF further delay
Knowing that the Senate would no
agree to appropriate from the deplete
treasury sufficient money TO put up a
independent structure on Independent
ground, and concluding that it would b
safer TO got what he could than to ru
sny further risk, he limited the sum t
SIC, 600 and 6xed the site on the stat
property at the rear Of the State Hcnsi
We do not believe that there was an
intention Of sighting Kent county i
making the superintendent OF tn
committeeman 1t was regretab'
oversight, discovered too late to I
remedied
The committee, after the adjournmeI
Of the General Assembly, accepted plaI
prepared by local architect, and pr,
pared to have ths work proceed The
1t was that the town of Dover endea
ored to block the enterprise BY ciaimir
title to portion OF the land upon whil
1t WAS proposed TO erect the buildin
The committee retaliated BY threatenii
TO build 1t on state land now used by &
town as q street unless the Tov
Council receded fion its position
antaeonism 1t is sufficient to sta
that 1t did recede aud then the TRADE
abuse began.
Dover may not be satisfied, but &
state at large is and the committee
fortunate in having such preponde
ance OF public sentiment on its sis
Ia an iron fre-proof aud commod,o
building the % coo volumes. many
which could never be replsced. will
both safe and accessible. The struc I
may not be attractive ia an architectul
sense, bat the books will be beyond {
reach OF fire That is the bjset soug
TO be attained
The Afro American Citizen made
first appearance on Saturday. under !
management Of Isaac W. Howard, It
four. page. six column paper, devoted
the interests Of the colored race.
motto Isl The Afro American First
World After The first number is mi