Smyrna times., 1895-01-09

ing in summer and good for skating in
winter. The ice on these ponds has
been on an average five inches thick.
On Saturday the last day the lakes
We're filled with hundreds of skaters.
The work of demolition of Fort Del
aware has begun, and in a few weeks
this relic of the civil war will have
entirely disappeared. The old fort
stands on small island in the Della
ware river, between New Castle and
Delaware City. During the war 10000
Confederate soldiers, captured on
Southern batte-felds, were confined
within its walls. The value of the
fortress as a defence has long since
passed away, aud in its stead a system
of tOrpedOes will be arranged, deemed
sufficient for the protection of the
entrance to the Delaware river.
Senator Hezekiah Harrington was
seriously injured on Saturday. and is
not expected to be out for several days
to come. Senator Harrington was
standing upon log at his home in
Harrington watching fox chase when
the log suddenly rolled and he was
thrown to the ground. His shoulder
was dislocated, and it was feared for
time that he was injured internally.
He is not expected to be out for several
days. Mr.. HarringtOn's illness will
leave the vote in the Senate at Dover
tie on all political questions.
The Democratic press of Delaware
are shouting almost unanimously for a
better ballot, to insure secrecy and
purity. Even Governor Reynolds cries
fraud. The reforms should begin with
the present Governor and take in the
tax collectors and those VINO passed
such outrages laws that have cheated
the people out of their franchise for
years. The Democrats had the same
weapons turned against them at this
election that they have used for years
with such good effect that they have
been able to hold the State almost un-
interruptedly for the past thirty years.
-Republican.
LIQUOR DEALERS ASSOCIATION
The annual meeting of the Licensed
Liquor Dealers Association of Will
mington was held at the Fame House
engine house Monday evening. In
addition to the election of officers for
the ensuing year several matters of
importance were discussed by the
members of the association. The
association discussed the movement
among the temperance people for local
option and steps were taken to place
their claims before the General Assem-
bly,. The matter was finally left to
the executive committee, who will go
to Dover to see that the liquor men
are given an opportunity to be heard
when the matter comes up. When
spoken to in regard to the movement a
member of the executive committee
said that local option would never be
come a Jaw here. He said the State
derived 100000 every year from the
liquor revenue and the State treasurer
could not we'll do without this money.
THE RAILROAD BILL.-Representa-
tive {. l.. Moore of Sussex says the
bill he introduced in the House on
Tuesday afternoon, to incorporate the
Diamond State Railroad Company, is
no, a Baltimore & Ohio enterprise. but
backed by local capitalists. There will
be some fan before the bill passes, if it
ever gets through the House alive.
The Pennsylvania Railroad does not
look with much favor upon the bill
aud there's liable to be fun when ii is
called up again IN the House. Mr..
Moore is Of the bright young men
from Sussex and knows how to work
in "A Legislative body. He is a fighter
that never knows when he is whipped.
He Will undoubtedly make a name for
himself during tins session.
The motive power to be used on the
proposed road last week will be gas
generated from gasoline The system
has been successful in Germany. A
railroad is being built between Girls
field and Tangier Sound, the motive
power will be gas. Cars equipped with
gas engines can be run for 81 day
The engine is to be placed under the
body or seats OF the car. 1t is rumOred
that this company proposes to run
road parallel with the Delaware rail-
road for the entire length and 80 in for
the business of the Peninsula.
A GOOD SELECTION.-The Peninsula
NelUs has this to say Of Speaker Wat
son:
We believe that the people of Del
aware are to be congratulated heartily
on the selection OF Hon. William T..
Watson as Speaker of the State Senate.
Mr. Watson Is a Democrat. sound in
the belief of the cardinal principles of
his party but he differs from many
Delaware Democrats in that he is not
blind zealOt, willing to be party to
trickery and fraud for partisan success.
With him honest government is para
mount to politics. He has not only
the honest welfare of the people at
heart, but the nerve to take a correct
position aud maintain it If convinced
that he is right, ne has the strength to
maintain his position in the face of the
threats of his enemies, and in spite of
the pleadings Of friends This estimate
of the man Is not a theory, but founded
on his record as citizen and as a
State Senator for the past two years
In Milford, especially, Senator Wat
son is appreciated by both Democrats
and Republicans for the enemies he
has made. Two years ago he opposed
and defeated several schemes to deplete
the State Treasury, thereby ncurring
the enmity and opposition of not a few
of his party, notably Governor Rey-
nolds, who defeated Senator Lacey for
denomination for the cause that he
agreed with Senator Watson. Two
years ago Mr.. Watson made enemies
of the Dover Ring because he would
not passively allow them to rule both
State and country policy and dictate
legislation At the last session Mr.
Watson was chairman of the Senate
committee on corporations, and in
that position could be neither bullied
nor cOaxed by the attorneys of cor.
poratiOns. 1t was for this reason that
Mr.. Watson incurred the hatred oI
Willard Salisbury, the attorney for
several Wilmington corporations. In
view Of Mr.. Watson's record and the
fact that he is no ones political servant
or tool, it is not surprising that the
wire-pullers and political schemers
should have opposed his election as
Speaker of the Senate. How bitterly