Evening journal., 1895-02-05
Naeaed-Naw oItr RuIIdInea.


One Of the things which Wilmingto-
mans have little cause to BE- proud Of is
its city hall aud the quarters allotted the
municipal officers
Ia other cities visitors are shown With
pride through the handsome buildings
set apart for the men who manage the
affairs Of the city, but here no such cause
for pride exists. The old ball, although
rich with historical reoollections and
when b lit was ample fer all require
ments, has long since ceased to be fit for
. city the sizs Of ours.
The Council chambers are small, low
ceiled and by no means suitable for the
meetings OF the city fathers The paper
on walls and ceiling Is torn and discol-
ored and it Is not unusual for
long strips to fall on the heads Of the
councilmen when in session When a
storm comes up the rain leaks through
and shows in great damp spots, telling
stories Of age and imperfect clapboarding,
and presaging colds and sickness
The Municipal Court room is lnconveni
ent, stufy. dark and ill-veutilated The
city clerks and mayors rooms are poorly
laid out aud by no means suitable for the
purpose for which used.
But 1t is in the Police Department that
the need Of more room and better accom-.
mediation is more plainly noticeable The
cells are cold, dark and inconvenient-
and called for the condemnation of the
members Of the Prison Reform AssocIa-
ton who visited them. The part devoted
to women prisoners is=nnfit for the pur-
pose and a disgrace to the city. The
chiefs room and the room occupied by
the captains and sergeants are small,
unhandy and lack even the smallest con-
veniences. There is no place for
the men to hang their clothing, and
no place where they can wait in
case their presence is needed al
headquarters As q consequence tbs
city has to bire large room IN the Ecke
building across the court. There is nS
room for the men to drill, and when as
sembl. before going out on their beats
the court room has to be utilized, and Il
is there that they receive their instruc
tions from the chief and captains
Access to the station house Is very
difficult. The patrol wagon with IL
contents has to either drive up to th'
Market street entrance, and the unfor-
tunate prisoner be LED through crowd
OF curious people, or else stop at th
King street gate and tho prisone
dragged or carried up steps and along
the park.
The other city offices are on lik
shabby plan The citizen who has occa
sion to visit the city treasurer, cit
auditor or tax collector, and Is no
ashamed Of the city which could furnis
no better quarters for these officers
must have little conception Of tho dis
nifty which should attach to these officers
The city engineers, building inspectC
and draughtipg department all occup
one room, the water commission, ha
meagre quarters and the health Al
street and sewer departments Al
cramped and hard to get to.
The city owns large plot reach
ing from the rear Of Mullins sto
to King street aud from u
front Of the City Hall to the eI
of the park aud could erect handsou
building at a reasonable expense, whil
could amply accommodate eli the ci
depar ments. By issuing bondg, say
$2U0 600. running for 40 years, al
placed at 81 per cent. which could
easily done, the new hall could be erects
The city now pays rental for patl
station, pays the rent Of the ofiee Of
city solicitor and Of room for the use
the police, total OF perhaps $1,000
year. This applied on the interest
the bonds mentioned, woall leave bat
small amount 70 be raised over and abb
that now raised
A new hall must come, and that bef
long Now that many laboring men
out OF work would be a good time
the extra burden which wonld Be
posed on the Taxpayers would not
heavily felt. The City Council sho
carefully investigate the matter and a
There has been a good deal Of
about Lees surrender to Grant ''ur
q sour spple tree" As matter Of fac
is now stated that Lee did not give
his word. Grant not having the b
to ask it OF the old veter u, and. tho
there was sour apple tree under VI
Lee waited for Grant, the surrender
not take place there.
Soma Of the states are nov bsginu
to realizs that they have 50 many
that they conflict with each other.
The Passing of LaGrIppe.
4. = L.