Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1895-02-28
specialcorrsspondence Of Gazette and journal


Special Correspondence Of Gazette and Journal,
SMYRNA, Feb. 25.-0ne week from to-
day. March fth, the annual election of
Town Commissioners comes off, and as the
time approaches there is considerable in
terest taken in the several factions about
town. 1t is matter of great Importance
to the people to get strong, intellectual
men into the Town Council, who will at
all times look after the best interest of the
town. The growth of Smyrna in the last
few years and the number of new improve
lnents which have bonded the town to a =
heavy extent, require more careful atten-
ton and forethought than ever before. To
be Town Commissioner now means more
than to sit in the chamber and pass upon
few bills &c., but with the great interest
OF the sewer system and electric lights at
hand, with bonded Indebtedness to pay
off, the office is no little obligation to as
sumo,
LAST YEARS BITTER FIGHT.
Last year the fight assumed one of the
most bitter contests the town has ever
known, and at that time there seemed to
be feeling to push out the older and con-
servative heads and put an untried element
in. Hence strong faction set to work to
accomplish this end and the movement
resulted in the election of H. ID. Boyer,
John Cosgritf and w. A. FAIRIES, the latter,
however, not being member of that fac
ton but previous member reelected. &
The matter had been skilfully arranged by
the leaders of that facUion and they won
the election.
The memorable organization which fol.
lowed was sad reflection on that Council.
immediately at their organization the ma
lority which only took four members, set
about to defeat the reelection of John H.
Hotfecker to the presidency of the Council. .
The situation was very evident to Mr.. Hof- |.
iftfv hat has uf-
BILE for some S4, 200 which was borrowed to ]
complete the recent. improvements. he
being bondsman in the case. he arose and
made strong address, in which he stated J
that IL it was the desire of the Council to
remove him from the chair he must be
relieved of the financial obligation relative 1.
to the negotiation of bonds which he (
| effected under his care as president of thei
| Council. 1t was the desire of that faction
to put William FAIRIES IN the chair, but :,
when they saw what would be the critical ,
| situation by the removal of their former
chairman they reconsdered the matter
and made John H. Hoffecker president.
| Despite the unpleasant feeling which at ,
| tended the organization, which they have
erased from the minutes nothing has since
happened in the Council that would cause Y
any undue criticism. Every man set to
work for the best interests of the town.
| With John III. Hoffecker in the chair and
| w, ii. FAIRIES as secretary, and with strong
| committees, seemingly each man for the
proper place, the town has been run as;
conscientiously as they knew how. The
| public work was well attended to- and by
the last meeting night satisfactory settle
ment will be made with a statement
printed for the benefit of the people. The
new improvements of the town have been
| run on an economical basis, and every
thing has been accomplished without in-
creasing the taxes of the people.
TWO COMMISSIONERS TO ELECT.
he'election next Monday is to fill two
vacancies caused by the expired terms OF
John III. Hoffecker and William FAIRIES.
There are seven commissioners elected for
Il term of three years. Two are elected
the first, two the second and three the
third year; SO arranged that only two or
three terms expire in the same year. The
present commissioners are John H. Hof-
feoker, William Fairies j. q. Robinson,
William Lewis, W. a. Fairies, II. ID.
Boyer and John Cosgriff. The first two
named go out this year and who will be
their successors is question that will
agitate our citizens during the coming
week. The records of the two retiring
commissioners make an interesting con-
trast. John IL. Hoffecker has figured
prominently in the Town Council for years
and has made one of the best records of
any town commissioner that Smyrna has
ever had. All work coming into his hands
has been conscientously administered, aud
during his long service he has solved many
linotty questions, For % years he has
been a member of the Town Council, for
Is Of which he has been its faithful presi-
dent. William FAIRIES has only served q
term OF three years and has faithfully
performed his duty.
What work is being done toward elect
ing their successors has not developed
enough to give an accurate account at this ,
writing. John II. Hotfecker, in all proba-
bility, will not allow his mama TO be used
as a candidate, as he feels that his mind is
not in harmony with the indicated change J
in administering public affairs. There is
Il great deal OF talk and secret work among
the factions and whatever candidates they
may decide ON, will not be definitely .
known until within q day or SO of tho
election.