Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1896-10-22


method of disposing of material dredged
from these channels; and
Whereas, The experience of the
past justly entities the plans and
methods of the United States Engineer
Department to be received with tho
highest confidence; therefore
Resolved, That the Philadelphia
Maritime Exchange protest against the
unwarrantud criticism and censure of
the methods of the government in
carrying on these improvements, and
reasserts ite confidence in the propriety
and success of the plans which are in
operation for tho Improvement Of the
localities named.
" Resolved, That copy of this action
OF the Philadelphia Maritime Exchange
be transmitted to tho Secretary of War
and to Major q. W. Raymond. Corps
OF Engineers United Suites army
A special committee OF three was
appointed, consisting of President
George L. Earnshaw and Messrs.
Thomas Winsmore, and George d.
Ali, to represent the Maritime Ex-
change at the hearing before the Port
Penn Dixie Board in this city Friday.
,BENEFIT TO DELAWARE INTERESTS.
1t 10 believed th at the visit Of the
United States engineers to Wilmington
Friday, when they heard expressions
OF opinion concerning the Liston Point
dixie, will result beneficially to Della
ware interests. 1t is true none of the
engineers gave any definite information
on this point, but the inference was
given that the welfare of Delaware
would be taken into consideration in
improving the channel of the river.
There was not the slightest un-
pleasantness or i'll feeling in anything
that was said or done during the hear
ing, which dispelled the impression
which had prevailed among some
people that veritable war existed
between the Philadelphia engineers
and residents OF the State of Delaware.
Senator GRAY, ex-senator Higgins
and Gen. James II. Wilson presented
the Delaware side of the case in no
unmistaken language, which must have
been something of revelation to the
engineers. Senator Gray stated very
plainly what nature has given to Della
wareans along the river front, and,
while he admitted the broad powers of
the government engineers in regard TO
navigation matters, and also the neces-
sity of keeping the Delaware river
navigable, made the assertion that the
river must not be improved at the ex-
pense of the people of Delaware. In
fact, he advised the engineers to
dredge the Dan Baker shoal tn the re-
quired depth and gave assurance that
If the appropriation was not large
enough the people OF Delaware would
assist the Pennsylvanians in obtaining
more money for the work. He en-
phasized the statement that while the
Delaware river is being improved the
streams and towns in this State must
not be shut out from the sea. Other
Delawareans spoke in the same strain,
ex-senator Higgins giving figures con-
corning the interests affected in this
| State.
| At the dinner at A. L. Ainscow' q
cafe, which followed the hearing, the
| talk continued in an informal way,
and during this informal discussion
President Lawton of the Board oil
Trade assured the PhiIadelphi that
Delaware was also interested in having
a navigable channel in the Delaware
river, and IL more money is needed to
accomplish the desired end the Board
Of Trade in Wilmington will cooperate
with the Pennsylvanians in another
appeal to Congress-.
Congressman Willis. who joined the
party at dinner, gave similar assurance,
and, with Senator Gray, Congressman
| Willis and the Wilmington Board o.
Trade in favor of improving the Della
ware, the visitors must have felt that
in learninn this they were well paid
for maxim the trip to Wilmington.
| ~, Int, laa h
impression that the people of Delaware
were opposing their interests, but to.
day that opinion is changed.
All that Delaware wants is that oul
river and creeks be kept free from
bstIuctious. and it is confidently OK
pected that in improving the Delaware
river between Liston Point and Reed,
Island nothing will be done that viii
work TO the dotriment of the interests
Of Delaware.
The dinner WAS as pleasant as thu
hearing and the Philadelp hans left OF
the B. % T., ". & b. train apparontl,
greeably surprised at what they hat
heard and seen.
When the work was stopped on th,
dixie Congress, at tho Instance o
Senator Gray, authorized the appoint
|
make an examination into the con
dition of affairs and report to Congress
early in December. The visit here wa
part of that investigation and will uu
doubtedly have great deal to do witt
the character Of the report which will
be submitted to Congress, and as tina
body stopped the work it cannot b,
resumed except by act Of Congress. /
ia believed that the report will favol
such an alteration in tho original plan
as will do no harm to the people o
this State, and if it is of that natur,
it is quito likely the work will be re
sumed. If 1T is not SO, Delaware
representations - Senator Gray ano
Representative Wilis-will undoubt
eddy have the alteration made in Con
gresa They will do nothing, however
that will work against the interests o
Philadelphia or the shipping ON tn
Delaware river.
WHAT RETURN DIXIE WOULD MEAN.
A large property owner at Port Penn
who was in Wilmington on Friday
stated that he and other land owner
in his section will vigorously oppos
the building of a return dixie from In
main proposed dixie to the mouth o
the Appoquinimink, which was sug
gested in proposed change, as i
would make tho water in front of Por
Penn veritable frog pond. The objec
of the return dixie would be to proven
the filling up of the mouth of tn
Appoquinimink, which, it is claimed
would follow the building of the mail
| IL ah .flss hal s,f