Delaware gazette and state journal., 1896-02-13

At the meeting of the Board of
Trade Thursday night President Lawton
asked Job H. Jackson to express his
views on the road TO the river matter
Mr.. jackson said he was vigorously
opposed to it 81 cannot see any use
at all, p" he said, sin having road to
the river by any route. There would
be no advantage derived by the city or
the people. Why. il you should get to
the river bank you would have to go
l,400 feet to low water and |, 600 feet
more before you reach 10 feet of water
Therefore it would be impracticaple to
reach navigation il you should get to
the river bank. 1t would take 81, 600, 600
to accomplish anything, and as tax
payer | am opposed to the city spend
ing dollar for a road. But what we
do want to spend our money and force
on is the deepening of the Christiana
river. We have here river to our
city, and that is what we want to care
for, and not spend our money in use
less outlay to reach the river by pub
lie road.
Il am opposed to road by any
route, and il the road should be made
through our works it would damage
us to the extent of S25, 000." He said
he was not alone in the opposition to
the road to the river. He had talked
with others who thought as he did.
"A road, he said, "would bring the
people of Wilmington one thing taxes,
and only taxes. They would, therefore,
be sure of one thing-taxes Our citi
zens must not stand by and see this
thing perpetrated on them. Why the
talk about ferry to New Jersey is all
folly. While we are allowing the
natural trade from the down State
towns to go by us we cannot exnect to
get the unnatural trade from New
Jersey" He could not see one single
benefit that would be derived from
such a road, and said he would fight it
to the bitter end.
But" he continued. "if people
build plants out on the river ! will be
the first one to say put road out
there.
Mr.. Jackson held that all of Will
mington's business by water can be
handled in the Christiana if that
stream is properly cared for. He did
not think the majority of the manu-
facturers on the Christiana were in
favor of having road built to the
river. He did not think that this city
would get any ocean trade if the talked
of plan should be carried out. In con.
clusion, he stated that he did not think
the river road talk would amount to
anything.
President Lawton did not agree with
Mr.. jackson. He said that if the board
could not show that the road would
benefit the city they would not ask for
1t. Several other members spoke in
the same strain.
Anson A. Maher felt assured that If
the facilities were offered enterprises
would locate on the river larger than
such as could operate on the Chris
tiana He reiterated what Major Ray
mond had said, which was to the effect
that il the riparian rights along the
river were turned over to him (Ray-
mondl, he would guarantee that the
government would build a bulkhead
and throw the mud dredged out Of the
river at that point back of it.
The talk, however, was all informal
and no action was taken.
Vice President Reed spoke of the
necessity of the committee on harbor
improvement keeping the matter be.
fore Congress, and he made the sug.
gestion that delegation go to Wash
( ington and attend to the matter al
once. d. w. Taylor, 0. S. Purdy and
Anson A. Maher spoke in the samc
stain, and some of the members were
of the opinion that the board SHOULD
60 to Washington in body, but nc
action was taken
DIV. Taylor made an interesting re-
port of the business transacted at TIL
recent meeting of the National Boart
Of Trade, at which he and Gen. Postle
were delegates from the local body
The report was accepted and ordered
filed and the delegates extended vot
of thanks.
}. Il. Hudson reported that the com
mittee on circulars had sent out abou
800 copies The report was accepte,
and the committee was discharged
The circulars present the objects Of tn
board and have been distributed amonl
local business men.
White Brothers, Lambert j, FOUL
and David Snellenherg were electe,
members of the board.
Mr.. Reed called attention 10 the fac
that some members do not pav thei
dues promptly, but would do 80 i
called upon, and he suggested tina
some one bo authorized 10 visit mem
bers and make collections.