Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1897-10-14

Gen. w. f. Smiths administration.
The committee, after going exhaustlvely
into the matter, expressed the opinion
that 1.-THE best interests of the city
would not be served by asking sub.
stitute for Gen. Smith," and favor
the formation OF project for the per-
manent improvement of the christina
River and Wilmington harbor. The
report was adopted unanimously aud
was followed by the adoption Of resoln-
lions designed TO make the recon-
mendation effective. Senator George
Gray was present and congratulated the
board on the step taken. The matter
Of a silver service for the gunhoat Will
mington also received the consideration
Of the board and steps were taken to
revive the project, a motion being
adopted to appoint committee of
three to cooperate with the old COM
mittee to raise 81, 800 in 10 days.
President William Lawton presided
and Secretary Daniel W. Taylor was in
his plaee. About 90 citizens were
present, among them being Mayor Henry
g. McLear. The report OF the river
and harbor committee was handed to
the secretary by Il. Tatnall Warner OF
the committee in the absence of A. q.
McCausland, its chairman. The re-
port was as follows:
REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE.
The committee was appointed by you to
confer with General William F. Smith.
United States agent, in regard to certain
criticisms of his administration contained
in a certain preamble and resolution
passed by the Board of Port Wardens and
referred by that body to the Board OF
Trade for approval, as follows
Whereas, The Christiana river and VIII
mington harbor is seriously in need and
well worthy of improvement and the best
attention of the United States Govern
ment; and
Whereas, The engineer in charge reports
in June 1895. that he has well defined
channel thirteen feet deep at low tide
from the Delaware river to the mouth o
the Brandywine. Notwithstanding the fact
that in June, 1885, and June, 1856, he re
ported that there was a channel fifteei
feet deep from the Delaware river Il
Third street bridge, and since that tim
the United States Government has appro
priated s19O,657.4S for the Improvement
of the Chrstiana river and Wilmington
Sarbor. After the expenditure of which /
appears, that the depth of water grow
less, that is from fifteen to thirteen fee
in ten years; and
Whereas, In June, 1885, there was &C
tually only nine feet of water at low It'd
between Third street bridge and tn
mouth of the Brandywine, instead Of fiji
teen feet, as reported in 1885; and
Whereas The business appertalning
the Christiana river, and Wilmington har
hor is so managed, that of the appropria
tions made and other moneys availahl
amounting TO $3.50 ,657.4S only about $l23
600 has been used in actual work, the re
mander being required for office expense
said expense being about IS per cent.
the appropriations; therefore, be it
Resolved, That we petition the Honor
able Secretary of War to place the Chris
tana river and Wilmington harbor in Il
hands Of some person who will thorough
identity himself with the commercial il
tarest of Wilmington. and the needs Of II
Christiana river and Wilmington harbo
as we believe this harbor Will never
properly improved, or a sufficient dept
of water secured so long as It's affairs r.
main under the present management al
are conducted as they have been in Il
past. in exempitication Of this. we ha
to say, that. according 10 the engineer
report of June, 1895, there was an actu
channel of fifteen feet Ct water at low ii
in the Christiana river from the Delawa
river to Third street bridge, and in Jur
1897, there was less than nine feet b
tween the same points,
er,i s-,i,b n. ,a,lfn.,r,,,,t IN .e,,i,',.
with Mn, tbt rotr,,o 1ort,i,a1 Il, t,a ~,
amble and resolutions.
INSPECTED THE MAPS.
General Smith placed at the comma
Of your committee thu files of his repo
To the government certain laws Of
United states controlling his action a
limiting hi to certain lines that !
him but little power for the exercise
his judgment. also maps and tracings 81
ting forth very clearly the work exccul
under his direction. These maps form
interesting study and are submitted he
with,
The integrity of these maps cannot
qu,Ss'o y y aiy ohe @ha rs fapit M
The limo Of con,,,lo,tor n ,,ra,t,,i,,,. "
and Ibo dsto ~ s,,,.,.oy as r ',,,5,
accounts M, M ,t,,ra,,+ dt.,",,',i,....
renorts nj tho e,,,insor In, c,,a,.,s .,
and the statement II ~ co,,,,,i,t1, g.
PICARD of Port wardcns ,ri,. sba,,t
as shown mnst NOT bo,ra,,1r
construed to show N arc,,nniatton n !,
terial being depositod daily in mo VI
from se,yaga or ctbc,. gn,,,ro. - - ~
NV movement AZ INA MA arl sn, .,
the sides of The channel INTO Tho cb,,
proper This movement Is csused
passing steamers and moe in ~ 81