Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1897-05-20

A somewhat larger amount was spent
in 1896 ON roads.

u hDultWuub larger diDOuut was spent
in 1896 on roads.
The usual mode of road making in
these hundreds ia to ell up the holes,
clay as it is found in each section. At
times in winter and in spring these
roads are almost impossible from slush
inches deep in dust, often uncomfort-
able and sometimes dangerous.
At Holiidaysburg in Pennsylvania and
in Upper New Jersey, they are making
good macadam roads. 90 feet in width
at cost of about 81, 800 per mile. If
therefore the hundred would agree that
s3U, 600 out of their SAB, 1858. 80, should
ba applied TO the construction of good
maca1am roads, there could be built
each year, 20 miles of such roads, or
200 miles in 10 years. Thereby every
main State ROAD in this county from
Naaman's Creek to Duck Greek would
be furnished with smooth macadam
roads, almost a paradise for cyclars, a
comfort 10 every user or traveller and a
subject Of just pride to our county, to
say nothing of the increased value of
and benefit to our farm lands arising
from good roads, winter and summer
4 cheap and durable material also
could be furnished for the streets OF
every town in the county at low cost
| 10 the consumer and yet at paying
prices for workhouse labor.
| Such labor would come in com
| petition with no considerable class OF
| outside labor. for not many wurkmen
| outside are ambitious to become stone
| brenkers. This condition is not a
dream, but potential reality actually
attained elsewhere This, however. ie
| only one OF the possible usea OF convict
labor and is thrown out merely as
| suggestion. In one of the Western
| States, the wnrkhouse Ia located on q
farm and is self sustaining. The time
has come for US 10 act. We must dc
something. The Jail at New Castle il
over crowded and inadequate. MuneS
sLent upon it would simply be thrown
away. 1t would be cheaper TO bull
anew outside of any city or towo thar
to attempt to remodel this old build
ing. There is a proposition now before
the Legislature to buy and equip at 6
cost OF many thousand dollars, d quarry
miles away from the jail. To trunspor
unGricts 10 and from tho quarry. morn
ing and evening, This would invoivt
large expense and would be suprum,
folly. There is only one safe method
Let the old jail go. Select new site
huild new modern and ample buildings
adapted to present prison methods
Take the management of the work
house out OF politics. absolutely ant
forever.
We confess to an intense and abidin,
interest in this suUjeet: our pena
System is blot and disgrace. Dali
contact with the system ma!:es one
blood boil with Indignation. Ii shoul
be blotted out at once and forever
Our present efficient aud conscientiuu
Sheriff Finn, said TO mo only yester
! day, that ii / could SEQ the working
of the system daily az he sees it,
would be more indignant. The sheriff
are not at fault. They cannot L. AXE
clean thing out Of that which is in
herently rotten and corrupt. Ever
effort at reform under ihr pressn
J system will be stricken with mora
! paralysis.
1t is our highest duty then to act an
TO act promptly. Ne owe it to th
prisoners, We owe it to society, we oE
! il to ourselves. We should helm Iii
! the prisoner cut of his idIeness an
vice, ami give him decent, helpful an
; ! reforming employment Society us