Delaware gazette and state journal., 1897-07-01
THE TOWN OF DOVER.
A Charge That it is fsehind the Times, an
nenanna fsIxen I'm Aunnnrt Iharenf.

Charge That it IL ftehind the Times, and
Reasons Given in snpport Thereof.
Editor The Gazette: Our town Of
Dover. the capital of the State and
county seat OF Kent county, from its
situation--almosr in the middle OF the
Peninsula comprising the counties OF
New Castle, Kent and Sussex in Della
ware; the counties Of Kent, Queen
Anne's, Talbot. Caroline, Dorchester,
Wicomico, Somerset and Worcester in
Maryland, aud Acccmack and Notthamp-
ton in VirgipiH-.st the mouth OF a
creek which could be easily made
navigable and with railroad accommo-
dation. and other facilities for trade
and eommeroe--ouRht to be great
centre OF commerce and very beehive
OF industry. But instead OF being such
it ia not equal 10 Importance as a
manufacturing, commercial and indus
trial centre to many towns in the State
which do not enjoy the phenomenal
advantages which Dover has enjoyed
from time immemorial.
As the seat Of the State and county
governments, the home OF men emf
/ nent as lawyers and statesmen, and the
place of residence OF men OF wealth.
Dover has heen made prominent; but
retired farmers and professional men
seldom do much TO advance a town or
city.
The population of Dover to-day is no
greater than it was 30 years ago. 1t
was about the year 1853, more than 200
years ago, that William Penn laid out
| the streets of Dover, but il was only
within the last 90 years that its in
habitants conceived the idea OF having
those streets paved and lighted. 1t
was not until the year 1881 that the
public sentiment of the town was
aroused to tho necessity of water sup
ply TO extinguish fires. and then only
| by the threatened destruction OF the
town, With its public huildings; while
as to the sanitary purposes OF water.
they are not awakened yet. Whilst
other towns in the State have en-
couraged and offered Inducements, by
giving land free and granting OK
emptions from taxation, to industria
enterprises, Dover has repealed such by
asking higl, prices for land and the as
saasment of heavy taxes.
The political economy OF Dover treat
wealth as consisting only of obiectI
capable of being used or consumed IL
tho production of more objecta of III,
same class Other towns look out no
only for the employment OF their citi
zens, but provide for them intellectual
and physical enjoyment. Nearly ever,
town of any importance has its lyceum
or Young Mems Christian Association
Wherein the youths may spend tbe,
evenings with pleasure and improve
ment. But in Dover there is nothinl
but the couventicle on Sundays and th'
iayerns during the week. There is nj
encouragement TO scientific exhibition
or lectures. Only last week the presi
dent OF Town Council interfered will
an exhibition OF the cintograph at tn
Opera House, and now ne has declaret
that we shall have no Fourth of July
Smyrna is going TO bave grand gal
day, and in that town on that day th
young American will be encouraged to
Unfurl Old Glory, gift of heroes,
Heroes who for freedom fell.
But in Dover, according 10 the pro
clamation of the president OF the Tow
Council, our national birthday mus
not he celebrated. Citizen.
Dovor, June goth, 1897.