Evening journal., 1897-12-27
FOR PERMANENT IMPROVEMENT

commercial centre Is to improve, by ar
tiHclal means, the great advantages
with which nature has endowed It,
That city which is boldest in It's en-
terprises; which holds out substantial
and unusual inducements to commerce,
is invariably in the lead among the
great cities Of the world
Some OF the most prosperous mari
time cities to-day were at one time
practically devoid Of the great natural
advantages enjoyed by our own city;
but soundness of judgment, liberality
OF mind and boldness of execution
brought greatness and prosperity in
their train
Wherever the merchant marine Is in
duced TO go It exerts an invigorating
and healthful influence upon every
channel of trade. The shipyards, the
shops, the stores and the homes are
alike benefited by the augmented, vol
ume Of trade and the corresponding in
crease Of the amount Of money in cir
culation-
The people Of a city are too apt to
have narrow views regarding the ap-
plication of public funds. They too
often consider the benefits TO be de-
rived by individuals and lose sight en-
tirely OF the great benefit to the public
at large. There never was a great
public enterprise which did not benefit
private persons. There never will be
one. It is a natural consequence. If all
public improvements were to be held in
allegiance until every man could obtain
an equal share in the advantages aris-
ing therefrom we should be at a stand
still There would be universal stag
nation and ruin. The only thing to do ia
TO so expend public money in the maxi
ing OF public improvements that the
primary consideration shall be the pub
tic benefit, and the secondary consid-
Grafton the private benefit. That is an
equitable rule under existing condi-
tlons.
There are, in every community, men
who are sufficiently farsighted to re-
alize the trend OF a city's growth and
~ ~ AnNNci liNil AhOnNe III lNdAAl 90 W
ultimately reap a rich reward for their
foresight, business sagacity and pa
tience. When that time comes they are
held up to public criticism. Every
movement which they make, every
word which they speak and everything
which they endorse is viewed with
suspicion and distrust by the public.
But we should not lose sight of the fact
that there is not one person among
their critics who would not cheerfully
change places with them and only too
eagerly reap these same benefits If it
were possible.
That is the situation which con-
fronts us here in Wilmington Coursing
their way through our city are two
streams, both of which could be made
navigable for the largest ships. Within
a short distance from the city is the
Delaware river, one OF the most mag
nihcent streams in the world. The
land bordering upon all Of these
streams is in the possession of individ-
nails, firms. and corporations. They
had the money and the sagacity to buy
1t; they had sufficient faith in the fu-
ture OF the city to hold il, and they are
assuredly entitled to their full share in
the benefits which may arise from the
improvement of the navigation of the
three streams In question. But behind
this private ownership. and completely
overshadowing it, is the great public
benefit to be derived. II Affects fully
10000 persons in all walks of life, ano
their contribution to the fund necessary
10 effect the Project is sure to bring
more than a reasonable return.
What we need is more water. Dock.
ing facilities will take care Of them
selves. For many years our harbor hal
been sort OF sinking place for th'
niggardly sums of money contributed
by Congress. We need permanent i'm
proyements. They are infinitely cheape
IN the long run. We have had NOR
than enough Of makeshifts. We hav
dug out millions OF cubic feet of ma
terial one year only to have 1t run bacl
the next. Considering the thousands o
1NAAAAo eBSAAf An0 ChOMlA6 lO~Ndl II
most miserable one. The only thing u
do is to provide sufficient money Il
widen and deepen the channel in sue
manner as to accommodate the larges
ships ahoat, and then see to it that tn
banks are so constructed that whe
the mud is once dug out It cannot &c
back again.
When this is done Wilmington VII
be shipping centre; It will be a ship
building and ship-repairing centre;
will be a business centre, and we sha,
experience the prosperity which Liver
pool. Manchester, Glasgow and our sis
ter seaboard cities in this country an
now enjoying at our expense.
It is estimated that this work OF pul
lie Improvement will cost S7OO, 900.
Congress will give ninety per cent.
this sum, our city can well afford
give ten per cent. OF it, or more, If ne,
essary. II would be the very best il