The sun., 1898-02-26
S[ No !DNS OF MURPHY FOR A WILMINGTON DAY. A FEN
Move For a Big Celebration in
Thi, City.
FOR pOWN-THE-STATE PEOPLE
IN Industrial Parade Suggested in
patc---Inte crest in the Scheme.

patc--.Interest in the Scheme.
/ In connections with the gnant by the
Pennsylvania Railroad OF stop-oyer priv
ileges to the lower peninsula in Will
mington, a movement has sprung up
and is at present being freely discussed
by local merchants, lmking to the
setting aside of day, or two or three
days, at the opening OF the month Of
| May, as an occasion when down-the
State people will be asked to pay a
special visit to this city for the purpose
of learning something more about it
than tnry now know.
The persons who have suggested the
idea are confident that it will have, il
carefully executed by the merchants Of
the city, strong tendency to excite
extensive business relations between
Wilmington and lower Delaware, as
well as some parts of the Eastern shore
OF Maryland.
The idea, as conveyed yesterday by
one OF these PERSONS briefly is this:
! That the local merchants meet and
make preparations for the celebration OF
a "WiImington Day. or ''Wilmington
| Days" when the weather becomes pro-
pitious for it.
That on such day or days the people
of lower Delaware and ths eastern shore
Of Mary land, shall be asked to come to
see the city and join in the celebration,
the railroad company to be asked for
sp cial rate tickets for the occasion.
That on such day or days the fire
companies and the Police Department
will form parade as part Of the celehra
ton and that the city take upon itself
holiday attire and holiday sentiment for
the entertainment OF the visitors.
| Several market street merchants
showed great enthusiasm over the pro-
ject yesterday and discussed it at great
| length. Some of the members OF the
| Board Of Trade also talked about it and
expressed an intention to bring the sub
! ject to the attention OF the Board at its
next meeting
pressed it as their belief that the idea
can be sllcccssful y carried ont if all the
merchants OF the city will give it their
support. inasmuch as it embodies some
! thing hat local business men have long
needed, a chance to prepare to show the
people Of the peninsula just what and
! how mGch they have and how much
ch,aner 1t would be for these pcup" TO
purchase mere Just v hat they ynto Phia-
dclphia to buy.
Approached for his view on the subject
Chief OF Police John +. Doan Yesterday
said,
Il have heard the idea discussed by
several OF our business mon. | think it
my opinion if it is unanimously carried
out it will be Il strong stimulus to the
movement to get people Of the State to
deal with our local merchants. Indeed,
mig ght say that will give the sugges-
ton whatever encouragement | can.
II think it would be a matter OF in
tercst to the people down the State to
know just the extent Of our city gov
ernmcnt, and just whu, We have here to
show them. II the idea is followed up
and the celebration suggested arranged,
the Police and Fire Departments would
| am sure, gladly contribute toward its
success. We have Il good-sized Police
Department, composed Of well drilled
men, something I think the down State
people are not fully aware OF. Whining
toms Fire Department is one of the best
in the country, owning engines that are
far superior to those in 1se in many
large cities, being Of the latest improved
ty]c. A good display by the Police and
Fire Departments in parade would, ]
think, surprise some Of the lower
peninsula people.
you may Say that ! earnestly hope
that the idea will be carried to Il Success
fuI lsSllr."
Mayor Henry G. McLear, when spoken
to about tn" project, said he thought 1t |
conl.nendab!c. and one worthy of the ,
immediate and united attention and |
favorable consideration OF all local busi. /
neSs men.
Of course those who have suggested |
he project have not yet attempted 70
outline the celebration in any extensive
detail, but if the scheme assumes tangi-
bic shape soon Il cy will be prepared 70
give plans for it that will unduuIte lily
Lc highly appropriate. TIE opinion Of
these men 1T present is that the main
ieatur, Of the celebration could be an in
ll'lS(l fl tNlt III WIN II All I''Htll uIVI'
chants and business men would be repre-
srntrd 10y displays Of their wares etc.
>tlch indl StriaI parade+ are Not
uncommon in the city Of Philadelphia
and many o'hrr cities. In fact they are
lnnuuI occurrences in western cities, and
l,r held in those places for the purpose
If stimulating business. With such an
attraction arranged for this city, those
NlI" have suggested the celebration are
irnlv convinced that it would be the
1rgiIlning Of the rnd Of the great grab
II Delaware patronage long cnjnycd by
merchants. I
Two or three local merchants wEo
ave interested themselves will in II few
lays take steps toward giving it tangible ;
nrn. These merchants are convinced
hat one day at least could be convel-
emily set aside for the celebration and
hat by a combination Of all the business
lcn the down State visitors could Mc
handled us the guests Of
he city in much the same way as were ;
he officers and men OF the gunboat ,
Wilmington.
II. \. Richardson, Of Dover, was II ,
visitor on Wednesday.
A new stylish lady's b lue, made Of
vnr,1n,, ,,,otnr;,Iu l., v,loiu 1tuhIo Y