Evening journal., 1898-04-04
MONDAY. APRIL A. 1888
THAT CONDITIONAL RE-ELEcTIoN

THAT CONDITIONAL REELECTION
The Levy Courts has at last taken
cognizance Of the condition Of things
which has existed at Third street
bridge for several years. 1t Is to he
warmly congratulated for so doing.
There is a limit to public patience and
endurance. and it had been reached in
that direction when the Democratic
majority OF the court, recognizing that
II mad suffered entirely too much criu-
clsm already for the sake OF two men
who had made such poor return Tor
favors bestowed, decided that they
must render better service or leave the
bridge. With this understanding they
were reelected. There was dispo-
sition on the part OF Chairman Scott
and Commissioner White to dispense
with their services, anyhow, but Com
missioner Mealey, although more in
fured than anyone by their continued
misbehavior and inefficiency, the
bridge being in his district, and he be
ing responsible for their appointment,
interceded for them and obtained for
them a probationary reelection.
Everyone admits that the post OF
tender OF Third street draw is an oner-
GUS one. There is heavy yehicular and
pedestrian traffic on it, and many boats
of all kinds pass through it in the
course OF day. This keeps the men
busy. but they are paid for their work
They knew that these condi-
tions existed when they accepted
the positions, and II they did
not intend to conform with the
conditions they should not have taken
charge OF the draw. A public servant
has no excuse for falling to properly
discharge the functions Of public Of
nee II he is given the proper appliances
for so doing. The draw is placed there
to turn. 1t was not placed there for
the convenience OF trafflc by water, but
for the convenience OF traffic by land.
The Christiana river being a navigab,e
stream, and under the control OF the
United States government, vessels are
presumed to have the right OF way at
all times. The draw is placed there as
n temporary bridgeway across the
channel OF the stream. and 1t must
never become permanent dixmre or
interfere with the navigation OF the
stream. The matter OF its operation is
regulated by Federal statute, with
heavy penalties prescribed for viola
tion thereof. II the tenders refuse to
turn the draw for any craft which can
not pass under It, they are liable to ar
rest and heavy fine and Imprisonment.
The Federal government presumes that
the Levy Court will place men in
charge Of that draw who will properly
and observe the statutes and also the
rules OF the Treasury Department. For
it to dootherwise is to aid and abetlaw-
lessness, and to render to the public
inefficient service when an efficient one
is righttully expected.
II the work at the bridge is more
than the men in charge Of 1t care to dc
for the wages they receive, they should
get out and make room for those whS
are willing to do the thing as it shOulC
be done, and as It is done at the othe
bridges. The draw has to be turned
That is a recognized fact. 1t was wha
II was put there for II the two mel
al present in charge OF it do not car
to do it, there are hundreds OF men 4
Wilmington who are better Democrat
and better citizens, who would be gla
to have the positions and to fill ther
to the complete satisfaction OF the pull
lie and TO the credit Of the Levy Cour
These men may be political worker
in a small way. They may control
few votes OF certain kind. But whe
the Levy Court, for the actions {
which the Democratic party is respOl
sible directly to the people, permi
them to stand between the public an
the navigation OF the Chistiana, az
commerce and the city Of Wilmingto
the party is losing more votes in
week by their inefficiency than it c;
gain in a year by their political wor
The bridge was operated before tn
were appointed. It will be operat
after they are dead and gone. They a
in no sense indispensable men. So 10
as It is operated in a proper mann
and with some semblance OF decen'
il matters not to the public whetf
those at present in charge Of it are cC
tinued in the pay of the county or
but whenthey set themselves up a
refuse TO perform their duties; WI
they defy the law and insult the peo
who pay them their wages, it is ii
for them to reform or get out.
Since they have been in charge OF
bridge it has cost the taxpayers
pretty penny for repairs. An itemi
account Of the expense would be m
interesting reading to those who C
tribute OF their substance for
maintenance OF the county COVE
ment; but when gross inefficiency
disobliging churlishness is added to
a.. l. 4.