Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1900-12-27
A FREE ROAD ADVOCATED
Wilmington g. Christiana Turn
pike Under Discussion.
A PUBLIC MEETING AT STANTON
Committee to Take'Any Action
Deemed Necessary.
Users of the Highway Complain of Its Com
dition and Take Steps Looking Toward
Having 1t Improved-Aiay be Acquired
by q Trolley Company.

About 90 users OF the wilmington u |
Christiana turnpike tbetter known as
the Newport rike), chiefly residents of
Newport and Stanton and the con-
tiguous territory, met Thursday at
Stanton Hall, in the town OF Stanton,
for the purpose OF discussing matters
pertaining to the turnpike, complaint |
leaving been made about its condition.
After much discussion DIR. Francis L.
Springer and Charles M. Groome of
Cbristiana hundred, Thomas Pilling
and Alyan Satterthwaite of Mill Greek |
hundred and William j.. Stroud of
White Clay Creek hundred were mp
pointed committee to make an in
yestigatiop of the alleged defects in the
road and take such steps as they deem
expedient to correct the matter, IL cor
rection is found necessary and II q legal
plan Of action can be formulated.
The following persons attended the
meeting: William b. Currinder, Will
liam Robinson, b. Mitchell, Edward
Oskin, Charles Kitchens, John Jones.
William Chandler, j. Marvel, W. I.
Jones, j. Powell, Francis Smith, j. U.
Pillirg, Charles M. Groome, DR..
Francis I. Springer, William J. Stroud,
James Brown, Alexander Everson,
Constable James F. Porter, Samuel
Mccoy, H. Runer, Thomas Hawthorne,
Henry Churchman, Harry Pordham, ].
Whiteman. r.. Banks, j. Mitchell, j,
Higgins, William Groome, Samuel Kill
gore, Daniel Green, b. A. Groves, Will
liam Chandler, j. Brown, Samuel
Taylor, j. Banks, Edward Banks,
Francis Walker, j. Lyman, Alvan
Satterthwaite, Henry Lyman, Charles
McAllister, u. Dickey, Charles Diokey.
William Nelson, August Krenan, Will
liam Chambers, X. Chambers and j,
Campbell.
On motion of DR.. Francis l.. Springer
of Newport, Thomas Pilling of Kia-
mensi mills WAS selected as temporary
chairman, and after Mr.. Pilling had
stated the object of the meeting Alex
snder EveIson of Stanton was elected
permanent chairman; Harry Pord.
ham, vice chairman, and Jonathan o.
Springer secretary.
After organization had been effected
Mr.. Pilling made few remarks He
said the people are paying for some
thing they do not get. He pointed out
some defects in the road.
William L. Lyman of this city, repre-.
eenting the people interested in the
movement for better road, being
present with copy of the company 8
charter, passed by the Legislature ON
March Both, 1916, read, at the request
OF the meeting, sections therefrom,
giving its chief provisions and showing
what the company was chartered for.
One feature of the charter sets forth
-, that IL smooth surface must be made
! and the road must be kept 10 good
condition. Mr.. Lyman said it did not
require much Of speech to convince
the people using the turnpike that
probably the managers had not lived
UP to the requirements of the charter.
He pointed out that the object of the
meeting was to better the conditions
and made the suggestion that com
mittee be appointed to ascertain the
beet method to correct the apparent
lack of attention and report at future
meeting. He gave it as his opinion
that better road would be beneficial
to the community and would enhance
the value of property thereon. 1t was
question in his mind whether legisla
4 tive action was necessary or there was
sufficient authority vested in the courts
DR.. Springer favored Mr.. Lynam's
suggestions. He said none of thos'
present wanted to rob the company o
It's rights. All they wanted was goot
road. He moved that the chairman
appoint committee Of five with powe
to act.
The motion prevailed and the appoint
.ment of the committee followed. afte
which there was general discussion
the object being to learn the sentimen
of those present.
Charles M. Groome of Newport sal,
L he thought the people wanted fire.
road to Wilmington, and his remari
was received with applause.
Mr.. Lyman said it would be for tn
committee to determine what would b
the most advantageous action, to take
y DR.. Springer said he would like +
sea a FREQ road to Wilmington, but b
thought the proposition to place tn
matter in the hands OF a committee wa
the best, the committee to determin
its own plan of action.
On motion of Mr.. Groome, it wa
decided to employ Mr.. Lyman as pei
manent counsel for the committee.
Daniel Green of Newport said, ill,
Mr.. Groome, he favored free road
i Wilmington. The matter Of taxation
he continued, would be considered. bl
he thought the people would rather
taxed. He thought the company We
charging an exorbitant price for whit
lit was giving. He said he had bee
told by a friend that it cost him
'C6nlS To 10 10 "lliutuStoh ahh ioNai
with q four-horse team. Speaking II
himself, he said it would lie about |
we'll for him to use the railroad.
Constable James +. Porter of New
port said il nothing else could be dol
1t was possible to make another rot
over the marshes between Newport ar
Wilmington.
\ Edward Nelson of Newport thougl
it would be good idea TO ask Il
Legislature to authorize and direct 81
Levy Court to buy the road at fa
price, or acquire it by oondemnati'
proceedings, and make it free roa
Il He pays road tax and was of &
opinion that after man pays his ro
i tax be should have the opportunity
i make free trip to his neighbors ii
wanted to.
/ Mr.. Pilling thought it would
II necessary to buy the stock.
1t was intimated that an effort "
being made to- get majority OF Z
/ stock at s5 share, whereupon N
/ Porter wanted to know il it would
possible for the prospective new own'
to run trolley line along the ron
and It was the opinion of some th
the owners could do 30 il they saw
Mr.. Lyman said he had been inform
that some trolley people had aoqulr
br were about to acquire 400 OF the
shares of stock, for the purpose, it
said, Of getting absolute control OF
road 10 order that they. may buile