Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1901-09-19
BOMBAY HOOK ISLAND ROADS,
Attempt of the smyrna Times to Dcren,
Levy Court Cninlnissinnnr Rnrrs

Attempt of the smyrna Times to Defend
Levy Court Commissioner Bags.
Special Correspondence of Gazette and journal.
Smyrna, Sept i3. The Smyrna Times,
IN this week 8 issue, attempts 10 defend
Levy Court Commissioner w. Ii,
Hasgs, and critioises the Smyrna CORE.
spondent of Every Evening over the
article whoh appeared last Friday.
The Times says the article 10 mis-
leading, and lays the blame for the
waste OF money on the Bombay Hook
Island roads to the old Democratic
Levy Court, because 1t did not fix the
break when it could have been done at
cost not exceeding S2C0. The fact II
that 1t is almost matter of impossi.
bility to stop the water from coming on
the Woodland Beach road, for this is
the road in question, and the only one
used to any extent in that section OF
the county. Besides the large break
along the Smyrna River, where much
money has heen wasted, there is a large
break along the bayshore north Of
Woodland Beach. which is rs fest wide
and l6 feet deep; also, number OF
smaller breaks. On the south side of
the road there is large break, and also
one along the old Smyrna Creek, which
empties into I.eipsio Creek. From ali
these POINTS, the water flows across the
woodland Beach road, which is cunsid-
ersbly lower than Delaware Bay.
These breaks are all slong private
property, except the one at SMYRNA
River, and the old Levy Court agreed
TO assist the property overs in making
repairs to the banks of the river and
bay, but the court had no power to 90
on the private property and make the
repairs.
But why all this anxiety on the part
OF Commissioners Baggs over the break
along Smyrna River? This is easily
explained by those who attended the
session of the Levy Court while the
matter was being discussed. Mr.. Bapgs
nd not care anything about the peopls
OF Woodland Beach, or those who
wanted to drive over the road, He was
Interested in the philadelpbia n
Smyrna Transportation Co., and stated
to the other members of the court. thar.
If its break were not fixed, sand bars
would form in the river, and il would
be impossible for the steamer George
+. Brady to get out. There is great
indignation over this matter and the
way the county's money has been
wasted. The people have the highest
regard for the steamboat company, hut
are seriously opposed to spending
several Thousand dollars of their money
to benefit private corporation when
1t is the duty of the Federal govern.
ment to do the work.
The friends of Mr.. Baggs claim that
the Levy Court is equally divided
politically. This is not true, as the
last Legislature made the clerk of the
peace, who Is Republican, a member
OF that body. They also give the i'm
preston that THEN attorney is Demo
erat, This is not the fact. Frank II.
Davis, Republican, IS the attorney.
The attempt of the Times to defend
Mr.. Baggs occasions much surprise.
HIS action over the Bombay Hook
island roads is being denounced BY the
most prominent taxpayers, irrespective
OF politics, in all sections of the county.
Particularly is this SO in Duck Creek
hundred.