Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1901-04-18
Smith SUCCEEDS BABCOOK.
Eleventh Ward Councilman Appointed
Street S,tueryisnr.

Eleventh Ward Councilman Appointed
81 Street Supervisor.
City Councilman Harry Il. Smith Mon
day became a street supervisor, having
been appointed by the Directors of the,
Street and Sewer Department to sue
coed William II. BsbcoclS. Republican,
resigned. He was assigned to the South.
western district, being all of. that SEQ
tion OF the city south OF Eighth street
and west Of Market, which was form
erly looked after by Mr.. Babcocls. Mr..
Smith, who went Oh duty Monday, is
Democrat and has represented the
Eleventh ward in Council for several
years. His new position pays only $40
month. but IL is understood that the
new board contemplates remodeling the
street supervision work, which will in
yolve an increase in the Fay of super
visors. IH H5 a,.ei d
Under a resolution Of former board,
the terms Of the secretary of the hoard
and the street commissioner will expire
on the first III esday in May, hut as
they can continue to eerve until their
successors are selected and the new
board does not feel bound by that
resolution, it does not consider itself
impelled to be hasty in making the
rrol osed changes. The SUI eryisdrs.
according to a member of the board
are not employed for any specified
term and changes can be made among
them at any time. This applies as we'll
to other employees who are virtually
working by the zionth and week.
The Significance of the appointment
of Mr.. Smith, il there is any signifi-
canoe, is in doubt. Some aspirants for
appointment uuder the new board ex-
prese the belief that this move means
that Patrick Neary will succeed Frank
W. Piersou as street commissioner, in
view OF the fact that Robert L. Getting
ham. who is also al applicant Tor the
Office and is said to hive the support
Of Director Fahey, is resident OF the
Eleventh ward, IN which Nj. Smith
also resides. Friends Of Mr.. Getting
ham, on the other hand, say there ia
no Significance attaching t. the
appointment of MI. Smith, as there
are three other supervisors to be ap-
pointed Tor an assistant street com
missionrr aud two supervision s, and they
will most likely come from other parts
Of the city.
There has been a Pretty general be
lief that Mr.. Smith, in the event of 40
ttplluB StTpob bupoTflbOibHlpy WouHe
he compelled 10 resign his seat in Cit,
Council, but when City Solicitor Conrat
was spoken to about the matter Monda,
morning he said be was Of the opinion
that there is nothing in the city, charte
or laws prohibiting member OF Coun
Gil from holding another office 'unde
the city government. That being tn
case, 1t ia likely that Mr.. Smith will
retain his seat in Council. He is ais
au aspIrant for reelection from hi
/ ward.
A street supervisor, although paid
small salary, has large responsibility
1t is his duty to keep in touch with al
street matters in his district, and max
daily reports at the office Of the depart
ment, as to detects in street beds, acct
dents, damage by storm or anythin
else Of the kind, and is expected to ge
pretty well over his district syery day
lie must watch all street work while
is in progress on his district. He
directly responsible to the street com
missioner.