The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1902-02-04

The first step in the hight over TIL
Wilmington and Christiana turnpik
was taken last night when meeting
of farmers and business men held il
Newport instructed Samuel h. Nc
Coy to lodge com plalnt with Magis
trate Yates that the turnpike Is ou
Of order and nnfit for travel. Wher
DR.. f. L. Springer called the meeting
to order there was representative
gathering Of farmers and busines!
men who have been paying double
tolls for twenty years contrary tt
law. Between Wilmin. ton and New
port the charges are four cents anc
between Newport and Stanton five
cents each way for a single team.
The condition Of the pike is such
that in some places it is almost i'm
passa BILE. The Wilmington City Rail-
way Company during the past yeal
obtained control Of the stock and
has built a trolley road along the
pike. The pike was torn up and fol
years past has been neglected. Mr..
Mccoy was one Of the Speakers at
the meeting last night and declared
he would pay no more tolls until the
pike was put In order. He lodged
his complaint last night and to-day
the Justice of the Peace gave the pre-
cept to County Constable Porter to
summon three freehoders to con-
denim tie pike.
Then notice will he served on the
toll gate keepers and they are under
the law compelled to let teams pass
free until the turnpike is put in or
der.
The farmers and business men have
been complaining for years of the
wrctchcd condition of the turnpike
and they have been ignored by the
company. i.
The tolls were heavy and the dam
age TO the wagons and carriages
reached such a stage that endurance
ceased to be "a virtue and the men
were compelled to take decided action.
The result will be watched with
deep interest.
A. W, Eyerson was the first speak
er and after commenting on the loss
sustained by the people who have
been brow beaten said he for one was
tired of the treatment given to the
people. lie was in harmony with the
movement for better roads.
In Christiana hundred there were
some excellent roads and there is no
valid reason why the people of New
Castle county should not be rid of
tolls and have a good road.
lie understood that an effort
was now being made to have the pike
covered with gravel. The law gov
erning the road was read by II. A.
Dempsey. a general discussion fol-
lowed.
Section l3. Provides that when
the company neglects to keep the
road in proper order ther the COM
muters can 60 before any Justice Of
the PEACE and he issue precept to
the Constable whOshall SUNNI on three
iudicious frecholders TO examine
same. Upon the oath Of these lree-
holders notice shall be given to the
tol! gate keepers and the tolls shall
cease.
Samuel II. Mccoy understood that
the company was willing ogive up
the pike with the right reserved for
the railroad and,he understood that
the Railway Company was willing 10
rent it for 81 year.
Mr.. EverSon 1t is time for action.
We have talked it over long enough.
lr answer to question lie said he
was willing ior anything tobetter the
condition Of the road. We are tired
OF being throttled at every. gate and
If they want to give it up why persist
to still collect tolls? Let them throw
it open.
Dr. Springer and Mr.. Mccoy stated
double rates had been charged for