Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1905-01-14
observation-disclosures

CO-EDUCATlON.
To the preceding Legislature ex-
pressed my conviction that in the in
terest OF diffused and more extend
ed intelligence, and of juctice to the
daughters Of the State. the doors OF
the State, the doors of Delaware Col
lege should be thrown open to both
sexes, and equal opportunity given to
each for the pursuit of knowledge and
the benefits of a higher education. /
again express this conviction, and
ask the General Assembly to carefully
consider the question whether a mere
difference in sex should support and
encourage the one. in mental. moral
and physical development. and ignore
and hinder and even prohibit the other
II the daughters become the wives and
the mothers of the Commonwealth. the
imperative fiat of heredity demands
their development in order to secure
the highest expression Of the race. and
consequently the highest attainment Of
citizenship.
The State is too small, at least fin
ancially unable to maintain a separate
institution for this purpose. In view
Of the successful results obtained In
other States. no valid objection can be
urged against the adoption Of this
course in Delaware College. For the OBJ
lection that immortality is encouraged
under such circumstances Is not true;
nor should the selfish objection made
by the male students in the institution
serve to maintain a standing injustice.
and perpetuate a condition that re-
tards the progress of the state.
we have no more right to exclude
daughters OF this state from Delaware
College than we have to exclude them
from our public schools.
STATE LIBRARY COMMISSION.
This Commission was created by the
Legislature of 1901, and its powers
further enlarged by the Legislature Of
1903. It was created for the purpose
Of establishing public Libraries in
towns and school districts as a supple
ment to the cause of education in this
State. Through the energy and well
directed efforts of its members It has
made this adjuvant to education more
and more popular among the people.
A reading people become an intelli-
gent people, and, therefore, not only
more useful people from the stand
point of citizenship, but the easy OPP
portunity to procure good literature
brings to their domestic life a larger
measure of personal happiness. and
a higher standard OF moral culture.
I recommend that this Commission
be further aided by a proper appro-
lpriation of the public funds in order
that it may increase its scope and
deficiency.
PUBLIC HIGHWAYS.
A growing consideration of, and in
Iterest in permanent improvement Of
the Public Highways is still manifest
led by all sections of the State. At the
last session of the Legislature this in
lterest took visible form in an ac
known as IAN Act n provide for tho
Permanent Improvement Of the Pub
Lie Highways in the State Of Della
ware"
While I approved the act just quote
In order not to retard public progress
in this direction,I did so, however VIII
well defined misgivings as to its BENZ
what the State needed.
The most valid objection to 1t lies il
the fact that It provides for eXpenslV
officials without much behind II o,
which the work can be prosecuted.
the Legislature had followed the sus
gestions as conveyed in my foune
message. to bond the State for sur
of money for the construction of per
manent roads throughout the Who'll
state. such an elaborate Commssio
would not have been out of proportio
! to the rest Of the conception. But w.he
r il is remembered that in two years
few miles only have been consructe
in New Castle county, none whateve
2 in Kent. and one-haf mile only N Sus
sex, some idea may be had OF the ply
portions of the inequality between IN
l EXPENSE of a commission which cost
/, at least $4,000 per annum out OF IN
l amount appropriated for roads cor
4 struction (S30O00), the primary obJe'
D of the act. Unless the state Is wlllin
to issue bonds for an amount sufhcier
to construct pernanen roads generah
!. in each county, 1 advi e the repeal
r the present act, and the enactment
/ what at the last Legislature was con
, lmonly known as the Newton Bill
which in effect gave State aid to an
Levy Court district that would volur
tarily tax itself in the endeavor to in
! prove its roads locally. have
: doubt that the entire appropriate
would have been used through the Ell
: terprise of progressive localities,
> the Newton Bill had been enacted
y the reason being that under the pre-
ent act nothing can be done withol
the initial approval of the Levy Cou
= which is loath to vote money for u
= Improvement Of one district, while
is unable to vote money Cor all wher
. as. under the Newton hill any progress
S i've and public spirited community,
: voluntary taxation. could get 80 ~
e cent. Of the cost of construction give
by the State without depending upc
e the will or the vote Of other commun
= ties.
\ LOCAL OPTION.
= I desire again to call your early al
II most serious attention to the matt
Il of the submission Of the question Of Il
sale Of Intoxicating liquors to a vo
j. of the people.
d The Constitution provides two met
l. DDS whereby this issue may be joine
+ First, Upon the initiative of the &c
N eral Assembly itself by a majority vo
in each House:
j. Second, Upon the initiative Of m
n iority Of the members elect to ea'
l. branch of the General Assembly Of al
y district, in which case the General A
- sembly must provide for the submissi'
a of the question to the voters of tn
is district.
= This is one of the most constant
agitated subjects not only in this sta
nj