Milford chronicle. [volume] (Milford, Del.) 1878-1974, 1909-04-09
BsttIeship Gift.

to raise money with which to pur-
chase a suitable present for the Bat
tleship Delaware which will be the
pride and the flag ship Of the Amer
can Navy. Delaware waited long
before she had the honor Of having
a war vessel Of the first class named
for her. But she gets her due, and
perhaps many another State wishes
that il had waited a little longer so
that it would not be outdOne by
Delaware in the navy. Frequently
il pays to be patient and in this in
stance our State has been literally
rewarded, thanks to the untiring
efforts of our Senators and Repre-
sentives in Congress, ably supported
by our civic bodies. Working to-
gether they prevailed upon the then
Secretary Bonaparte TO honor Della
ware and Delawareans must show
in a substantial manner apprecia-
tion of the honor conferred upon
the State.
The Legislature has made an APP
preparation of 81, 900 for the gift
fund. We wish it were more. We
know now what is to be counted
on from the State. The 81 900 APP
preparation is but a drop in the
bucket Of what will be needed. The
exact sum to be raised has not yet
been definitely determined, but there
is no fear that too much money will
be secured. The Board of Trade
has taken hold Of the matter Of
raising the fund in a patriotic man
ner and il should be supported
by all Delawareans, both in the
State and out Of it.
A pleasing announcement Of the
committee is that Mr.. Howard Pyle, |
one Of our most distinguished citi-
zens, has consented to make the
design for the silver service. This
shows that the committee has
started right. Mr.. Pyle is one of
the most eminent men of the country
in his profession and il goes with
out saying that no State has pre-
scented a more beautiful designed
silver service than the design which
Mr.. Pyle will make.
1t is important that the raising Of
the fund should not be considered
a Wilmington affair. This is a
matter in which every county
should be concerned and the rural
district as we'll as the towns should
make contributions. The collect
ing Of the money should not be i'm
posed upon a few rich men. As
many citizens as possible should
contribute even though their con
may be small Kent and
Sussex should be as deeply con
cerned as in New Castle, and we
are sure that New Castle or the
Board of Trade representing Will
mington will be glad to hear of any
suggestions as to ways and means
from citizens and other counties.
A few of the MANY organizations
Of the city have already made small
to the fund ;others will
10 so. Every organization Of what
ever character in the State ought to
give something. Then there will
De the school children to draw from.
ParOchial, public and private t
schools should join in the work and '
Delaware Co lege should add its con- {
ributiOn. The sooner we begin t
he actual gathering of the funds
he better it will be. This is a pro-
ect in which persons of all parties +
md Creeds and both sexes may Join.
All will be welcome. The important g
hing now is to begin We trust i
hat every newspaper in the State t
will take up the matter and do what
can to help the cause along.
We have observed that some Of
he Organized Militia favor the Civ o
lg of library to the battleship =.
Or the reason that such gift would :,
e of more direct benefit to the sail I,
rs on the ship Much could be g
aid in favor of the library, but we y
Understand that the idea of the b
'oard of Trade is to present a IL a
rary also if sufficient funds are
,ised. However, it is important
nat before we do anything, we j..
Mould unite in our plans and not y
,ork at cross purposes. Intimation, h,
is said, have come from Washing b
IN that a silver service is the gift to
rat would be most proper as the N
elaware will probably be the flag "
lip navy, the ship on which will te
E received guests from other &c
1unties and various notables. If "a
lie State of Delaware does not fur
ich the silver service the crOx,ar,,- q