Evening journal., 1911-03-29
M. D. MURPHY
GETS THEPLACE
Named Street and Sewer Dir
eCtOr to Succeed John
G. Gray
COUNCIL MUST
CONFIRM APPOINTMENT

Mayor Spruance shortly before noon
today announced the appointment OF
Matthew d. Murphy as member Of the
Street and Sewer Department, to sue
ceed John G. Gray, whose term will
expire on Friday The new appoint
ment will be sent to City Council for
confirmation st the regular meeting
that body tomorrow night and on next
Tuesday the Street and Sewer Com
mission will reorganize with the new
member. Mr.. Murphy. like Mr.. Gray,
will be the minority member Of the
board. The appointment is for six
years at $500 year.
While the many friends of Mr. MUIR
ply predicted his appointment,
friends of James J. English and Peter
! Ford. who were i'm the field. for the
office. we're equally sanguine of the
appointment of their favorite. Par
ticularly can this be said of Mr.. Eng
lishs adherents. One Of these,
CITY Office holder, could not be con-
vinced that his friend had lost out
even after Mayor Spruance had an
nounced Mr.. Murphy's appointment
and the news was common property
on the street.
Mr.. English had many Of the work
ers in the Democratic party with him
and there will no doubt be some dis
satisfaction over the appointment
among the English followers. Friends
Of Mr.. Ford also went strong to the
front for him and the Mayor received
a number of letters from prominent
business men urging his appointment
to the place.
Never in the history Of Wilmington
was there so much interest taken In
an appointment of a street and sewer
commissioner, as there was In the
present one Delegations after dele
cations appeared before Mayor Spru-
ance in behalf Of the men mentioned
for the office. Prepared letters rec
ommending the appointment OF one OF
the candidates. and petitions galore,
were circulated by friends OF the men
Frequent arguments took place daily
over the qualifications of the respec-
tive candidates and why each should
be appointed
Mayor Spruance was placed in an
unenviable position. 1t is said be in
tends to be a candidate for reelection
as Mayor. and whether this appoint
ment interfere with his desires in
this direction remains to be seen.
When he announced the appoint
ment the Mayor had no comment to
take.
Friends Of Mr. English make the
claim that the lower wards, where the
Democrats always look for a big ma
jority are being ignored in the matter
of appointments.
Mr.. Murphy Is 45 years old and was
born in, and has lived in this city al
his life. He is one of the best-knowr
business men in the city. having beer
engaged in various branches OF busi'
ness for twenty-five years, including
the coal. building material, lime ane
sand business. He now is secretary
and treasurer of the Wilmington Bricl
Company. and also is connected witt
the firm of Murray and Murray, Of
dealers Of Philadelphia.
Mr.. Murphy always had been an ac
tive Democrat and close TO the man
ayers of the party. He has been chair
man of the Democratic City Commit
fee. and secretary of the Democratic
County Aounltbtt- ne was oht VI 'i.'
foremost members of the Young Men,
Democratic Club Mr.. Murphy was hi
partys candidate for recorder OF decd
OF New Castle county in 1906 and HI
led HIS ticket by 600 votes, more thai
any other Democratic candidate. Mr
Murphy also served as a trustee of tn
poor for two terms. He is member o
several organizations In which he Il
very popular. including the Elks ant
Knights of Columbus. He is the owne
of much real estate, including tn
Belvidere Apartments.