Milton is in a deplorable condition; all because of some difficulty, or rather, procrastination in having the charter renewed in time to hold an election; which was allowed to pass, and consequently we have no Town Council; and, worst of all, no money. From prodigal use of money during the past year, we supposed the town had a grand surplus at the bank, and its resources inexhaustible; but now we awake to the fact that we have no Council, no Mayor, and have had no charter for four years, no money in the treasury, no lights in the streets at night, and darkness the rule. The Bailiff’s term has expired, and no money is ready to pay him, and for all of this no one is to blame, and no one appears to know anything about it; at least that is the result of our search for information. The worst part of the situation is the demoralized condition of town affairs; for it is whispered on every side that no taxes can be levied or collected legally for the present year.

It is cowardly to say “that no one knows who is to blame for the situation.” The town does know, but the people are too cowardly to lay the blame at the guilty party’s door. Another complication is the County appropriation which is allowed to the Town Council for street maintenance; but we have no Council, and therefore can have no county appropriation.

The situation may be summed up as follows: no Council, no Mayor, no Bailiff, no tax collector (for none is needed), streets in darkness, no taxes for another year, no County appropriation from which to repair the streets, no nothing. It is probable that the ex-Street Supervisor will have to get an execution on the town jail and sell it for his salary; unless someone comes to the town’s rescue.

A private lamp is being maintained by S. J. Wilson and Mr. Hartman at the corner of the “Big Store,” and several private lamps have been arranged for in public places and at private residences.

[Note. Since the above item was put in type, we learn that the Governor has signed the bill passed by the legislature in its closing hours, which re-incorporates the town of Milton; so all their woes are not so real];

The State Councilor was to have visited the Jr. O. U. A. M. here last Thursday, but he failed to arrive and as refreshments had been prepared in liberal supply, the members invited their friends and many ladies to enjoy the feast.

The millinery openings will be an attraction here tomorrow, Saturday, and the styles at Mrs. Carrie H. Johnson’s are ravishing to the ladies and the men’s pocketbooks.

The Hart House is undergoing a course of repairs, which includes a metal roof.

The steamer Mary M. Vinyard is having several improvements added. The upper deck is being extended and the saloon lengthened, which permits ten more state rooms.

Both the river and depot canneries are to be operated this year; so we are informed.

The residence of Mrs. Lydia Lofland, on Union Street, is undergoing a course of repairs at the hands of Wm. Smith and son.

Wheat in this vicinity presents a handsome appearance; the fields being a beautiful green carpet.

Quite a large quantity of Broadkiln baled hay is on the docks here for shipment.

Rev. G. W. Hines and wife left on Monday to attend the annual conference of Maryland, which convenes at Salisbury, Md., on the fifth instant. N. W. White goes as the accredited delegate from the M. P. Church here, and Joseph Morris and daughter, as visitors.

Mrs. Dora Johnson is the guest of Mrs. G. W. .Atkins.

Rev. R. T. Coursey arrived with his household goods in Milton on Saturday, then preached his initial sermon in the M. E. Church on Sunday morning.

Mrs. Hester Bailey died on Thursday from a complication of diseases, aged about 70 years. Funeral services on last Sunday afternoon by Rev. G. H. Hines, and interment at Odd Fellows Cemetery by J. B. Atkins.

James A. Wilson died at his home in this town on Monday of a complication of diseases, age […] years, six months and 20 days. Funeral on Tuesday afternoon at Zion M. E. Church, by the Rev. R. T. .Coursey, and interment in that cemetery. S. J. Wilson & Son funeral directors.

The schooner Golden Rule has loaded a cargo of brick from the Milton Brick Company, to be delivered at Odessa, Del.

The abandoned Chemical Works on the Broadkiln were destroyed by fire last Monday night. Origin unknown.

William Wright died at his home near Staytonsville, last Sunday from heart disease. He was 84 years old, and the funeral was held on Tuesday. Interment was made in Odd Fellows Cemetery in Milford, by S. J. Wilson & Son.

The lovely arbutus is now in bloom.

C. E. Metzinger, who was found shot in this office in Philadelphia on Friday last[i], was the husband of Irene, daughter of Eli L. Collins, a justice of the peace in Milton; he went to the city at once to assist his daughter.

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[i] The Associated Press report of March 31, 1905 states: “Charles E. Metzinger, a publisher, was found dead today sitting in a chair in his office, with a bullet wound in his breast. A revolver lay on his desk. It is supposed he shot himself, though no motive is known.”