CHAPTER 389
FORMERLY
HOUSE BILL NO. 672
AS AMENDED BY SENATE AMENDMENT NO. 1
AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE PURCHASE AND PLACEMENT OF A TOMBSTONE MARKING THE GRAVE OF FORMER GOVERNOR WILLIAM TEMPLE, AND PROVIDING A SUPPLEMENTARY APPROPRIATION THEREFOR.
WHEREAS, it is right and proper that devoted public servants, namely former Governors of the State of Delaware, should be especially honored and the remembrance of their good deeds preserved for the encouragement of public service in future generations; and
WHEREAS, William Temple was born February 28, 1814, in Queen Anne County, Maryland and moved to Smyrna, Delaware at age 18 where he became a successful merchant; and
WHEREAS, William Temple, at age 30, was elected to the State House of Representatives from Kent County as a member of the Whig Party and was subsequently elected House Speaker; and
WHEREAS, William Temple served only 5 months as a legislator when, by virtue of his being House Speaker, he succeeded to the Governor's chair as a result of the death of Governor Joseph Maull; and
WHEREAS, William Temple was the youngest Governor ever elected in Delaware at age 32 and the last member of the Whig Party to be elected to public office; and
WHEREAS, William Temple served as Governor of Delaware at the time in which Delaware experienced great agriculture advances, particularly the peach industry; and United States Secretary of State called upon Delaware to furnish 390 volunteers to fight Mexico; and
WHEREAS, William Temple was subsequently elected to the State Senate and many other posts after serving as Governor of Delaware; and
WHEREAS, in 1862 William Temple changed his registration from Whig to Democrat because he thought Republicans were too radical; and
WHEREAS, the Democrats nominated William Temple for United States Congressman in 1862 whereupon he defeated his old gubernatorial secretary George P. Fisher by 32 votes; however, he died on May 28, 1863 before he could take his seat; and
WHEREAS, the house on the northeast corner of Main and Mt. Vernon Streets (104 N. Main) was once the home of Governor Temple; and
WHEREAS, Governor Temple was buried in the northeast corner of old St. Peter's at Duck Creek; and
WHEREAS, the grave is unmarked and should be so marked in honor and in remembrance of this great Delawarean and former Governor.
NOW THEREFORE,
Section 1. A Joint Committee is hereby created for the purpose of selecting an appropriate tombstone to mark the grave of Governor Temple and also the selection of an appropriate epitaph for said grave stone. The Committee shall consist of the Director, Division of Archives and Cultural Affairs, representing the State, Senator J. Donald Isaacs, representing the Senate, and whose Senatorial district Governor William Temple is interred, Representative Winifred Spence, representing the House of Representatives and in whose representative district Governor Temple is interred; Representative Thomas Temple, a relative representing the family of Governor William Temple.
Section 2. The sum of $700.00 is hereby appropriated to the Department of State, Division of Archives and Cultural Affairs for the purpose of carrying out this Act.
Section 3. Funds appropriated herein shall be paid by the State Treasurer from the General Fund monies not otherwise appropriated.
Section 4. This is a supplementary appropriation Act and funds appropriated herein which remain unexpended or unencumbered on June 30, 1975 shall revert to the General Fund.
Approved June 27, 1974.