The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1827-03-14
GOVERNORS MESSAGE
To the Legislature on returning the
Warren Free Bridge Bill

VuTTEH + rec DFIU8e Dill
Gentlemen Of the House Of Representatives.
am constrained to the discharge of pain
full duty, in returning to the House Of Repre-
sentatiVes Bill, entitled Is An ct establish
ing the Warren Bridge Corporation" for revi-
sion by the Legislature, pursuant to the provl-
sons OF the Contribution, under The objections,
which respectfully submit, TO its becoming
Law of she Commonwealth. | am fully "a
ware Of the great responsibility attached to
this measure, but the dictates OF an honest
Judgment, and consciensCious sense OF ohli-
cation to the faithful and impartial discharge
OF office, according to the best of my abilities
and understanding, do not leave me the alter
native OF IFS avoidance. conviction deep,
imperative and unCompromising, impels me
thus to dissent from the opinions which have
been deliberately expressed by majority OF
the members OF both branches of the Legisla-
ture; and, while derive support and cOu6
dence from the assurance, that there are those
by whose judgment shall stand justified,
repose myself with confidence upon the can
dor and justice OF others, to respect the mo-
tives by which alone could be influenced.
The Bill proposes to create Corporation
for the purpose Of constructing Bridge across
Charles River, from Boston 70 Charlestown, TO
be free OF tolls TO passengers. The teTn1tnt OF
the bridge are fixed in the Bill, and the trav-
ell to be embraced by it, is well understood
from familiar acquaintance with the topogra-
ply OF the city and adjacent country, which
every Legislator here must be supposed to
have. 1t is to be located within lew rods of
the existing toll bridge, and in such direction
as to accommodate the same travel, amt, by
A. toll In to
cure il, Exclusively. The result must neceSsa
rily and ineriiaD!g be, the entire loss Of the
toll to the present Bridge Corporation, and the
r,-..s,- 4',--t destruction of the interest and
stock of the proprietors, involving also, from
similarity OF condition, the sacrifice more or
les Immediately, Ct the West Boston aud Ca
nal Bridges Ii this act Of legislation may be
rIghttuiIy and Constitutlonally executed, and
the public exigency demands 1t, such partial
injuries must he submitted to, but otherwise,
the laith OF IN, Government is pledged to the
protection OF tn rights OF property in exist
ing Corporations, and the Bill, which now
threatens The iniracton Of them, should be ar
rested.
By referring to the Statutes of the Common
wealth, it is seen, that, III the year 1885, a
grant OF corporate powers was made TO Thorn
as Russell aud others, for the purpose of con-
structing and maintaining Bridge, between
Boston and Charestown where the Ferry then
was and by the third section OF the act OF in
corporation, it is enacted III terms, that, sc for
the purpose of reimbursng the said Proprietors
for money expended, or TO be expended, in
building and supporting the said Bridge, toll
be, and hereby is granted and established for
the sole benefit OF the said PIoprietors," ac-
cording TO the rates mentioned III said act,
q L. H., e n Graf
of the Bridge for passengers, and TO continue
for and during the term OF forty years from the
sad day, to b. collected as shall be prescribed
by the Corporation" By the fourth section,
the dimensions and manner OF building the
Bridge were prescribed, and the Obligations to
keep the same in good, safe and passabie re-
pair, lighted with lamps, and with draw, to
be raised, without toll or pay, when required
for the passage of vessels, were enjoined.-
The fifth section bound the Corporation to pay
annually to Harvard College, taco hundred
pounds during the said term OF forty years,
nd. at the end of that time, secured the le-
version of the property in the Bridge TO the
Commonwealth, saving to the College "a rea-
sonable aud annual compensation for the an
nuai income of the old Ferry, which they
might have received had.not said Bridge been
erecied.n
Such are the general provisions of the act.
In more precise terms OF arrangement, the
Government authorized the erection OF Charles
River Bridge, and, as an inducement TO, and
remuneration for, the enterprise, at that lime
regarded as bold and hazardous, as it has since
proved useful and profitable, granted to the
Propretors toll Tor forty years, charged with
the expense of maintaining the Bridge IN good
repair, keeping the same lighted, raising the
draw, and paying to Harvard College, annu-
ally, two hundred pounds. The accommo-
dation to the public, and the Liabilities impos-
ed upon the Proprietors, thus became the con-
sideraton for the grant, and the enjoyment of
the grant, for forty years, was made the equiv
alent.
In 1892, (the Charles River Bridge having
been before constructed,) an act was passed
by the Legislature, creating a Corporation
with authority to erect Bridge over Charles
River, from the west part OF Boston to point
in the town Of Cambridge, "and, for remune-
rating to the Projectors the expense OF build
ing and maintaining said Bridge, and of in
Identifying them for their risk, toll was
granted and established, !" as prescribed in the
act $ for the sole benefit Of said Corporation,
for forty years from the opening Of said Bridge
for passengers" A duty was also imposed to
keep the Bridge in repair, to maintain and
raise draw for vessels, to provide lamps, and
to pay to Harvard College the sum of three
hundred pounds, annually, for forty years. II
s important to be regarded that, in this lat
ter act, the meritorious but hazardous enter
prize Of the Proprietors Of Charles River Bridge
is expressly recognized, and, although the Ter
mini and direction of tho West Boston Bridge