The native American., 1839-09-14
TWELFTH STREET BRIDGE.

We have heard number Of persons, without
reflection, pronounce judgment Of condemnation
against the Corporation for the late accident of
the falling Of this bridge, with that great over
grown, Patagonian, and unusual omnibus Of sixty
passenger capacity, and at the same time under
take to say that the individuals exposed were en-
titled TO damages. Now, we have always been
the most unfortunate community regards self
interest in the country, and whether it proceeds
from the changeableness Of our population, which
is of migratory cast, going out with the decline
of one Administration, and coming in with the
vengeance of another, or from the fact that the
greater portion of our municipal charges are borne
by few, and therefore, the maj ority have no part
or lot in our liabilities, and talk at random, we do
not know; but, certain it is, that we have always
been under the influence Of suicidal policy in
relation to the imposition of burthens, and the dis
tribution of our revenue.
Those persons who talk so inconsiderately
about the liability Of the Corporation for damages,
fington has any legal ownership in, orjursdiction
over, the streets and avenues of the City; and,
secondly, if they have not, who haze? 2 for res
possibility and authority in such matters must
be concurrent.
1t happens that the indifference which we have
always manifested for care of our own property
that is to say, of the property holders-has al
ways exalted number of persons, in times past,
to obtain seats at our respective Councils, who
had little good influence among our people, no
just conception Of our wants or their duties, and
comparatively nothing at stake in our community.
Hence we have had bad laws, supineness of
action or by fits and starts needless activity and
officiousness which has led the Corporation into
trouble and unnecessary responsibilities.
The very accident in question, arises from that
cause for if we had not in moment of busting
and premature action, undertaken, without any
strict legal authority, to assume jurisdiction over
the passways and streets, we never should have
been put to the expense of building bridges, open
ing avenues, orpaving footways; and this discus
sion Of liability about Twelfth street bridge, never
would have had any reference to the Corporation.
The fact is, that Congress, although it gave the
CITY police authority the streets, never sur
rendered its own jurisdiction and ownership; and
in former times, when Mr.. Jefferson used to call
the attention of the Superintendent OF the City to
our affairs, he advised that when the sales Of the
public lots were not sufficient for the opening Of
streets and the laying of the necessary pavements
and gangways, estimates should be prepared, in
order that Congress might make the appropria-
tons.
Now, il our municipal authorities would relin-
quish their supervision of this natter and refer
the whole proprietorship of our common roads
and streets to the true owners, and unite the
strength of the people in urging them, the Repre-
sentatives, to mend our ways we should not
only get efficient hands to stand between US and
our embarrassed Corporation, but would put
stopper on those speculative argufers who pretend
to hold the Corporation liable for damages by
casualty.