The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1851-12-25
X Bridge At St. Paul.

The. ANIMAL forInaiion'of Bridge Of ice across
the Mississippi, remind. Us of the importance Of
an easy connection at all times with the ives, side
Of The river. We have repeatedly before shown
tho prac,cability, aud urged reasons for con
attracting sach bridge. A, the rsk af repeii-
ton, we again urge those reasons aud others that
may occur to us, for taking preliminary measures
for accomplishing the work. The river ut San,
Paul is three sighihs of mile WIDE In III.
uiddlc OF opposite our town, is an island which
occupies about one-ihird Of the space between
the opposite banks. The widest span for the
arch Of bridge supported at each end and on
each side Of the island, would be only about one
eighth Of mile. or something less perhaps, than
the span Of the bridge across the Scioto river at
Chiliicoihe. Ohio, which is supported only by the
two opposite banks Of that stream. On the east
shore, the bridge would rest upon the bluff nearly
one hundred feet above the river, So that the
largest steamboats,, which always pass between
that shore and the island, would not sweep the
bridge with their lues, by great many feet. All
objection, therefore, on the score Of obstractag
navigation, as the Wheeling bridge does, are
fully answered. Materials for building the
bridge, whether oak or pine, could be had as
cheap at Saint Paul, as any where in America
That the bridge may be built, iherefore--ihat
money enough will construct il there is no doubt.
How much money ii would cost, is question for
competent engineers to compute but, cost wha,
it may, if the bridge ii required, or cM be re-
quired, we wish TO zee measures taken in time,
to raise funds for building it. e ,,te.5.1f
The Mississippi river now divides the con,inen,
Of America into two parts, which are connected,
when the river is open, only by boats. Blu, the
country west Of the river. even to the Pacific
ocean, is filling up rapidly with Inhabitants The
intercourse Of the west side Of the river, with
the Atlantic cities, is becoming yearly Of more
importance; and especially since railroads from
the Atlantic every where being extended to
the east bank of the Mississippi. Ferry boats
will no, always be adequate to maintain this con-
nection with the opposite banks. Bridges will
become Indispensable, at least some bridges
across the liver. One Will be Indispensable at
St. Louis, another will be needed here, so ,ha,
the roads and railroads along the basin of the
lakes, and from the western termination Of stea m
boating on Lake Superior, may converge here,
and then diverge again in their extension west
ward 70 tho Pacific. - r.
For purposes of national defence, to keep open
ut all times communications with the garrisons of
Minnesota; and especially, as by the policy Of the
Government, it seems likely that soon all the
Northwestern tribes Of Indians will have their
permanent home, and receive their annui,es in
the Northwestern part Of our Territory the con-
struction Of bridge here, certainly assumes the
dignity and importance Of national work. We
would urge upon our people and our Legislature,
the importance of asking Congress therefore, to
donate and to place in the control Of our Legis-
lature, body Of land west Of the Mississippi,
and below the Minnesota, say 20 miles square,
Saving such lands as are possessed and improved
or occupied, and the school seciions) the pro-
ceeds Of which, when sold shall be fund 10 be
expended by commissioners elected by the Legs
lature, in'consrac,ing brldgs across the hlissis-
sippi river at st. Paul.