The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-05-26
CONGRESSIONAL.
DEFERRED DEBATE.
MONDAY, MAY "a, 1859.
SENATE.
DEFICIENCY BILL.

The Senate resumed the consideration oil The deficiency
billtbe question pending being the amendment submit.
ted by MIR. SHIELDS, as iollows .ate sa
For the repairs of Long Bridge the Poomac
sum not exceeding yi20O0 to be expended under the
direction OF the Commissioner Of Public Buildings"
Mr. BADGER Mr. President, hope that amendment
will not be adopted told my friend from Illinois, Mr.
SHIELDS the other day. that decidedly opposed to
iwould much rather vote appropriation Of S25 900
TO that weched and unsghiy obstruction of the
Potomac river than 10 vote $4,000 for the purpose OF
patching 1t and keeping il in condition in which il will
continue to be an obstruction to the flow nof that river
think il will be great deal better remove the bridge
altogether, and establish steam ferry boat as they
have between Brooklyn and New York; which carry
over passengers to thu other side every fifteen minutes
throughout the day, and leave the river open and unob
srucied-thus giving free flow of water to wash away
the shallow which has now been formed against that
portion OF the bridge-the larger portion Of it--whch
does not allow the passage OF any water. hope we
shall expend l2 900 for the purpose of patching
up that miserable structure. sg.a 81
Mr. CLARKE Mr. President |, as one OF the commit.
tee in connexion with the senator from Illinois, (Mr.
SELDs,l who had agreed to this amendment to the bill
beg leave to say that agree in part with my friend from
North Carolina, Mr. BADGER,l that this miserable struc-
ture should be removed but il is absolutely necessary
that there should be some communication between the
District of Columbia and the Virginia Shore and there
is way IN which that unicaton be kept and
continued at less expense than by the temporary
pair OF the bridge.
believe the bridge stands with Its piers and abut
ments is nuisance and will eventually be of great In
Jury to the citizens of Washington further believe
that is necessary, in order TO have for open and
direct communication with the Virginia Shore that there
should be bridge constructed across the Potomac river,
that should allow the deposes of the Potomac as they
come down, 10 be lodged upon the flats they
making them preudlcial TO health and to life, besides
filling up the channel OF the river Blu, II have got
TO make that appropriation, preparation must be made,
and will be at least one If not two years before pro.
per and suitable bridge can be built that river
Now sir, if this small appropriation OF $4,000 is made.
this bridge be repaired until the bridge is built
and then the old be removed for undoubtedly
is, il is nuisance. 1t for that that
assenicd to the proposition OF my friend from Illinois Mr.
the honorable senator from North Carolina will reflect
that il is utterly impossible 10 have continued commu-
nication with the Virginia shore unless repair this
bridge, he will be satisfied that this appropriation should
be made in order to make those repairs
Then, sir the senator from Illinois Mr. SHELDs] and
myself will 90 with him in favor of constructing ne
bridge upon different principle and gel rid OF these
piers and abuments which mol only absolutely obsirucl
the passage u the wafer, but which produce accumu
aion OF depostes in the bed of The river and eventually
il will be done right, sir.
the river, it will you double what it will to repair
this bridge 1t will cost double 10 maintain such ferry
until new bridge can be erected would be better 10
repair this bridge temporarily and then in the general
appropriation bill provide for the construction OF such
bridge as shall answer the purpose OF communication
completely and at the same time guard against the filling
up Of tie channel has been done by the present bridge
am therefore in favor OF this appropriation OF Sl2 0O0
agree with the honorable senator from North Carolina
Mr. BADeER,] that this miserable structure should be
removed from the ver but cannot be done al prese
Ii you go TO work Immediately aud make appropria-
ton here now for removing II, 1t will be perhaps year
before II can be done and you will have nomeans OF
municaton with the Virginia shore al ALL These my
reasons for agreeing with my friend from Illinois, Mr..
SHIELDS
Mr. HAMLIN would be very much obliged TO the
senator who moved this amendment to any member OF
the committee who is interested the matter IL they will
tell me where the division is between the State oil Vir-
gina and the District OF Columbia; what the boundaries
are and whether any portion OF this bridge is in the State
OF Virginia; and If so, il that portion carried away was
in the Stale of Virginia in the District OF Columbia
Mr.. SHIELDS. There is report upon the table, which
did not have read not wishing to take up the time OF The
Sena,e perhaps the best thing can do is 10 have that
report read now ! will state IN addition TO what my
friend from Rhode Island tMr CLARKEl has said, tina,
upon inquiry-so far we could get lnformaton--w
asceTtaiDed that II there was new bridge about TO be
constructed, 1t would still be necessary 10 make these
pairs TO aid in constructing new bridge and that the
$1,000 that are 10 be expended in the repairs OF this
slruction OF new bridge
| agree with my friend from North Carolina, IMr
BApcER, that there ought TO be structure aogeth
er and hope before long such one and one that
will enable be railroad cars to pass over and thus eua.
BILE the North and the South 10 unite here in Washington
Ia order TO do that this bridge other bridge is
necessary repair is necessary 10 enable 10 make
a new structure We do not know where to select 10.
caliiy for II and even II that provided for we must
repair this bridge somewhere, or else, my friend from
Rhode Island said, we shall have no communication be.
tween this city and Virginia, except the temporary little
boat that is now running on the river. take more
interest in this matter than every in this District oil
Columbia must feel We must have some means OF corn
and this Ia the cheapest that possibly be
provided II Is only temporary communication, and the
amendment provides that the money shall be expended
under the direction OF the Commissioner ol Public Build
ngs in order 10 avoid appointing officers Tor that purpose
It's patch up and make do FOR the present. until
obtain suitable plan Tor a new structure.
will answer the question which has been put by the
honorable senator from Maine, Mr. HAMLls.1 The wa.
adj 0ff af IN nfa Init n
portion belonging, nding the District OF Co
lumbia think II is the duty Of Congress TO make these
repairs.
Mr. BORLAND I rise TO make an inquiry OF the
chairman OF the Committee on the District oil Columbia
Does this proposed expenditure OF $4,000 look to the
erection OF structure OF different kind from the one
heretofore existing, and does contemplate that it should
be expended in connection with plan for better bridge
or is IL independent entirely OF new plan
Mr. SHIELDS II is altogether different.
Mr. B0RLAND. would much prefer that il should
another structure; for, inserting IL as single
appropriations without looking TO change, will in my
opinion be oss OF much money whereas, il plan
should be adopted Tor permanent structure, and we
should appropriate this money and II should be
pended in repairs for the present bridge as part OF
structure, il would be much money saved. would
be very glad TO have some such arrangement agreed
before the appropriation made
Mr. SHIELDS That in my humble judgment, cannot
be done So far have been able 10 make any in
quries in relation to this matter from competent
gnees, have ascerained that II there is new sruc-
ture Il must be placed 10 different position and IN
different locality nearer Geogetown perhaps and per-
baps al Georgeowni may be at the aqueduct at George
town. There has been no plan. no investigation,
survey made and, indeed, il will he work OF time 70
draw up proper plan. Our only question with ref
10 patching up this bridge, has been stated
as 10 make answer its ends for the present But will
..x.. al IL 49, -.