The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-05-04

facts and votes tender to Mr. Stephens the ey-
dences that in taking the ground which he deems OF vital
Importance to the rights and interests Of the South and
the preservation of the constitution. he has assumed
position entirely variance with the existing organixs-
ton Of the wing party and committed himself policy
which other party than the democratic party can esi
tablish or maintain.
wheeling Bridge. 1884
To the Editor of the Union. g,est93 @ ssii.a
SIR: We regret to observe that our brief state.
ment OF the fact that. the 10th OF April, saw he
steamer Cincinnati, the iaea boat NE river pass an
der e Wheeling bridge acen the toatsr t0as higher han
it had been at this point for period of venty years."
has called forth reply from the Hon. Thomas NJ Howe,
the member of Congress from the city OF Psburg.
We are neither controversialsts politicians. We
do not hope to acquire any laures by controversy with
an honorable member, do we hope to be canddates
for election reelection TO any office; and we have,
therefore, motive wish TO engage in any discussion
with this gentleman
If Mr. Howe do anything towards perpetuaiing his
by catering the petty eaouses Of his constituents,
it is not for to object That is affair between him
and them. But we do say and repeat that in our opinion
this bridge offers mpedimen to the free navigation
the Ohio river, excepting to such boats as may avail
themselves of legal advantage, and raise their pipes
high to meet with what seems, from the decision, TO
| constitute technical obstruction.
This bridgeis VIGOROUSLY high enough TO permit boats
with chimneys 90 feet above the water to with their
pipes standing, food 80 feet high and to 60 under
the bridge with their chmneys lowered, whenever the
river is practically navgabe II higher, il could not be
used for the western railroads, which rapidly con-
verging 10 this point We think it is therefore high
enough. $40
| If Mr.. Howe acting in sincerity for the promo
ton of the public good and contributing his mite 10
| an ungenerous local warfare-whoy unworthy the ef-
forts OF staesnanhe would, wethink, direct his aten-
ton and his influence TO the bridges al Puburg, which
completely shut OF navigation on the Allegheny and
Monopg ahea, quite good as that OF the Ohio from
/ Pittsburg 10 Wheeling.
| There is at PafsbGg bridge the Monongahela
which prevents boats from going up half the length OF
the city We understand that this bridge is SIS feet lower
than the Wheeling bridge Why does not the honorable
gentleman try to have that bridge removed or raised
| higher a5sf
There three bridges and aqueduct the Al
leghany from Pttsburg TO Allegheny city. These bridges
all from my 10 sirfy feet iorr than The Wheeling bridge
II Mr.. Howe wishes to clear the navigation from OBJ
s,rucons, why does he moi employ his influence in Con-
gress, Pnsburg member, 10 these nuisamees
| 1t certainly is not because they do no harm They
stop the boats entirely and compel ranshpment In low
wafer; they stop the RATS, and destroy the fla, boats in
high water.
1t is alleged by writer in the Pitlsburg newspapers
thai more property destroyed against the piers Of
those Plttsbug BRIDGES during only three days in the
month OF April, than would be sufficient to main
tain six ferries for year We do not know that this
is true, but have the charge contradiced
Vast amounts Of property have been lost at these BRIDGES
under the very eyes OF Mr. Howe and the loss OF lives
by the smashing OF the RATS against the piers, is,
everybody knows, thing OF annual occurrence tdk
Yet Mr. Howe, residing at Pittsburg and seeing these
things permits the evil TO stand, and travels Of down
Wheeling asail bridge there than so feet higher
than these because steamboats, with pipes noto
rousy arranged for the express purpose are compelled TO
lower their extra length Of pipe in times OF high wafer
He says, on high legal authority admit, that this
operation Of lowering pipes is dangerous II may be dan
gerous lao, but plain business men. say tba, il
is the least dangerous in practice We defy Mr. Howe
point to single in which life has been lost
limb broken, acciden, OF any description has
Cured, attributable the lowering Of steamboat CHM
at the Wheeling bridge The fact fasfes the speca
| latlon.
We hope, when next hear Of the honorable gentle
man. that Il will be the occasion when he rises in his
place and asks leave to introduce bill rqui s aqus-
ducts and bridges Psbrg 10 be raised 10 the hight Of he
Whs ng bridge, and 10 be built that IT, with spans OF
thousand feet, and without piers. ~.
Your obedient servants.
JOHN LAWRENCE NEWLY,
JACOB g. METCALF,
JAMES CUMMlNS,
l.. RICE, t01
FORRy