St. Mary's beacon., 1858-06-10

other portions Of the people Of Maryland and
the District he relieved of similar burdens inn
posed on them by the incorporated turnpike
companies this side of the river? They are
all hightcdgs TO the great metropolis Of the
Union, and the same measure Of Justice and
equality should be extended to all alike In
their intercourse with the federal heart of the
nation. We mus: either retrace our steps, and
repeal all the laws on the subject Of the free
bridges and reinstatc them tn what they once
were, or we must abolish the tolls ON the turn
pike roads this siie of the river, by purchasing
slleIn from thcir-proprietors. Tie ono or the
ather coarse mist lsa asisFfalLAsesrs tHe gov
eminent can be justly shielded from the impu-
tation of oppressive partiality. But aside
from the equity and justice of such policy.
the undersigned is Of opinion that proper re-
gard for the interest Of the people Of this Dis
trict, and of this metropolis in particular,
should have great weight in inducing Congress
TO adopt the course now recommended by the
undersigned. 1t is well known that an extern
sive and valuable trade is carried on between
this city and Georgetown, anil the surround
ing portions Of the district and Of MARYLAND.
this side Of the river. BY Ear the greater part
Of the markets for these cities it is believed. is
supplied by these sections Of the country; and
it cannot be doubted that a withdrawal of
these restrictions and limitations on the trade
viii, III great degree, increase the cntent and
value OF that trade. and mutually promote the
interest of both parties to the same.
In conclusion. the undersigned is Of opinion.
on a review of the whole snbject, that the Uni
ted States ought to purchase out the rights of
the said several turnpike road companies. and
that the said roads ought to be made free and
all taxes and tolls thereon abolished He there
fore reports the following bill, as substitute
FOR the report of the majority, and recommends
its passage by Congress.
THOMAS F. BOWIE.
4 biH TO authorize tie Secretary of the Interior
to purchase for the United Sta5es tie right OF
tie" Columbia Turnpike Road Conspa,ly," OF
the "llOckriNe and Washington IurRpike
Rad Company and Of tie e Faslington
Turnpike Road Company" n and TO heig
sererG turnpike roads, and TO make the same
free roads.
BE il enacted by tie Senate and House OF
Representatives iR Congress assembled. Tha;
the sum of fifty-seven thousand dollars. in the
mode and manner hereinafter mentioned. be-
and the same is hereby, appropriated out ol
propriated, to be expended under the direction
and control of the Secretary of the Interior in
purchasing for the United States all the rights
OF the said several turnpike road companies
ireroiEaftrI uICntiaAaA1r Aad 10 make the sa,nc
Tree roads-that is to say:
First. The sum of twelve thousand dollars tc
enable the said Secretary of the Interior to pur-
chase from the Columbia TURNPIKE Road
Company" all their rights in ami to that part
IF their said turnpike road extending from tho
eastern end OF Maryland avenue in the city o
Washington to the District line, in the direc-
ton of Bladensbur@, reserving the toll-house
and lot, whereun several outbuildngs arc
erected, which are not wanted by tlse United
States and said turnpike road, when so pur.
chased, shall be. and hereby is made. a fire,
road and all tolls and charges whatever there
On shall be forever abolished.
| Second. The sum of twenty-five thousand
dollars to enable the Secretary of the interior
! to purchase from the Rockville and Washing.
/ ton Turnpike Company" all their rights in anc
! to the said turnpike road, with the like reserva-
ton as to the toll-hOnse and lot on which the
same is erected; which said turnpike road
when so purchased, shall be, and is hereby
made, free road and all tolls and charges
whatever thereon shall lie forever abolished.
| Third. The sum Of twenty thousand dollars
to enable the Secretary of the Interior to pur.
chase from the ''WaShington Turnpike Road
Company" all their rights in and to their said
! turnpike road within the said District with
the like reservation Of the dollhouse and lot on
which the same is built: which said road
when so purchased, shall he. and is hereby
made, free road. and all tolls and charge.
whatever thereon shall be, and is hereby, abol-
ishcd
SECTION 2. And be ii further enacted That
as soon as the said turnpike roads shall have
been purchased and made free as aforesaid. the
Offices of toll keepers thereon shall be abolish
ed, and the said roads, as far as the same NAV
lie within the limits of the District of Column
bia, shall he placed under the supervision OF
the levy court of Washington county in the
said District, to be kept in repair as all other
county reads in said District are now required
by law to be repaired.