The national Republican., 1867-12-09

department Otuerb, uAteu MhrCn 10, 1901, 10 Dc
assigned to perform tho duties above stated
and at once to enter spon their performance.
The different bridges across the Potomac and
Auacostia or Bastsrn Branch, have either been
rebuilt or placed In as good repair as the lin.
tied amount Of the appropriations would admit.
The one sAmiliarly known rs the Long Bridge is,
by actual measurement, four thousand siI hun.
dr:d and sixty.one feet The sections are diff.
ferently constructed and ofthc following lengths:
First, built on piles. s...............l,O6 O60 feet.
Second, draw, north side) .,,.....,, 1874 feet
Third, gravel road on oauseway ...... 1877 feet.
Fourth, draw, south sids) .......... l4S feet
Fifth, brace and frame work, sup.
ported by cribs. bs................. 452 feet.
Total. 1861 feet
It will be remembered that In consequence Of
the heavy masses OF ice which lay against and
crushed the bridge at different points IL had
been rendered impossible for some months. The
appropriation Of hftesn thousand dollars enabled
me to place 1t in such repair as to allow travel
across 1t to be resumed. Much more work 10
still required to make 1t stand until q more sub
stantihl. suitable, and architectural structure
be built to span this magnificent river. have
been ordered to prepare a special report to tho
bureau 10 regard to the improvements Of the
channel Of the river, and surveys are now pro.
gressing to show what changes have recently
taken place. The bridge question Is so imme-
diately associated with the former that 1t will
necessarily form part OF the discussion. The
FIRST section of the bridge is in very good coudi.
tion, having been recently placed 80; the SEQ.
ond (uorth draw will have to be rebuilt, as the
timbers are decaying, and q more solid support
muit be substituted for the present one the
third Is in good repair the brick side walls are
damaged in many places, aud require attention
both for safety and appearance the fourth
(south draw Is In good working order; the fifth
raduiraa an ranaira n n almnst nssess
tate the entire rebuilding Of that portion. Al.
though in much better condition, 1t is said, than
for many years, still II Is doubtful n II can
stand against the Ice and freshets Of another
winter. An early appropriation, an estimate Of
which is respectfully submitted, Is earnestly
urged, as the work should be commenced with.
out unnecessary delay.
The bridge over the Potomac, near the Little
Falls, 10 in q most dilapidated condition. Hav.
ing been greatly used during the war, with little
or no care taken to keep II In good preservation,
1t is now in danger Of giving way the timbers
Of most Of tho spans, especially tho three near
est the Virginia shore, are much worn and de-
cayed. The bridge should have been covered to
protect the wood and the latter whitewashed to
keep 1t sound. The flooring Is much worn and
travel over 1t has become dangerous only BY the
most careful attention on the part Of the watch
man can accidents be avoided. It would proba.
bly, be economy to take the bridge down and re-
build It, An estimate Of the cost Of repairing
has been carefully prepared and submitted.
The lower or navy yard bridge, and the upper
or Benning's bridge, over the Anacostia OF
Eastern Branch, are now both in good condi.
tion the former has recently beeH renovated,
and the latter substantially rebuilt. Neither OF
them for many years will require any extensive
repairs.
The fence around the Botanical Garden has
been advanced as far as the appropriation will
l..GR Il -. haa R.l aa1 ~ f.at
are finished The upper part Is Of iron, and
the lower Of brick the latter rests upon q
stone foundation, and Is covered with q fine
North river fag coping. Two additional facei
Of the grounds have still to be enclosed with a
similar fence. The pavement on the North
front Ohe south side of Pennsylvania ayenuel
should be regarded and repayed, as 1t 10 now
much below the grade Of tho avenue, A pave
ment should also be laid on Maryland avenue
along the south front. These Improvements
which should be Of tagging, will greatly add Il
the general appearance Of the grounds. A yer,
beneficial change Is being effected by the con
struction of q culyert through the garden, whiel
converts the exposed Bed of the lower portio
Of Tiber creek into an extensive sewer. Thi
work will not only remove 4 disagreeable featur
from the sight Of the many visitors who fre
luent the cOnservatories Of rich and rare exotios
as well as native plants, there collected and ar
ranged, but will also aid in improving the sani
tary condition Of n section so nearly oontiguou
to the grounds surrounding the very capital 0
the nation II would be well If the same sys
TEN could be adopted In covering from sight an
smell that pestiferous ditch Of water styled th
Washington City Canal" into which the Tibe
ompties. That canal will bo referred to In sub
sequent part Of the report. 1t Is to be very mue
regretted that the culyert cannot be completed
this year owing to the limited means on hand
or the appropriation for the fiscal year endin
! NhA Of IVtaa 10.
dollars was applied to other work by the lat
Commissioner Of Public Buildings, and of ths
for the fiscal year ending June 80 1868, tn
whole amount has been expended without hnish
ing it. Owing to the large extent Of Ian
drained by the Tiber, a great accumulation @
sand, gravel, and some deleterious subtances ar
washed down and deposited In the bed Of th
stream throughout the whole length of the cul
vert, and into the canal Some action shoul
DO taken to arch over the stream from whore
crosses Pennsylvania avenue to the extrsm
northern limits Of the city the same reason
apply that have been given for covering tn
lower portion. In addition, some system G
gravel pits rnd dams, for collecting the washing
Of the soil should be arranged at different pointl
and the banks protected by soddiug and masonry
The management Of the Tiber must be treate
in the light Of main sewer for . large an
growing section OF the city, and all improve
ments projected with that object in view.
The pavement Of flag stones laid along Penn
sylvania avenue and Seventeenth street, in fror
OF the War and Navy Departments, forms one
the best and most needed improvements in thS
portion Of the city it has given most general sa
isfaetion, and should be still further oItende
along the street toward and around the sout
front Of the Presidents grounds. Several yer
important renoyations have been attended
during the summer at the Executive Mansion
and the building is now In very eIcsllent Orde
Ths conservatory, q large part Of which was d.
Itroysd BY hre, and the remainder OF the fran
wark dseGysd BY the constant moisture Of Il
hsailag apparatus, has been almost entirely
halt. The wing Of the main strueture requir'
10 b. thorsoghly oVsrhAulod. 1t Is TO DO
zrsttsd that q larger appropriation was n
made In order that TIE green house might hA'
bsru removed tnd . more ornamental and tast'
siI iue srsctsi Nos, u the valuable and raj
plant Ehich 'n alsiss1 and gratihed the tast.
" rhs many vdJSrI from every part Of ID
,0uutrY Wsrs destroyed by tbs Ere which nearl
'ousumsd tho Building Ta rsplaes these, an
"a make important editions 70 them, will rs
lurs IN sypsuditurs u several thousand do
Rrs vhich 10 ioubC The It6srllisy 81 Copgrss