The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1868-05-06
BRIDGING THE OHIO.
Letter from Theodore Cook, Esq,
and Resolutions OF the Cincinnati
Meeting.

A short time ago, Senator Morton.
his attention having been called
to the proposed obstruction Of the
Ohio River by the Paducah bridge,
wrote 10 one Of the editors Of the
Journal for such facts as would more
fully enable him TO successfully op-
pose that measure. In answer to an
application made to the Cincinnati
Chamber of Commerce, the following
letter was received from THEODORE
Cook, Esq, late President Of the
Chamber Of Commerce, and a leading
merchant Of that city. 1t will be
read with interest by steamboat own
ors and our mercantile readers. We
have repeatedly called attention to the
danger which threatens the navigation
of the Ohio River from the projected
bridges, and especially the one at
Paducah, and the matter demands the
decided action Of our Commercial
men. The letter is as follows:
CINcINNATI, April 30, 1868.
John ". Foster Esq, Evansville:
DEAR SIR:-Mr. William Smith
has placed ia my hands for answer.
your letter to him, dated 29th inst.
Senator Morton has written to parties
IN this city with reference TO bridging
TIE Ohio River, and some facts and
%statist c. have been furnished him
others viii be sent him as soon as pre-
pared.
We do not here (nor any place else
that we know Of stand in opposition
TO bridges over the navigable waters;
but We claim that all bridges should
be so constructed as to leave the nav
igation reasonably safe. Some Of the
first engineers In the country. among
whom are John A. Roebling. the
builder of two bridges at Pittsburg,
the Niagara Suspension Bridge, and
the bridge over the river at this city,
aud James b. Eads. the Chief EGG
neer Of the St. Louis Bride, now
building, agree in the opinion that
the rivers can be bridget SO as sto
leave the navigation reasonably safe.
We demand that this shall be done
where bridges are built.
We think that no bridge should be
permitted over the Ohio River with a
less length Of span over the main
channel than 500 feet, or of a less
hight than 90 feet above extreme high
water. Such a bridge as this will. at
times, cause inconvenience, aud even
damage, but, with care. there need be
no loss Of property. The main span
at the Steubenville Bridge is 320 feet.
This bridge annually causes consider
able loss in coal and lumber. as well
as Of other property, occasionally.
Now, a number Of bridges such as
this are in cOntemplation-One at
Bellaire, below Wheeling, one at
Parkersburgh and the one at Padu-
cab also the Newport Bridge. Now,
If all these, and the many more
which Will soon follow, are permitted,
the navigation Of the Ohio River will
be well nigh ruined. If we would
prevent the infiction Of this great
wrong, the people Of every city and
town on the river must promptly re-
monstrate with Congress. for the
combined power Of railroad infu-
ences will be used in their favor.
You viii find 10 u city newspa-
pers Of the 14th and 10Th insts., the
action Of our Chamber Of Commerce,
the coal dealers and others. l would
suggest that the citizens Of your city
take sim lar action. | believe you
have a b Jard Of Trade, and perhaps
a Steamboat Association. The iufu-
ence Of these bodies properly used will
have much weight IN Congress. We
talk Of a Convention here shortly. IF
1t Is held, your city viii be requested
to send delegates, and l trust they
viii attend.
We want Congress to adopt a gen
eral plan for bridging the rivers. We
insist that the navigation must not be
practically DESTROYED, as It will be if
these nuisances are permitted every
where. Everything carried upon the
rivers will be taxed to pay the losses
at these bridges.
The Niagara Railroad Bridge IS $50
feet span-forty trains a day pass
over 1t.
The Covington and Cincinnati
Bridge is l.057 feet span, and the
s r0Hgesf ia the world
The bridge now building at st.
Louis, Is 70 have one span 5I5 feet,
and two Of 800 feet.
Very respectfully yours.
THEO. Cook.
On Saturday last, a large meeting Of