Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1868-09-11

ont full vote. Yet the relative Democra'-
ic increase is greater than that of their OPP
ponents. while as compared with the iass
presidential election. there is handsome
gain. . .h
later estimates than is contained IN 'ne
above figures, give the Radical candidate
for Governors majority of twenty five tnou-
sand while in the Legislature there are al
ready Mray-seren Democratic members o,
the Legislature elected, and one-tnir OF
the State to hear from. Last year the Dem
ocrats had less than twenty in the entire
State
The rejoicing over this doubtful victory
when victory was certain, is one OF the
surest evidences of weakness. The Radl-
Gals are indeed thankful for small favors
The railroad Bridge Company Progress
of the Work.
In order to while away few hours, the
Associate paid visit on Sunday last to
Hilton, and ascertained some considerable
idea of the progress of the works gong on
in that neighborhood.
Many have supposed this stupendous
work would have been completed ere this
but the public will not be surprised at the
apparent delay when they are made &C
quainted with the many difficulties the
contractor has had to encounter. The
work at the North East River, with the e1-
ception of an accident in sinking the man.
moth cylinder, upon which the draw
bridpe rests. which occasioned some de-
Law. was accomplished without serious or
unexpected trouble. The bridge at this
point has all been completed with the ex-
ception of track, painting, &c; and the
draw, which is quite extensive, has been
placed in position, but yet requires some
work, which is being done as fast as cir
cumstances will admit. The work Of
crossing the rice fields and swamps to the
northwest, or the main stream of the Cape
Fear, has all been completed some time, or
very nearly SO. Perhaps the rails may re-
ouire to be placed securely on the track.
About this latter we are not sure.
The great drawback has been expe-
rienced in sinking the immense centre pier,
or cylinder, in the Northwest River. This
monster cylinder has already been sunk
thirty-two feet below the bed of the river
being sixty-nine feet two inches below the
grade of the road, and yet no foundation
has been obtained. The work of sinking.
however, is still progressing night and day.
In the downward course of this cylinder,
quicksand, interspersed with small boul-
ders of limestone and blue mari, cypress
logs, any number of stumps, roots, &C.,
were encountered. One of the logs was
thirty-four inches in diameter, and was
found many feet below the surface of the
river bed, but was finally removed by the
strenuous exertions of the divers. We
noticed at Hilton large flint stone, found
some thirty feet or more below the bed OF
the river. How this rock got there we
leave for others to determine. Perhaps
it may have t7oated down from the noun
tains during the great food of which we
read.
The delay occasioned by the difficulties
stated (which it was impossible to foresee)
will postpone the completion of the work
beyond the time anticipated by many, but
when finally finished it will rank among
the tirst-class structures of the country. A
due regard is paid to the cost it will occa-
sion the Company, and the most economi-
cal system, compatible with the necessary
of the structure, is observed.
The Golfer dam for the Northwest abut-
ment has been placed in position. It is
unfortunate that the sub contractor on this
dam has been Frustrated from sickness and
We regret to learn now lies at the point of
death.
The difficulties encountered in sinking
the centre pier has so far been overcome,
and it is hoped firm foundation will soon
be reached. Much sickness has, we learn,
existed among the divers lately. There
are five of this class of men employed, and
last week they were all down at one time.
They, however, eall improving in health,
and the work is progressing as rapidly as
ANNSoSeSAA@J
slow, but one man at time being en-
abled to operate with the apparatus. They
ire now prosecuting their labors fifty-eight
'eet below the surface of the water, where
hey are forced to remain for six hours at
l time without once coming to the open
.ir.
We cannot close these remarks without
paying due tribute to the indefatigable
zeal, energy and perseverance displayed
~ Mr.. Bollman, the Contractor, and Mr..
Mcdowell, the Superintendent of the Com
oanY. Both have been untiring in their
,xertions, and have been almost constantly
present at the scene of operations. Mr..
3ollman's health has been seriously af-
ected by lis exposure, and he is now sick
n Baltimore. Mr.. Bollman is at this time
represented by his son, who is spoken of
L the highest terms. How Mr.. Mcdowell
las managed to keep we'll after having SO
exposed himself, is a mystery.