The national Republican. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1866-1870, 1869-10-27
The Public buildings aud Ground,
GEN. MICHLER's REPORT



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Thu animal report of General N. Michler
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TO General Humphreys, Chief OF Engineers.
Thu report Ia n full ana complete document,
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the Following abstract.
In opening his report General Mlchler
.,,uass IN the .,.c,aI ,enort Iate,v made in
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resaru 70 river improvements "h'en ~ e'
has not been acted upon.
During the past year the corporate authori,
,,es Of Georpetovn have caused the bar Of the
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10 rect AT mean low tide, ana TO O Width OF
about 80 feet, thus removing about $4,000
cubic yards of mud Mt n cost of less than
s,o noS NJ 80. -. %, h.en taken bv
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tho Government In executing pi~n "
maneut improvement, as was suggested In
General Mlchicr's last report, on account OF
M appropriatIon having been made, Fsti.
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mates are euo"'''eu 'o' 'uo eo''o' '"o "oiA'
aud II Is stated the entire amount can be
probably expended during the present fiscal
wear.
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Inc various or'uges across tue ro'o"a'
belonging to the Government are referred TO-
Benuing's bridge Is stated to be In good con-
dit,on. with the exception of the flooring,
Ii, 1. rnroh worr ana v,,I bav. 10 h. ~.
Nnlea :, nue. "o"' "uN NJ. ~. ".
newed during next year Inc navy iMd
bridge stands In need OF many repairs. The
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The draw, although NOT mucn used' 80
constructed as to render travel over 1t, II not
dangerous. at least disagreeable. Il should
n. ai,o,.a az A.. N co,form IN the ievel of
the roadway oil the oridge.
In referring to the report already made by
him In regard to permanent bridge across
the Potomac, General Michler remarks
1.-THE Importance OF a permanent aud sub
stautial bridge at or near the point indicated
has been sufficiently we'll established. II is
to be hoped that the necessary action will
be taken to accomplish an object which IL
so much desired, and which will tend SO
much towards advancing the interests of
the capital" In respect TO the Long bridge
General Michler states that the remarks
made In his last report remain still In force,
and prove the necessity Of erecting q more
substantial, suitable and architectural struc-
ture. 1t Is to be regretted that the river
approaches to the city should present such
an uuseemly appearance. This bridge has
been for so many years the means Of inter.
course between Washington and the oppo-
site shore that 1t would be very difficult to
direct attention from the old well-beater
truck Such beinv tho caae Con Nichle,
strongly urges a permanent structure. alik
ornamental and useful, which should be g.
planned as TO remove very serious obstruc
lions created by the existing bridge, whicl
have n tendenev 70 permanently ipIure tn
channel of the river, The present bridge 4
old, and Is now held together more by eTtr,
braciup. straininp rods and other ambulance,
than by the timbers employed in The orieina
plan Of construction, II Is recommendef
that some necessary statutes be enacted Il
prevent the freouent occurrence of accident,
by vessels running AGAINST the bridge Will,
passinp through the draws. These acct
dents In MANY cases are caused by careless
ness In steering, Several plans for new an
more architectural bridges have alread
been prepared, but no action has been take
In regard to them, The Aoueduct bridp,
leased by the Alexandria Canal Compan,
has been opened, In addition to canal pu
poses, to ordinary travel since Gen. Michier
last report. great amount Of work he
been required to repair the Chain brda
during the year, two spans being required
be built new. More work remains to b
done, and the importance OF keeping thl
bridge open to travel Is expatlated upon a
length.
This bridge Is largely used by the farmer
Of Virginia, and Is Of vast benefit In supply
Ing the people OF Georgetown with marke
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