The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1869-04-20

bridges as they have prepared their
plans, expended money. and made al!
1862. He had notified Mr.. Garrett, per-
sonally, not to proceed with the con-
struction OF these bridges, while the
question was still pending in Congress;
and this, although perhaps not legal
notice, was given on behalf OF the great
river interests of this community, be-
fore any work had been done on the
bridges. The great point now to be
gained was the repeal of the act of 1868,
and all effort should be directed to that
end.
HON. THos. ]. BINGHAM's REMARKS.
Hon. Thomas J. Bingham was next
called upon, and commenced by stating
that the ground had already been
mainly occupied. He referred to the
ator Foreman, of West Virginia, that
the coal fields of West Virginia, Ken
lucky and Indiana would be ample to
supply the west and south, if there
were no shipments east of Parkersburg.
In other words. that the immense coal
deposits of Western Pennsylvania
might be shut up from further develop
ment. This strange argument of Sena-
tor BoremRn had been copied and con-
demned by the editor Of one of the
Wheeling papers. The people of Wheel
ing would as severely condemn such
shutting up and hemmtng In as
would the people of Pittsburgh. Such
an argument as that advanced by SEN
ator Foreman was both absurd and tal-
lacious, and should be condemned by
all men of large and liberal views. Mr..
Bingham then discussed the bridge
question at some length; stated that
the difference in cost between q three
and a four hundred foot span, was only
about S75. 600, and he was surprised that
30 shrewd a man as Mr.. Garrett would
persist in going on to build the bridges
with the short spans, under all the cir
cumstances, and with the prospect OF a
change in legislation affecting these
structures.
Among other resolutions adopted
were the following:
ReSoLUed, That the erection of bridges
across said river with spans covering
the main channel less than four hum
dred feet is a dangerous obstruction to
the navigation thereof by steam and
towboats, and will greatly increase the
dangers and risks OF navigation, and
tend to destroy the commerce carried
thereon.
RcsoLved, That it Is an act of bad faith
and gross injustice to the cities, towns
and people living along said river,
whose prosperity and very existence de-
ponds on the free and unimpaired nav
igation thereof, to destroy or impair 1t,
to aid remote and rival interests.
ReSOEUed, That the neglect of Congress,
at its last session, to repeal the act OF
July IA, 1862, legalizing the bridge at
Steubenville, and authorizing similar
bridges to be erected across said river
above the mouth oil Big Sandy, evlnced
on the part of that body fragrant dis.
regard of the rights, interests and well
fare OF the people living in the great
valleys of the Ohio and Mississippi.
ottnTnnt ut the
Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Company
to create in themselves vested rights by
the erection OF short span bridges, our
ing the vacation of Congress, Is dellb-
crate unreasonable. unnecessary and
unjust attempt to forestall and prevent
action In the premises by Congress, and
therefore cannot give them any greater
rights than they now have.
RcSOLved, That we do hereby give no.
tice to all persons proposing TO erect
narrOw-spAn bridges over the Ohio
river, during the present season, before
Congress shall have determined the
rights of the parties, that we will con.
tinue to agitate and appeal to Congress
until such nuiSances, if erected, shall
be abated, and that we will ignore all
party fealty, and in casting our votes,
vote only for such men and parties as
will guarantee to US and the people OF
the Ohio Valley our rights upon this
great national highway.
Resolved, That we deeply regret the
narrow and illiberal views of Senator
Foreman of West Virginia, which in
duced him to lend his influence in OPP
position to our interests and those of
his State, thereby betraying the conf
dence reposed in him by the citizens OF
the Great West
RcSOLvcd, That committee OF five be
appointed to confer with the citizens of
Wheeling, Cincinnati, Louisville, aad
other points along the river, with a view
OF holding u convention at an early day,
20 devise ways and means to protect
the free navigation of the rivers of the
national domain.
A committee was appointed to open
correspondence with the President Of
the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Com
pany, with view OF inducing him to
acccde to the same compromise made
between the railroad companies build
ing bridges over the Ohio river at Gin
cinnati, Louisville and Paducah, and
build his bridges with four hundred
feet span over the channel way.