The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1870-12-12
Tha Free Bridge.

MONCAS. -.....'.' -
The Free Bridge.
TIL. very important enterprise W. s "as
.-.,iasd TO say, is at last about 70 y. sN:
s.ssf,,, The main question al th.s .''A,e !, !,
49, rho roint of the river at which II Snai.
~ hn,,t. In a published letter, Colohe'
prrr,S. of Chesterfield, reviews the 'ou,
rontes that have been surveyed by Coione,
C,,pxr engineer. and argues IN favor o.
the fourth, which crosses the rl'c' " ~.
Richmond SIDE at the foot OF 9th st'ec''
d..d the three first named are SO ''oss W.
ra,her That there Is little difference oe'n.I"
them. The frs, Is Mayo's bridge anu
second and third will aprI'ae.,. nu;dro-
1nond shore very near TO Mayo $ orlus.I
~ tho ea:, ard the other on the
49,. s;d. If II, In the matter OF cost LUG
,''|s.s 1910 has greatly the advantage. Line
animate stand: thus
havo's ridge ..............'''''''' Wv
Route 40. 3...........-....'.....' -. WV
Route No. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ano
r,,n O.. d...............'...'.' 's'NN
ua,n,,r that which we think is the best
II all the routes is cheaper than the lho>'
oos,lv Of them by $4,000, and cheaper
than No. 2, the lowest OF the first 1hree' ps
the sum of $4,000.
Col nrrp,S's argument Is conclusive, ana
there should not be two opinions upon Ine
subject. A free bridge must end III a0o''
,sb,nr tolls for crossing james river; ana
ia tree bridge were built close TO MAYO
bridge it would end in two free bridges 81
near each other that both together wouto
have only the facilities that would De auoid-
ed by one. That Of ltseI Is sumefen' "
settle the question but then The ecoholh!
Of lhs route TO 9th street Is another arsu-
ment that is OF itself conclusive. ana YET
it has other most important advantages
over any other. The rapiul'y OF Tue
flow Of water along the site OF thls
route prevents the rise OF water IN noou
at that point to so great height As below.
For instance, in the late Hood tue rise III
the line Of 9th street was only w'te ana
Qu4rter feet, while ut MAlo's Bridge Tue
rise was trenty-Sir and quarter Jeet :
ANY Que can readily perceive the advantage
of the position Of the route 40. 4. Inc
foundation tor the piers is the best possible,
and the bridge upon piers only thirteen
feet above low water would be as safe as
MAYo's bridge upon piers thirty feet high.
But the bridge along route. No. 1 would
strike the very heart Of Richmond, while
on the Manchester side it will i'll few
years be equally central. The tendency OF
river towns is always up the stream.
Richmond has in her growth moved thus,
and II ever there is all exception to this
rule, It Is established that this exception
cannot be here. The circumstances plainly
encourage the growth Of population up
the river. So that in few years the town
OF Manchester, for the want Of this bridge
across to 9th street in Richmond, would he
subjected to very great Inconvenience.
The fact is, the arguments are so I'M
menSely In favor Of this route that opposi-
ton cannot spring from any motive but self
interest or from any idea save the most con.
tracted. Whether we consider the scenery
snd the salubrity Of the situation, or the
practical reasons In regard to cost, accom-
mediation, and durability, the decision is ali
the world 10 nothing in favor of route
no. 4.
The building of the bridge on this route
will secure another free bridge upon the
site of Ma!o's bridge. The building OF
either Of the two located near that bridge
cannot possibly Increase the public accom-
mediation should Mayors bridge afterwar ards
become free.
We trust that those having control Of the
matter will settle the question in favor oil
the upper route. Fifty years ago bridge
was built on the site OF this proposed
bridge. 1t was sort Of plank road-the
planks being nailed upon sills fastened to
the rocks by strong bolts. 1t was only 8
little above low water. This was Trent
bridge. 1t was much Of the time under
water and yet its lower rates SO affected the
business Of Mayo's bridge that Col. Mayo
deemed it bis interest to get rid of It's com
petition by paying an annuity to It's owner
during his lifetime.
1t Is time that We had the pasEage-way
across James river freed from taxation. o.
Tho two sides Of the river, exclusive Of tn
counties there are 10000 people. We SUP
pose that there is not another case Of sue
population accumulated near the shore
OF a river like the James-not wider, an
get 80 easily bridged-psying a tax f
crossing 1t. II there is another like it,
should only increase surprise. One
enough, but it Is no credit to this COMMIT
nifty that that one Is here in this locality, S
favored by nature.