The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-03-13
A MAN VINO SAW BABCoCK.
why the Proposed Bridge Across the Poto-
mae Has Not Been BuiIt.

NEW HAVEN, March lin 1870 Con-
Rress appropriat ed si,C0,OOo Tor a bridge across
the Potomac at Washington, to take the place
OF the old chain bridge. Soon afterward
there was a grand rally Of bridge builders from
all parts of the country to Washington. The
man who should obtain the contract for build
Ing that bridge would be on the high road to
fortune. Among tho expectants was Mr.. X. s.
Dickson, Of this city. Mr.. Dickson had built
bridges of high and low degree in various parts
Of the United states, and he yearncd TO wrestle
with the million already appropriated and the
probable other millions TO be appropriated for
bridging the Potomac. Dickson was fortified
with documents setting forth his II ie and career
IA a builder Of bridges and his undoubted abll-
lty as pile driver and pier constructor. Thus
capture the contract without difficulty. hut a
few days experience In Washington sufYiced to
render him somewhat less sanguine, and bright
visions Of profits which had seemed almost
within his reach gradually became nebulous and
indistinct lie had no diihculty In hiding people
who were willing 90 read his papers and take
something with sugar in II, but somehow, when
Shepherd down to the fourth assistant door
keeper of the House, and when numerous s green,
"straights," he didn't seem to he any nearer to
tho building Of that bridge.
One morning, as Dickson was wandering about
in an amless sort Of way debating with himself
whether 'twere better to pull up stakes and
leave Washington or continue converting green
backs ms aforesaid, he was acrosied 10y n friend
The friend had been in Washington for several
years. and he possessed a knowledge Of which
the unsophisticated Dickson never dreamed.
Morning, Dickso said the gentleman.
Noticed you around here for several days.
What's your lay r ro,,o,., r,,u
tho Potomac but cant get = chance" And
then the would-be bridge builder proceeded to
pour into the ears Of the listener his tulo Of woe
Dickson said the old stager, "have you
seen Babcock =
Just SO. well. what did he sayf'
lie didn't say much much, q, In fact he appeared
not dd he %9'H You the Qd pro
The quiz pro- No, didn't say anything Of
that sort. Didn't suppose II would do In that
well, old fellow, you haven't learned It all
yet. You wont be apt 10 build any bridges In
this part of the country till you get your eve
teeth cut. can tell you. Babcock's the boy for
YOU; II he says you can build that bridge all
you've got to do IL to build II. But lie won't say
50 unless you see him for something handsome
ont Of the make"
This information revealed the Potomac bridge
to Dickson In an entirely new light. lie Looked
M IIabcock once more without loss 81 time. and
the two gentlemen had an exceedingly hmicable
aud satisfactory interview. The details Uf the
interchange Of sentiment arc not known to the
writer, but the leading points OF the argurn ent
finally entered into We're as iolloTs Dickson
bridge. and Babcock. who desired 1t Understood
that he was not disposed to be grasping, would
be satisfied with twenty per cent Of the gross
amount Of the appropriations made or To be
made.
cock, land ia n few days the contract and other
papers will be there"
With this assurance. Dickson packed his car
pethag and took the train north, satisfied that
he had struck pay dirt 1T last.
Babcock proved n good as his word. within
a few days after his arrival home Mr.. Dickson
w~ waited upon by gentleman who presented
credentials As General BabcOck agent together
with the contract and other documents agreed
upon. These documents were duly executed
and delivered. and lMr. Dickson found himself
ia possession Of the coveted contract, while
General NahcOcks agent was Invested with an
agreement whereby twenty per cent of the money
appropriated WIS., secured 10 the aforesaid Bah
cock The agent required bonds to large
amount for the faithful fulflmont Of the con-
tract. and Mr., Dickson finally succeeded in
go on his bond. Everything being now consid-
cred lovely Babcock's men departed, and Dick
son set about graphing with the job.
1t would appear that he had not duly calCu-
lated the magnitude Of the und srtsking nor the
volume of cir ulating medium required TO make
n beginning. for after raising every cent obtain
himself. found that II would lie impossible for
him to commence on that bridge. And lac did
not commence, nor Las that bridge been built
to this day
liaboocN is thus out his twenty per cent, but a
noble effort WIS made ON the part of "com-
mittce" from Washing1 on to real ze soinet hing
out OF DickSon'r bOndsncn. The commit lee
waited ON these gentlemen and told them that
IA Dickson had not compiled with the terms Of
hsv c1 Sns d Would nd ropS,S tS TO-
out. Then one of the hOudsnen told the COM
mittee that the least said about that tho better
ana he proceeded TO give little history OF that
twenty per cent. agreement. which history he
said. would be made public If the matter was
not dropped
since At least not In New Haven. Dickson Is
now building bridges in St Louis.