Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1879-12-27
THE BRIDGE CASE.


Many persons have been msinformed about the
facts Of the lawsuit between the Harner's Ferry
Bridge Company and myself, and as false i'm
preston that am unnecessarily and cautiously
obstruciing the building of this bridge, has been
sedulously cultivated, publish The following
statement:
/. | own a valuable ferry which yields $500 a
year, and is valued for taxation at $4,000. Ny
title to this ferry has been vindicated by three
different courts.
?. The Constitution Of our State, declares that
private property shall not be damaged Tor the use
OF corporate until Just compensation shan
have been paid or secured u be paid.
S. The Bridge Corporation propose 20 operate
a toll bridge near this ferry, which will draw Oh
all OF its travel. The ferry is now worth at leas;
$, 000 after the Bird is opened, II will not be
worth 50, because all the tolls will GO iatn the
pockets Of this Bridge Company.
4. The obi ct of the Corporation Is to spend as
little money as possible because the cheaper the
bridge, the larger will be the dividends The
rates Of toll are fixed by the County Court and
will be the whether the bridge costs SIS, 900
or $4,000. IL the Corpora ton can escape making
compensation for the ferry, the bridge-stocS may
pay 10 per cent. whereas ii they have b pay So
600 damages, it viii only psy per cent. The
people want bridge, but it does not matter to
them whether the capitalists who build 1t, make
money OF lose money.
5. Before the Company had spent any more y or
after a thorough examination OF the law, was
confident hat they could not set up competition
10 my ferry until they paid, or secured to be paid
just compensation.
twill be observed two questions are involyed; ;
LIST. Is this Bridge Corporation liable Ia damages
TO the neighboring ferry?
! proposed 10 submit this question OF law TO Mr..
Walsh, Of Cumberland, or TO any other strictly
/ frst-cass lawyer.
7 2nd. II it be decided that the Ferry is entitled
90 compensation, then the question arises-liow
much shall be paid by the Bridge
offered 20 submit this question Of fact 20 three
/ impartial men, OF to a Jefferson County jury.
Again, | made a further proposition. that
would not apply for an injunction, provided they
would give me good security TO pay such judy
ment as nigh recover in an action for damages.
Ny offer was, that the Courts should decd c
whether was entitled to compendium. and i;
they decided in my favor, then the security should
/ be bound for the amount awarded By jury.
Ny letter was read in a meeting OF the Company,
but DO answer was made.
| 6. We all know that these corporations fire.
/ quenty dodge their Just debts bv giving deeds of
take the risk. and therefore invoked that prot c.
] ton which the law has thrown around the proper
IS Of every individual But my offer TO the Com
pany is still open. | will do all can 70 hasten
the completion of the bridge, II they will give
security 20 pay the damages, provided the Court
decides that am entitled t. conf ensatlon.
Hence, It is obvious the delay in building the
bridge Is not caused by my unreasonable opposi-
ton, but by the Efforts Of this Corporation 10
escape paving damages, even although the Court
decides ] am entitled TO them.
IL il all ronserse TO talk about my obslruct c e
the bridge: this Is a struggle between citizen,
trying to protect his private property, and n
Co. poration that wants "to build big bridge
with a little money" IT Ia worse than absurd 20
say that ] an doing an irjury to the people OF
llarpeI's Ferry. Half the work is done. The
bridge is certain TO be built. These gentlemen
have got their money tied Up aud arc bound to
finish It, although certain capitalists, who went
into this enterprise as a speculation, will nctmake
/ as much money rs they expected.
II the present managers are either unable or
unwilling u pay the just debts Of the Corporation,
and 20 carry the work through. we have men who
will take hathas been done OF their hands ard
finish the bridge with all dispatch. But those
concerned may rest assured, that If understand
the law they will never open this bridge until
my rights are secured.
J. ". MASON.
Charlestown, December %, ls79-lt.