Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1880-01-17
COMMUNICATED.
HARrER's FERRY, Dec. 81, 1879.
To the Editor of the Npirif of Je6er


TO the Editor ofthe Spirit of J.6er-
son: '4
/ have just read communication OF
MIR. Mason's to some Of the county
newspapers, and which has been circu-
lated in the shape of a handbill through
the county, headed "The Bridge Case.
In the present communication, which l
respectfully request you to publish in
your paper, / do not propose to exam
inc the several propositions OF Mr.. Ma
SOD, but will con6De myself to a con-
siderat;on of one alone.
The burden of Mr. Mason's appeal to
the public, aud it's manifest purpose is,
to relieve himself from the odium which
he is conscious he has incurred by ''unue-
cessarily" obstructing the completion of
apublic work vital 10 the prosperity of
Harper's Ferry.
He declares that he has no wish or
purpose, "captiously and unnecessarily"
to obstruct the completion of the bridge
at this place, and that he is simply act.
ing for the protection Of his right of
soil and ferry franchise. He processes
his ertire willingness to submit to
Jefferson jury" how much, if any,
damages he is entitled to recover, for
the injury of his rights. All he wants,
he says, is to have "some security" that
his damages will be paid when court
and jury shall have ascertained them.
His chief apprehension seems to be
that the Bridge Company may give ga
deed of trust" upon their property be-
tore such damages are ascertaned.
Now if these views be honestly and
sincerely entertained by Mr. Mason, has
he not remedies that would have &C
complished all his avowed purposes
without obstructing the completion of
the bridge by such an injunction as he
did sue out; with its supersedeases, at
tachments for contempt, and other most
annoying and embarrassing consequent
ces? Let us see:
He knows full well that his damages
can only be estimated by 50 jury" and to
accomplish that result he must bring an
action ON the case. He further knows
that he had the full right upon the in
stitu,ion of such an action, or before its
institutional he had any just ground
of apprehension-to apply to either the
county or circuit court for an injunction
(Which would have been readily grant
ed, aud not opposed) restraining and
forbidding the Bridge Company from
creating any liens upon their property
until his damages were paid"
No objection would have been made
to any such bill, and he would thus
have acquired right to satisfaction for
whatever damages he may be entitled
10, upon property costing fifteen or
twenty thousand dollars. He admits
that the bridge must be constructed,
sooner or later, and that all his recent
movements can have no other effect but
10 annoy the stockholders, to increase
the cost, and to postpone and delay the
beuefits, which the people of this COM
munity would derive from the compile
ton of the bridge. Had he adopted
such course of procedure as have
suggested, every stone placed on the
piers, every plank put upon the super
structure, every dollar expended upon
the bridge would have been so much of
value added to his security. Looking
to The memorable public demand which
required more prompt and convenient
mode Of transportation than that fur
nished by ferry, his interests would
not have been autagonistical to the com
pletion of this public structure, but the
reverse, for having relieved himself from
the spprehensions of any liens in con-
fct with his rights, he might calmly
have awaited the just and impartial YER
die. of a jefferson jury" to which ar
bitrament the Bridge Company is now,
and has been at all times, ready most
cheertully to submit.
Sharpened by the deep interest they
take in their great public Improvement,
the citizens OF Harpers Ferry keep
watchful eye on MIR. Mason. They de-
cline to accept as current his counter
felt half penny statements OF intentions
and purposes. He may practice delu-
sions upon his own versatile and eccen-
trio intellect, but he cannot delude them.
Actions speak louder than empty pro-
f.ssions PITRTJITS