, 1881-10-02

OF Oruef Ln1L lle} "GIc luiptlSSaDlc u ll46
public. The interruption Of travel was ut
Clark, State, and Lake streets, all Of which
are on the lines of llorse-railway travel. The
amount of tcanling driven to Rush street
bridge was of such Il character that it would
not be surprising if that structure gave way
under the increased strain and burden. This
will be the eighth day since State street
bridge was disIocated and necessarily closed
to travel.
1t has been evident ever since the adoption
OF the last bridge ordinance that the Masters
Of the steamers, tugs, and sall-vessels III the
river were intent upon having revenge. 1t
has been evident that their purpose has been
touefeat the enforcement OF that ordinance
by so disabling the bridges that they would
be closed to public travel n1d open at all
times to vessels. The action at Clark street
bridge on Saturday morning was willtu1. de-
lberate, and malicious. The bridge was
closed the officers of the vessel were notified.
and the law forbade the opening Of the bridge.
The attempt to force it was intentional. Tho
following report has been submitted by
Capt. Hathaway from the East Chicago Ay
enue Police Station:
SIR: at U:05 O'clock this morning the steam
barge Marine. Capt. Barney Wtldes commandlDg,
CAME up the river tow.tru Clark street bridge
md uvea :snal ~ ths bfigetenaSr to : qpen; pen
his duty IL keep tho bridge closed according to
the ordinance rclalng to the same, and s'Enalea
the Captain of the barge tI1nt the bridge should
be kcpt closed. After the use Of some profane
cltutncc the CAPTAIN put on more steam ana r1sn
the barge into tho north end Of the bridge. breaking
the hnits and several crOSs-0eamS and disabling
tue bridge
The officer then relates how two men III a
buggy on the bridge were nearly killed, and
their horse and buggy we're flung into the
river.
This malicious slaw-breaker, Wildcs, slonld
have been promptly arrested and "yanked" :"
into the calaboose. We are astonlshed that
in the face Of his crime the police did not
collar him anti takc him to the lookup.
Why was this plain duty neglected? The
steamer should be seized and lfbelcd and
the malicious Captain should bo visited by
the heaviest penalties of the law. The at
tempt to destroy the bridge and drown the
people on it must not be passed over, but
punished.
There can be no apology for this villian-
ors war Oh the peoples bridges. Unless the
city authorities intend to encourage the de-
struction Of all the bridges in the city they
will put grip on these reckless rascals
which will teach them that tie city and its
people have some rights that swearing stean-
boat Captains are bound to respect.
4 law not enforced carries with it an in
yitatlon to its violation. Tho three bridges
yesterday out Of orter may receive several :
additions before tomorrow morning. Other
bridges on the South Branch have been
knocked out of order in a willful and 1na-
licious manner at earlier dates but the war
seems to be waged at present against those
on the main river. The destruction Of these
bridges is a serious interruption to business
and great public Inconvenience and loss.
The mere cost Ut repairs to the bridges is a
tritle compared with the loss to the public re-
sultng FROM the interruption to travel and
traffic. The destruction Ut one bridge forces
all undue amount Of strain on the other
bridges, endansering life and property.
Tie only protection to the public is in
the prompt and vigorous prosecution and
punishment for the violations of the law.
Iii this case at Clark street bridge yes
terday morning the crinlinality Of the officers
of the steamer was deliberate and avowed,
and the failure Of the city authorities to
prosecute the guilty Can only be attributed
by the public to sympathy and connivance
OH their part with the offending officers Of
the tugs and vessels. There should not be Il
tion and punishment Of those responsible for
this assault upon Clark street bridge.