Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1882-02-15
The Proposed Bridge at New
London.


The Proposed Bridge at New
London.
How the Matter Looks to an Outsider.
TFrom the Boston ADVERTISED
In Macaulsy's figure of the New ZeeIander
viewing the ruins of London from q broken
arch in the Thames bridge, the doubtful ele-
ments are the man and the desolation, the
bridge Is not an uncertain feature Were
any such prophecy to be made concerning the
city by the New England Thames, the bridge
would be the matter in doubt; for the peo-
pie and papers of Connecticut are exercised
greatly over the proposition to build struc
ture across the river at New London. so that
trains now conveyed by feryboats may
have uninterrupted passage. The question
Is now before committee of the Legislature
and it is asserted, as is usual on such oeca-
sions, that outsiders In strong force are striY-
ing to persuade the lawmakers that the
bridge ought to be constructed without de-
Lay. Allowing for the pronounced emphasis
which each side places upon the circun-
stances of the case, it is fair to bear in mind
certain facts in considering the subject.
Those who oppose the bridge largely base
their conclusions upon the assumption thai
were the building to proceed the I'm of es-
tablishing navy yard at New London must
be abandoned But on the other side II iE
urged that not only is there no navy yard at
New London now, but there Is no likelihood
OF any such government enterprise being I'M
dertaken at that place In long years to come.
Still 1t should be remembered that New Lon
don has been recommended for q naval sta
ton by commissions, repeatedly and the au-
thorltles at Washington are quoted by New
London and Norwich with much ferYor, for
they advise the giving up of the Brooklyn
navy yard and the founding of one at New
London With this official and hopeful re-
port In view, the opponents of the bridge
argue that il would be more than ever mis-
take to erect bridge, for the draw would be
bar to convenient progress and some naval
officers assert that no station should be estab-
ished under such auspices. To this it Is replied
that IN q conversation the Hon T. III Wal
Ter, of counsel for those who wish to con-
struct the bridge, declares that vessels seek
ing harbor never go above the line of the
proposed bridge, and that "all the naxies of
the world together could ride at anchor In
our splendid harbor below the bridge line"
He also suggests that those who have steered
naval vessels into the Brooklyn yard through
the confusion of the East river will be able
to navigate the. quiet Thames, drawbridgs
and all So far as concerns the navy yard, 1t
Is not to be forgotten that the station is yet
unopened, and that the practical con gnfezse
of the site as compared with other proposed
locations, even with a drawbridge in the way,
is decided.
The relative advantages of ferryboat and
bridge are set forth with corresponding di-
yergence of opinion. Mathematical exact
ness is aimed at, without doubt and yet
there seem to be discrepancies when the
statements are studied by calm dweilers in
adjoining States. A delay shich recently oc-
Cured is cited by the advocates of the bridge
as an argument in their favor During
storm, detention of three, or according to
another account, eight hours: took place at
he A i
Thus the discussion was brought to practi-
cal plane. 1t is said that the ordinary time
IS almost precisely sixteen minutes from the
time of stopping the train on one side and
starting on the other. certainly brief space,
and the accident and long delay re-
ferred to are classed by q paper
published near the Thames among things
s.rare as hens teeth" There is no need to
affirm the probability that under either sJs-
tenn, bridge or boat, trouble viii come sooner
or later. The perfection of travel is not Jet
attained. This, of course, is one of the
minor considerations in the discussion and
yet so earnest b the controversy that it is ar
gued at length, IL not with breadth, and no
doubt each departing kpat is watched with
anxious es and al est.y chronometers of
greater or lessaoo SO
The wishes OF Inose persons who are most
interested, the people living sas0g the
Thames and in the towns near - hand
been expressed in town messfngs. Norwich,
New London, Lease-1z Waterford, East
Lyme and other communities have voted
against the bridge. A majority of the news
papers of Connecticut, likewise, are cited as
opponents of the measure. It would not be
right, however, to say that the railway cor
porations who desire the bridge have no
claims, because the people of the vicinity say
they do not care for the structure Il easily
appears in any such case that both the cor
he &xaw ALI has
rights and interests. Other things being
equal, the companies are not only to be al
lowed but expected and required TO manage
and improve their roads, within proper hEai-
tations SO as to make the journeys Of their
patrons speedy and comfortable. They az
que that many passengers are tinid about
ferryboats, that good time must be assured
with which the weather Is not 70 interfere,
and that with the improvements at this point
win come other changes for the better, double
tracks and like facilities. These gentlemen
ought to be heard with candor. and not &C
counted enemies of New London because they
say bridge Is needed
As matter of history il should be recorded
that the State of Connecticut hss witnessed
many similar contests during the past forty
years. Whenever il was proposed to bridge
nsvigable river the struggle would begln-
The traditional bitterness appears IN the pres
emit debate. Each side may assert with jess
tice that it presents strong reasons for the
position taken, and, however the Legislators
may decide the question, 1t VIII not be IN fae
power of either party TO the controversy to
affirm that the. opposition omitted any argu-
ment or failed to enforce it with vigor- The
matter is eneompassed with difficulties and
the issue Is in doubt It Is within tbs posi-
biiities of the case. however, that in five years
from this time New London may show xia-
tors the wonders of the new navy yard on the
Thames and the bridge near at hand when
viii have proved itself not baRe but bless
ing.