The daily gazette., 1883-07-14
REPRINTED FROM YESTERDAY
TRE NEW BRIDGE.
Port Deposit People Protesting In Favor
of a Draw.

AhE NEW DktADNEs
Port Deposit People Protesting In Favor |
of u Draw.
baltimore sum-
delegation from Port Deposit, Cecil
county, and vicinity, met the board of
public works at the Executive Chamber in
Annapolis yesterday, and objected to the
construction of the bridge over the Susque-
hanna river as proposed by the Baltimore 81
Ohio K. X. The delegation consisted Of a
number OF well known citiz ms, representing
large interests in Port Deposit, and its most
influential business men, among them j. Nj.
Touchstone, james A Davis, county clerk,
j. M. McClennahan, w. W. Nichols and
e. b. Frazier of the county commissioners
board; j. Harvey Rowland, f. j. Rinehart,
II. A. Stump, j. j. Buck and others. Mr..
r. Harris Archer of Hartford county, and
Milton Y. Kidd, of Cecil, also Joined the
delegation.
Prior to the meeting in the executive
chamber, Mr.. j. X. Cowen, counsel OF the
Baltimore and Ohio, and Chief Engineer
Douglas met the delegation In the State
library, and explained to them the plans for
the construction OF tue proposed bridge.
The contemplated bridge, as heretofore
stated, is q continuous one OF about mile
In length, 80 feet high, and crosses Watson's
Island, In Cecil county. Ten spans connect
It on the west side and three on the east.
The board of public works, witt out whose
approval the bridge cannot be built, met at
Ii o'clock Governor Hamilton, Comp
troler Keating and Treasurer Compton all
eing present, and Immediately began the
consideration of the bridge matter. The
plans OF the proposed bridge, which had
been shown the delegation in the library,
were placed on the Governors desk for the
inspection OF the board. Counsel Cowen
and Chief Engineer Douglas represented the
Baltimore and Ohio, and Mr.. }. NJ. Touch
stone, an ex-member OF the Legislature,
acted as spokesman for the delegation.
Mr.. Touchstone, in behalf OF the citizens
of Port Deposit and vicinity interested in
the bridge matter, said he did not desire it
to be thought that he antagonized the Balti-
more u Ohio Railroad Company in the con-
struction of bridge over the Susquehanna
river, but that certainly their proposition
according to the present plans seemed pre-
posterous. He pointed out the disadvantages
of continuous bridge which only admitted
an S0-foot masted vessel to pass under, aud
the iDconveniences which would accrue, If it
became necessary, as had been suggested, to
take down topmasts of vessels which desired
TO pass through. He represented til, yes
sells engaged in carrying yellow pine were OF
large class, and it was out OF the question
to think that they could pass bridge ~
feet hing: that to construct such bridge
would practically close navigation and in.
flct an outrage upon the rights OF the peo-
pie OF Port Deposit. 'What right has any
corporation to dictate to the captain OF q
vessel to take down his masf You cam
make them strike their masts. Has thel
any corporation the right to infringe upoL
the rights of individuals Z"
Mr.. Touchstone continued to oppose thu
construction of the bridge according to it
present dimensions, but he did not want II
be understood as opposing tile bridge alto
gether. He was willing, and so were TIL
people of Port Deposit, to have draw
bridge or bridge sufficiently high to ADM
the passage of large vessels without draw
say 125 feet high.
Mr.. Cowen, of the Baltimore and Obi
Company, said, from the best iutormatio
he could get, l75 vessels a year of 80 to %
tons burden, 20 to Port Deposit, aggregatin
$4,000 tons. In citing this he said di
not mean to throw discredit upon small ton
mage vessels The company certainly ui
not desire TO infringe upon the rights of any
body, but he certainly thought there shoul
not be any serious objections TO master ot
vessel lowering his topmast in order To =
under the bridge, when it would prevent II
hazardous passage to commerce and to pa
sengers that might occur in the swinging OF
draw 80 feet in the air He did net col
slider it at all practicable to build bridg
more than 80 feet high, or to build bridg
with a draw. The Baltimore and On
Company would not lay single burden q
the people of Port Deposit. 1t wanted the
trade and tr file, and proposed to put 81 ,0l
or $4,000 in Ihe place in building the bridg
Mr. Touchstone said if the propose
bridge is built according to the plan beioi
us vessels, ii they can get freight to HaYr
de Grace, will not come to Port Deposi
The danger of vessels passing the bridg
without draw were also referred to. On
of the objections to new site for the bridg
was that it would entail additional expenl
of between $3O0,0 and S40O, 900.
After other arguments further consider
tion of the matter was postponed unit
Thursday next, the board desiring more il
formation upon the subject
Our Rooms,
Without exception, are the finest furnisht
In the State. The operating room is 7
modelled. New and improved instrument
We have made entire change in our he
and now have first class men. What v
propose to do is to give you first quality
work equal to any made in the city, at Il
same old prices We show you proof al
guarantee satisfaction. Our gallery is OPP
only six days Of the week. Sutterley & &c
203 Market street. Arthur Clare manage