The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1883-05-17

Congress has endeavored by special act to
provide the necessary safeguards in the
construction Of bridges over this important
stream, not only the interests OF commerce
but the interests OF the Government max.
ing this necessary. Large amounts Of
money are annually spent to improve navi.
CATION, and lit is no more than right
that everyone shall be compelled to 30 act
as TO not interfere with the work done by
the United States for the protection OF navi.
CATION. With this view the following is
given for the benefit Of the, readers of the
l1NrELLiGEScER in connection with the
bridge Of the Point Pleasant aud Ohio river
road at Point Pleasant. ~, Ca1 ~
DANGERS TO NAVIGATION.
The Chief OF Engineers, with reference
to this subject, says that "a wide span is
required in all Ohio river bridges for the
special use Of coal tows, and the best loca-
ton for this span depends upon variety
Of practical considerations connected with
the navigation OF great coal floats that are
fully known only TO those whose business
| It is to navigate these fleets during all
weathers, at all hours Of theday and night,
and at all stages Of the river, (above six
feet) and in the varying currents OF the
different stages. The best channel for coal
tows Is more dependent on the shape Of the
river and the nature and direction OF the
prevailing currents than the position Of the
low water channel, as coal Is not brought
to market during low water.
This bridge will be an excellent one to
the coal trade, on account OF It's relation
to the Parkersburg bridge, the next bridge
above. 1t is both difficult and dangerous
to run bridges at night with coal trains,
and therefore every effort is made 10 pass
all bridges by daylight. The usual rule is
to run the Steubenville bridge during the
morning succeeding the departure from
Pittsburgh, and the Bellaire bridge before
night OF the same day. From ,Bellaire to
Parkersburg Is eighty.nine miles, and this
distance Is traversed in one night, the tow.
boat being stopped and the fleet allowed
to float II there Is likelihood Of getting TO
the Parkersburgh bridge before day. Un-
der past conditions fleet after passing
Parkershurg has an open river to Cincin-
natl. With the Point Pleasant bridge
there will be another bridge to be run at
point eighty miles below P4rkersburg.
Should fleet be late in getting 10 Parkers.
burgb, or be detained below that point, 1t
will be necessary either to stop the fleet for
the night and thus lose twelve hours, or to
take the risk OF running the new bridge af-
ter dark. 1t is therefore evident that the
bridge will necessarily be 6 serious OBJ.
struction TO the shipment OF coal.
HOW DISTRACTIONS MAY BE oBvrATED.
"There are several methods by which the
amount Of obstruction might be greatly re-
duced.
"Ifthe channel span were increased to
fye hundred feet, and one pier were placed
on the Ohio shore at the tilteen.foot mark,
fleets could hug the Ohio shore and drop
through the channel span almost as well at
night as during daylight, as the shore and
the lights on the bridge would be sufficient
guides.
"Whle we would be glad to have such
channel span, We have not felt justified in
demanding so great an increase over the
width now required by law. This five
hundred loot opening would have the same
eastern pier ss the four hundred foot open.
ing, - -,
stream from the proposed western chan
mel pier, and connected with the shore at a
point from 500 to 1000 feet above the
bridge, the bridge might be safely run at
night, as fleets could flank against this crib.
work without fear Of being caught on the
western channel pier.
"The construction OF this crib work has
not been insisted on in view OF the decis.
ion OF the acting Judge Advocate General
that the Government could not compel the
construction OF similar dixie above the
Beaver bridge.
II ia possible that the difficulty OF run.
ming the bridge at nights by coal fleets may
be removed, or greatly lessened, by proper
breast lights and distant range lights.
"As this Is a matter that comes under
the jurisdiction OF the Light House Board,
il is only mentioned Ia this connection be.
cause improved methods Of lighting will
be more needed at this bridge than at any
others on the Ohio river, and II seems i'm.
portant that special attention should be
called 10 this necessity"
In connection with this subject It Is no
more than fair to say that the bridge peo.
pie have met the wishes OF the Engineer
Departments, and that the Chief of Engi.
neers "highly approved the construction OF
the bridge as a 'shingle' bridge, as all OF
the openings are thus available at all
stages Of the river" 1t was not thought
necessary to prescribe any widths for the
opening Of any OF the other spans, as a due
regard for economy in masonry compelled
the Bridge company to give such widths as
will suffice for all kinds OF ascending navi'
cation, and for all descending navigation
other than coal tows. This matter oil
bridges across the Ohio River is one re-
ouiring careful attention, and considerable
time was given to 1t during the last Con-
erees, In which the House Committee on
Commeies made m elaborate report on the
subject. A symopsiS OF that report was
given In this correspondence at the time.
g' FAsclsATIoNs OF THE CAPITAL.
Although every body affects to dislike
Washington as city, 1t is mysteriously
true that their actions hardly bear out their
words. Members Of Congress and others
in official life make believe" that they
are tired OF the capital and It's society, out
even after the expiration Of their political
term they regularly turn up" in their ac'
customed haunts, and can at times besce
around the hotels which are supposed ito
know them no more" The truth Is that
there is something fascinating about politi
cal life In Washington and It Is bard, even
for the retired Congressman, to shake otl
old associations, and as o consequence he
regularly visits the scenes Of his former
triumphs-or defeats It can safely be 8 SAID d
Washington leayesit, at the expiration oi
his term OF office, TO return no more. l am
led to this hy seeing several oi our West
Virginia people about Washington on
several occasions since tho adjournment oi
Congress, notably Colonel Ben Wilson
The Colonel has been n great favorite in