Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1884-05-05
MR.. BARBOUR AND THE FREE
FRIDGE

SSSAA-S W
ing about Mr.. Barbour's ideas respecting
the exact location Of the proposed free
bridge across the Potomac at Georgetown,
what he said when the bill fixing that loca-
ton was up in the House, on the l4th ult.,
as reported in the Congressional Record, is
republshed as follows:
Mr.. Barbour. am directed by the COM
mittee to submit some amendments to the
bill which has been presented by the gentle.
man from Alabama, and desire to say, sir,
in that connection, and as bearing on the
inquiries made by the gentleman from Ohio
MIR. Warner {, that this is not q new propo-
sition. There is an existing appropriation
made by the Forty sixth Congress 10 the act
passed February %, 1881, by which S140, 900
was appropriated for the construction of a
bridge across the Potomac river at or near
Georgetown. 1t was left to the discretion
of the Secretary Of War, on the report of the
military engineer, to select the site Of that
bridge either at the Three Sisters, as it is
called, or at the aqueduct. When the mat
ter came up for final disposition it was found
there was a difficulty about the title to the
aqueduct site-to the piers Of the aqueduct;
and the appropriation Was inadequate to
| build the bridge at the Three Sisters. And
this bill is brought before Congress now
with view to supplying the inadequacy of
that original provision for the construction
of a bridge at the Three Sisters.
| 1t seemed that the trouble about the
auueduct site, which is q more direct one
aud where there are already piers sufficient
upon which to erect bridge-itseemed the
trouble about the title at that time could
not be removed, the bill requiring the fee
simple in these piers should pass 10 the
United States with the construction OF the
bridge But recently the parties have come
together, and it seems now that all the
parties who could make perfect title have
agreed to make that title SO that the aque-
duce site comes up in the competition now
as an appropriate one for the location of the
bridge.
This is not an original appropriation. The
appropriation heretofore made was made
uuate, falling short $4,000, which is appro-
priated by this bill, $40 900 Of which is to
be contributed by the District of Columbia
and $4,000 by the Government of the
| United States. So after all it is only q
charge of S4O,0O upon the Treasury.
/ will say, in reply to what has fallen
from the gentleman from Indiana Mr..
Holman that understand it has been the
practice always from the beginning Of the
Government that the United States Govern
ment should build the bridges over the
streams surrounding Washington city. They
have built the bridges over the Eastern
Branch. Away back in General Jackson 5
time they built the Long Bridge. And
believe they built the Chain Bridge. And
here is bridge essential for the connection
of the District with the country on the Eir-
gina side of the river and essential TO Ell.
able persons to pass conveniently to Airing.
ton Cemetery and to Fort Alyer, where they
have signal station, TO which it is the i'm
mediate and direct approach. These two
places are only half mile apart. One is
used now as toll-bridge, and to the great
detriment, inconvenience, and cost of the
country people who come here to market
and who at present are compelled to cross
that toll-brdge.
Then the old Long Bridge, which for a
long time supplied the wants aud accDmlno-
dated the people on the other side of the
river, was by act Of Congress given to rail
road company and is now paruleled with a
railroad bridge. The railroad company i:
compelled to keep up the bridge for vchi-
cles The result is that the two lines OIL
railroad and the way for vehicles are right
close together, and TO pass that bridge with
vehicles is Il matter of extreme difficulty
and danger. or course there are teams that
can pass it. bu. "a general thing there is
a risk of life and property in crossing where
40 many railroad trains are continually in
transit
Under the circumstances l DO not think
the committee ought TO hesitate 10 make
this small additional appropriation for an
object which is so much wanted, which will
accommodate the markets Of Washington
which will accommodate the purposes OF
the Government in connection with Airing
ton, and will accommodate the numerous
visitors from all parts Of the country who
want to 60 to Arlington TO see the national
cemetery and to Fort Myer signal station.
All these things are to be taken into account
as part of the accommodation.
move as an additional section to the bill
what send to the desk.
SEC 2. That for the purpose Of establishing 4
free bridge and in lieu of erecting the bridge pro-
rded for in the preceding section the Secretary Of
War may, in his discretion, purchase the Aque-
duct Bridge now crossing the Potomac River, at
| Georgetown: Prouided, Said bridge. with all the
| appurtenance5. rights. and franchises connected
| Herewith, including piers and real estate for
| abutments and approaches, can be purchased for
sum not exceeding $50, 900. to be paid to the
]
| the Alexandria Canal Company the said $50 900
to be applied to the discharge and satisfaction of
| certain judgments against said canal company
which are liens against its property; which sums,
| or so much thereof as may be necessary, may be
paid out of the money appropriated by this act
Prorided further. That good and sufficient title
thereto can be secured to the United States. TO be
approved by the Attorney General Of the United
States within sixty days after this bill shall be-
come law 1t is further provided that the Al
exandria Canal Company, or its present lessees.
shall have the right to maintain at their own cost
| and expense canal aqueduc: of the same width
and depth as the one now in Use. and to attach it
to or suspend it from said bridge; and whenever a
permanent bridge shall be erected upon said site
the same shall be of Efficient strength to sustain
a canal trunk or aqueduct; but the construction,
attachment, and maintenance of such trunk or
aqueduct shall be such as the Secretary of War
may determine and shall be without cost or lia-
bility to the United states the District of Co.
lumbia.
In reply to statement that the Commits
sioners of the District of Columbia are OPP
posed to the construction Of the bridge, Mr..