The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1885-10-29
WASHINGTON GOSSIP.
The Weeks DOingS at Tie Ma
ti0nal Capital.
THE "LoNG BRIDGE

THE "LoNG BRIDGE
There are many indications that before great
while the famous " Long Bridge" that spans
the Potomac at Washington, must GO No
official action has yet been taken in that direc-
ton, but the impression is quite general that
the DAYS of the historic structure NUM-
bered The name was familiar to the country
during the war. Hundreds of thousands OF
soldiers crossed and recroSsed it. Many times
it shook beneath the tread Of regiments,
hricades aud divisions marching to the front"
MANY thousands of brave men who crossed it
with their faces southwark did not return.
Through all those days weeks months and
years, wagons trailed over it, laden with supplies
of food clothing and ammunition for the army.
Hundreds OF amhulances bore across it their
freight OF wounded and suffering soldiers. The
Long Bridge was the connecting link between
Washington and the brave, patient and long
suffering Army of the Potomac.
1t is a wooden structure, the framework rest
ing chiefly on piliug, with few stone piers
Age is telling rapidly upon it. Many marks
of decay are plainly visible. 1t is probable
that in the near future a new bridge will be
built The people of Georgetown, which is
situated couple of miles above. have always OPP
posed, and do now the existence of this bridge
at all. They regard it as an obstruction TO the
navigation of the channel, and great detri-
nent to the commerce of the town. When the
matter was first agitated in Congress away
Georgetown did their utmost TO prevent the
passage Of the bill granting q charter TO the
Potomac Bridge Company. The bill passed,
however, Feb. 3, lS0S. The name of the cor
poration was afterward changed TO the Wash
ington Market Company and by it the bridge
was built. The charter was granted for 90
years.
But the company had bad luck with the
bridge The people of Georgetown spent
good part of the time on their knees praying
that big food might come and wash it away.
Their prayers must have been of the kind that
"availeth much" as they seemed to have been
answered. In 1899 the rains descended and
the foods came, and when it was all over there
was but little left Of the bridge. The George
town people gave thanks with harp AID timhrel,
and reioced with exceeding great JOY. They
determined 10 resist with all their force any
ATTEMPT to rebuild the obnoxious structure.
But the freshet broke the back OF the COM
many as well as of the bridge. Negotiations
were begun for a transfer to the United States
of what was left, and all rights granted under
the charter. An agreement was finally reached,
and under an act of Congress passed in 1882 the
company sold to the Government for $4,000 all
its right, title, aud interest. By an act passed
the following year Congress appropriated $780,
600 for a new bridge. Georgetown kicked ire
mendously on the location, insisting that it
should be built at or above that place. the object
of the people being 10 compel all travel to and
from Virginia to pass through their town.
Their circumstances did not avail, and the
bridge was rebuilt on the old site. 1t was
opened in 1885. The event was celebrated with
great ecat. President Andrew Jackson and
his Cabinet marched across it at the head of
great procession, with btaSs bands and all the
accessories Of such an occasion.
To Dacate the people of Georgetown the Gov
ernment built bridge over the Potomac three
or four miles above that place. This gave them
share of the country trade from Virginia. 1t
was first built Of boats, held together by chains,
and foated on the water. From this 1t was
given the name OF the - Chain Bridge" The
old bridge has been replaced by handsome
iron structure, but it is still known, and prob
ably always will be- as the Chain Bridge. One
other, the "Adueduct Bridge" crosses directly
ut Georgetown. 1t was built TO carry the canal
across the river.
AFTER THE LANDGRA BEERS.
Land Commissioner Sparks has evolved a
plan that is intended to put stop to one of
the landsuatching schemes practiced by sptcu-
latiYe shagpers in the Territories. Some time
ago the landgrabbers managed TO have a law
pissed bE Congress enabling intending settlers
to have any part "a the public lands surveyed
and registered for entry by depoSiting with the
Surveyor General OF the district enough money
to cover the cost. Having obtained the law
they wanted, the capitalists and Spectators
cattle kings, enterprisiug Western bankers
Insurers and sharpers Of various kinds with
Il
trifiug consideration, the signatures of
many bogus residents as the case required. put
up as much money as was necessary and had
the deputy surveyors put TO work on the par
ticular tracts Of land that they intended TO
make their own. This done and the remainder
OF the scheme was easily accomplished, result
ing IN their getting immense tracts into their
hands. Tbs scheme has been practiced i'll all
the Territories. By its operation the whole
State of Nevada practically has been sDatched
and appropriated by 3 few dozen cattle kings.
timber men, mining syndicStes, money-iender5
and land spectators. Owing to the peculiarly
mountainous character of Nevada, all the best
tracts OF land are in the valleys, IN the neigh
borho0d Of rivers, and in scattered patches
where timber forests grow. When these
gobbled up nobody cares for what remains.
All these valuable pieces of land have been sur
vcyed and patents of them obtained hy the
men who make 2 business of it; and having
secured the choice bits the remainder having
no claimants. is at their mercy. To reclaim
what has already been fraudulently obtained
cannot be done until courts established in
the Territories that cannot be bought bribed
and controlled by the holders of the ill-gotten
titles; hut to prevent any further operations Of
this class the Commissioner of the General
Land 0;iioe, with the approval Of Secretary
Lamar has issued the following order to all
registers and receivers OF local land offices III
the United States:
Of any township l. transmitted TO you by the Sur
veyor-General you will not regard such plat
officially received and flied III your Office until
the following regulations have been complied
with
First You will forwiih post a notice In a N
spcious place in your Office, specifying the town
ship that las been surveyed aud stating that The
plat OF survey will be flied in your Office Il day
TO he fixed by you and named in the notice, which
shall be not less than 30 days from the date of such
notice. and that and after such day you Will he
prepared 70 receive applications for the entry of
lands in such township.
Second You yill also send copy Of such notice
TO Che losDa-tcrs of the pOst-oiiices nearest the
land aud copy 10 each clerk of n court of record
la your district, with request that the same be
cOi.spiCGcus!y posted ia their respective offices
Third. hOu viii furnish tine public press in your
district with copica oi such notice a matter OF
the matter in answer to inquiries for which you
will charge no fee and otherwise ~ you may be
able TO do without mourning advertising expenses.
ASSISTANT SECRETARY COON RESIGNS.
"Lcaf by leaf" the Republican rose IS fall
ing. Charles +. Coon, Assistant Secretary Of
the Treasury. who, though Republican, has
held tie fort for nearly eight months, has
signed in compliance with polite request
from Secretary Manning. When the latter was
appointed 10 the head Of the Treasury Mr.
Coon offered his resignation, bat Mr.. Manning
asked him 60 remain. Mr. Coon has been ia
the Treasury for many years and is perfectly
familiar with ali its departments. During the