The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1886-05-05
A BRIDGE FOR BEN TON.
ne1egate TooIe Introduces Bill TO Au-
thoriEe che Construction OF 81 Bridge
Across the Missouri at This
Place.

Mr., Toole introduced the following bill !
IN the 18th inst. which was read twice and |
referred to the committee on commerce
and ordered to be printed: |
BE it enacted by the senate and house Of
rpnresentatives of the United States Of
America in congress assembled, That the
BENTON Bridge Company, corporation
oxisting under the laws of the territory of
Montana, and having authority to con-
struct and maintain q bridge across the
Missouri river at or near Fort Benton, in
the county of Choteau, in said territory,
he. and il hereby, authorized to construct
and maintain, for the purpose of making
more perfect crossing of said river at all
times during the year, a bridge across the
said Missouri river at or near said Fort
Reutor, to be used by said company, its
successors or assigns, for all purposes of
rail and other transportation over said
river. ..s-
Sec 2. That any bridge built under
this act shall be constructed and built
without material interference with the
security and convenience navigation of
said river beyond what is necessary to car
nv into effect the rights and privileges
hereby granted; and in order to secure
compliance with these conditions, the cor
poration, previous to commencing the con-
struction of the bridge. or of the necessary
works in the booms, dikes or piers design
ed to secure the best practicable channel
way for navigation and confine the flow Of
the water to permanent channel, and for
Che guiding of steamboats, and rafts safely
through the draw-spans at said point, shall
submit to the secretary OF war plan OF
the bridge and Of such accessory works,
together with detailed map Of the river
at the proposed site 0f'the bridge, and for
distance of mile below and above the
site, together with all other information
touching said bridge and river and acces-
sory works as may be deemed requisite by
the secretary of war to determine wether
the said bridge, when built, will conform
tothe prescribed conditions of this act;
that, as nearly as practicable, the said
bridge shall be at right angles to and the
piers parallel with the curreht Of said
river; and if it be found hereafter thai the
said bridge or accessory works materially
interfere with the security and conven-
ence of navigation of said river beyond
what is necessary to carry into effect the
rights and privileges hereby granted, by
reason of any defector failure in the ac-
cessory works aforesaid to accomplish the
purpose for which they are designed, it
shall be the duty of the secretary of war
to require the necessary changes to De
made therein, in the interest of navigation
at the expense of the owners: Provided,
That as to any bridge built under this ct,
if the said bridge shall be built Of unbro-
ken and continuous spans, it shall not be
Of less elevation in any case than fifty feet
above extreme high water mark, as under
stood at the point of location, to the bot
tom chord of the bridge, nor shall the
spans of said bridge be less than two hum
dred feet In length, and the main spans
shall be over the main channel of the river
and not less than 206 feet III length: And
provided also, That If any bridge buils TN
der the provisions of this act shall be con-
structed as a draw bridge, the same shall
be constructed as a pivot draw bridge,
with draw over the main channel of the
Fver at an accessible aud navigable point,
and with spans not less tnan ten feet above
extreme high water mark at the point OF
location, and of not less than 100 feet on
each side of the central or pivot pier of the
draw; and the next adjoining spans shall
not be less than one hundred and twenty
five feet in length, unless otherwise ex-
pressly directed by the secretary OF war,
and if so directed shall be according to
such direction; Provided also, That said
draw shall be opened promptly upon rea-
sonable signal for the passing OF boats;
and said company or corporation snail
maintain, at It's own expense, from sunset
gill sunrise, such lights or other signals on
said bridge as the light house board may
prescribe: Provided also, That all railway
companies desiring to use said bridge shall
have and be entitled 20 equal rights and
privileges in the passage of the same, and
in the use of the machinery and fixtures
thereof, and all of the approaches thereto,
under and upon such terms and condi-
tons as shall be prescribed by the secretary
OF war, upon hearing the allegations and
proofs CT the parties, in case they shall
not agree.
Sec. 3. That the secretaty Of war is
hereby authorized and directed, upon re-
ceiying any such plans and map and other
Information, and upon being satisfied that
bridge built on such plan and with such
accessory works and ut such locality will