Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1889-05-21
THE MAIN STREET BRIDGE.
The Matters of Security and EoonOmy-Im-
pOrtant TO the Public.
saturday lntelngencerJ
the E,Yigor nj The TnfeUioencer.

Saturdays Intelhgencerl
To the Editor Of he IatsHi0encer:
SR:-The question of what kind of
bridge should be built to replace the one
lost in last summers great flood is attract
ing the attention of many citizens. Re-
grets are vain! and yet, disaster and LOGS
should carry Lessons of wisdom for the
future
The stone bridge on Main street was in
constant use for fifty-fOur years 1t cost
about twenty-tbree thousand dollars, and
if the Street Commissioner and Council had
taken ordinary precautions IN the repair
and pointing Of piers, clamping them with
lNeavy IRON bands, the bridge would have
a, Nne good service for ono, generation,
at A cost not exceeding $1,000.
Ii JIG now within reach of property hold
era a, vi voters to decide what is the wisest
plan to- adopt in the construction of a new
bridge, snd propose to place few reasons
before yo ur readers TO aid them in forming
a proper inclusion.
The aim OF all should b the good of
all
bearers, and wi UGH to adopt is the ques-
ton at issue
II can be said, without doubt, that the
world has had Ion ger experience and more
satisfaction in 60 ~ stone bridge than in
anv other. from the fact that it is not 80
liable to decay, that's il requires little or no
repair year after ye, ", that it affords safe
and natural means If securing water and
pas mines from the lctiOn of frost, that it
allows the adoption of the model brick
payement, keeping everything dry, that it
never needs q pound of paint, that it carries
with it the idea Of symmetry and sOlidity,
ard that when we'll built it will last for ten
generations. SOms who read this article
have trod in the footsteps of more than
twenty generations OF weary walkers in the
fatherlsnd.
While it ia granted that the first cost is
considerably more than sn iron bridge, let
Ms not forget that within 300 yards of
Main street there is an excellent blue and
gray sand stone, the strata, more, than
twenty feet in thickness, and now being
ouarried by the contractors for the. new
Union railroad bridge, " ich will soon
grow into a bond of strength and beauty,
binding our State to her sister across the
river.
Some of the best bridge architects are
now using for arching hard burned brick
laid in cement, and this is said to be the
most secure arch ever built.
The adoption Of stone structure would
insure the expenditure of almost the entire
appropriation IN our midst, amongst stone
cutters, mascns, lime burn srs, teamsters,
sand haulers and many day labOrers. This
advantage will be duly weighed by our
storekeepers and trades people.
If the classes 10 be benefited will exer-
else reasonable discretion II their demands
a full seasons work may be- done, result
ing in good 10 the entire city.
New York, the other day, borrowed
seven and half million dollars at two and
Il half pef cent. interest, and will raise one
and half millions more, making nine
millions, for new parks.
A twenty year loan should be placed by
our city at not over four per cent.
True wisdom in municipal affairs is to
look and plan for the future, not to ne de-
TERED from building something enduring
because the first cost exceeds the cheap ex-
pedient-always most costly in the end.
II is hoped that these views, oandidly
expressed, may call cut the opinion of
others. and that so members Of Council
may learn the wishes Of their constituents,
and act IN accordance.
Rock BOTTOM.
| WheclinO. MqU Il