The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1889-05-31
rue BRIDGE ORDINANCE,
A Correspondents Views ON the Respective
Merits OF stone and Iron,

A CoFFeSp0ndsut's Views ON the Respective
Merits OF stone and Iron,
10 he Editor Ofte Inleligsneer,
SIR; We had supposed that the adj
vocates Of stone for the proposed bridge
over the creek at Main street had pre-
septed such an array Of advantages as
would have served not only to convert
its most uncompromisiAg foes into its
most ardent supporters, but to have won
over the very spirit Of opposition itself,
But so blind Is humanity and so per-
sistent those iaYoring iron that there is
still an cutlery, and this we feel 1t our
duty as q citizen to do our part TO
quiet,
We would, therefore, first urge the
greater durability Of a stone bridge, II
II be answered that the continent is
fairly SPAWNED with iron bridges built
by railways, and municipal and other
corporations under the direction OF ex-
perts, and that the Market street bridge,
for example, though standing for twenty
years, shows no signs OF decay; and II It
be further argued that the ireshet OF last
July destroyed only the stone bridge
and left the Understandings wereply, and
defy disprooi, that We have the decision
Of an assembly otmen whose experience
In other vacations should qualify them
to Judge, and whose word should stand
like Caesar's) against the world" In
Guiding all wire ,bridge experts, cngi-
neers, and specialists womsoeYer,
We would name as q second advantage
that q stone bridge needs neither paint
ing nor repairs, save, perhaps, rejointing
and replacement OF an occasional stone,
and weasseverate that II the stone bridge
was washed away, 1t should have been
stayed--as frequently suggested by the
press-by bands OF iron, which, however
useful as bands, are, as every one knows,
utterly useless as a bridge, So, Il the
bridge was In fact washed away, (Which,
as We did not see It, we doubD II only
shows that It should not and would not
have been had there only been enough
iron attached,
Again, II objection be raised to the
long and shallow arch because OF the in
calCulable lateral thrust and the danger
OF crushing or spreading, We insist that
II is impossible. Only make the en-
bankments solid enough and 1t will be
eternally safe, unless, indeed, the earth
does become Sater.soaked or compress
ed and does, in fact, yield. AS, however,
we do not know that this will be the
CasG-we can afford to risk 1t.
Then think OF the beauty OF q stone
bridge and It's harmony with the plctur'
esque meanderlngs Of the gently daily
ing streamlet No doubt some indi'
Vidualp, Utterly DEVOID OF taste, will adj
duCe the elegance OF iron bridges in
many cities which travellers by common
consent Concede to be highly graceful
and ornate. But what OF that? We
will agree 10 produce at least fifty stone
pasons, every one OF whom will attest
the superior beauty OF stone.
When we come 10 DISCUSS the greater
cost OF stone, which Is alleged as IN OBJ
lection, q more difficult task Is met and
the arguments in rebuttal, though APP
parently somewhat ha2y, will clear in
the strong sunlight Of thought.
Our reply then, Is, that il i DO q ylr-
tue-which ofcourse none will dispute
TO take from the whole city and from all
OF home labor to give to tho special few,
it Is surely q greater merit to make
the cost us great rs possible. The
larger expense Of stone Is therefore
great advantage, and It lean advantage
also, on tho ground OF financial policy,
for, while 1t may DO asserted that the
difference In cost In favor Of iron would
produce Sl,S00 annually, (Which would
do nothing toward repairing an Iron
bridee) we reply again that 1t would be
prudent enough to save II we had such
| d sum In hand 10 draw the interest; but
that in point Of fact, as We have not
surplus but u debt, this should induce
the opposite course. II, having a sur.
plus 1t DO wise to save, having debt 1t
Is prudent to expend.
we hope that the opponents oil stone
are by thfs time simply overwhelmed
II every dollar that thg'city could posi-
bly, raise were needed for essential i'm
provements; ifher brick payements ever
needed repair; if:the crelnatory needed
oyerhauling, or an additional one should
BIO built; II the walks were not all paved
and tho water and light supply moi
ample; II our garbage and ofal were
not attanded to and our polipe not nu
merous enough; We would In spite o.
all tolerate q Icas expenditure and suffer
our eyes TO rest upon an iron span. But
| viewing with pride the faultless con,
dition OF tho town which can afford
twenty or thirty thousand dollars extra
we exclaim with contractors and al
other true lovers Of the aesthetic, will
whom expenpe is never regarded, let II
be Of stone. :, IlSooo'