The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1890-02-26
AN IMPORTANT COUNCIL MEETING
Last Sight-Tho Main Street Bridge Matter.
Tho Double Track Measure:

Tho Double Track Measure,
The matter Of building u bridge over
creek Mt Main street, and
,hether tho people shall have m oppor.
unity to say Of what material it shall be
,uilt, now lies in the hands OF n joint
Conference committee from tho First
md Second Branches OF Council. The
,ridgc loan ordinance, which was
read the first time ut the last regular
meeting OF Council, was read Mt last
nights meeting by sections for amend.
nent and debate. After the reading Of
Tho first section, Mr.. Ellingham moved
10 strike out 4 per cent and inaert4 per
cent az the character OF the bonds. Nr.
Grusc took the floor In opposition 10 the
amendment and explained that the coun.
Nv had had much trouble In floating four
per cent bonds, and predicted that II the
civ attempted to sell four per cents 1t
weuld have trouble III disposing Of them.
Mr.. dillingham; talked Of the economy OF
iho measure, and Mr.. Brandfass thought
that the amount the city would probably
get in tho shape OF premiums on four
and one.hali per cent bond would make
IN tho difference in interest. The
amendment was lost.
Mr., Seeley offered IN amendment
changing tho full possible amount OF the
loan from $4,000 to Slli,500. Mr..
Seeley stated in explanation Of his
amendment, that he chad gotten nm
estimate from Messrs. Ferris & kaui.
mann, OF Pittsburgh, who arc engaged
exclusively in furnishing plans for
bridges aud experimenting their con.
These gentlemen presented
plans for both stone aud steel bridges,
aud gave detailed estimates OF the cost
OF each.-Their estimate on first class
stone bridge such as the city should
build, il It built OF stone, is Slil, 500, and
for iirst class steel bridge So. 1000. The
s.oue bridge proper would cost Sl37, GIG,
and the 5 per cent charged for plans,
details and superintendence would
make IN the additional $G,S54.
Mr.. Seeley further explained that
the steel bridge contemplated by
Messrs. Ferris & kaufman is a ilrst.class
structure, with a steel floor upon which
fho etrcet foundation and pavement Is to
be laid, and through which tho water
and gas mains will pass. The bridge
will have no bolts or screw nuts in ito
entire make up, everything being
riyeted SO that there is no piece to come
loose. Mr.. Seeley naid further that Felt
Iis & Kaufman ngree that there shall
be not the least vibration in their steel
bridge, and propose n very exacslng test
before it is accepted, as follows: An
for indicating vibration
shall be placed upon the bridge and the
entire city fire department driven over
the bridge at once, at a gallop,
and il the instrument shows more
vibration than 1t does under the game
two squares away on the
paved street, then the bridge shall not
DO accepted. Mr.. Seeley also said that
such q bridge could DO kept in repair at
an annual expense OF $50. the only at.
tentiou needed being an occasional coat
OF paint TO hinder atmospheric decay.
Mr.. Seelcy said in conclusion, that no
matter whether the people decided 10
build q stone bridge or an iron bridge,
they should. by the ordinance, be pro-
vided with the money necessary TO erect
n first class structure, and since good
stone bridge will cost slii,000, he
thought that amount should be pro-
vided. Mr.. Seeley's amencm snt was
then amended so rs to read
$4,000, it being feared by tho mover
that the above estimate OF Messrs. Fer
ris & kaufman might fall short. Mr..
Braniass would not agree with Mr.. See
ley's figures, and thought stone bridge
could be built for less money.
Mr.. Emmerth said be had looked the
matter over carefully and had an esti-
innate from q gentleman who does
million dollars worth Of such work n
year, and that his estimate was more
than that OF Ferris 4 Kaufman.
The amendment was put 10 q vote and
carried ~thosc voting aye heing Messrs.
Baily. Craig, Emmcrth. uarrell, kin
ney, KurIer, Marsh. Maxwell. Miller,
SeeIey, Warncke and Youns--l3. Nays:
Messrs. Ankle, Beniz, Brandiass, Capps,
Clykcr, Ellinsham, kraiter, o Kane, Ro-
brccht, Yahn und Mr.. Presidential.
In section Is, Mr.. Maxwell proposed
10 amend the compensation allowed the
OF the loan, so as to pay
them moro money. The amendment
was lost.
In section II, where the voter is asked
to express his choice between steel,
stone and iron, the word iron was
out, on motion OF Mr.. Filing
ham. The ordinance was then read by
it's title and passed.
In the First Branch. when the ordi.
nance was presented, Mr.. Wilson offered
the following:
WHEREAS, The system OF making
loans for city improvements is detri-
mcnt to the permanent prosperity Of the
city and constant drain upon the treas
lry for paying interest, and
WHEREAS, 1t is not good business
policy to borrow money unless absolute.
" necessary; therefore
"Resolrcd, That the Bridge Ordinance
be laid upon the table, and that in lieu
of its passage the Finance Committee be |
nstrucleu u appropriate SJ0, UUU out OF
he revenues OF the city for the year
1890 for the purpose OF building q steel |
bridge over Wheeling creek on Main
street."
Mr.. Wilson delivered quite a strong
address in supporto Of his resolution, and |
vas followed by Mayor Seabright, who
opposed tho measure. Mr.. Emsheimer
alkea twenty minutes against it, and |
vas followed by Mr.. Robinson, who ia.
'ored it. An aye and no vote adopted
he resolution, and it was ut once sent
pack to the Second Branch for concur
ence.
The Second Branch refused to concur,
md President Gruse appointed N1essrs.
'eeley, Brandfass and Harrell commit
co to confer with like committee from
he First Branch. The conference COM
nittee will not be ready to report till
lext meeting.
No Double Truck on Main Street.
Under the head OF unfinished bust
less, the ordinance granting the Wheel
ne Railway Company the privilege of