Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1890-03-25
Bridging the Potomac

Bridging the Potomac
Il letter from Ws5biog:an 10 he Md Con-
tinent IF g.. L.us. Gays: "Nuch iutesess is
heipg thomn in The resolution Of Senator
Butter adopted by tue Senate, rsviving the
project Of n grand bridge across tho Poto-
mac nearly opposite the White House. This
vas known as The Grant Memorial Bridge,
ana the bill ia ils favor passed the Senate
t.eo yenrs ago ont was crowded cut il tho
last hoa!s of the House. Senator Buffers
resolution directs the Secretary of the Trea
eury to report 10 Congress upon the most
suitable bridge aud approaches to cross the
Potomac at point west OF the State De-
par,ment, to the national cemetery in Ar
iinptop. Virginia. There is broad eWeep
Of virtual park from the Capitol full mile
TO the White House, and thence TO The 70.
;omac river opposite 10 where Arlington
Cemetery stands. This park includes the
horticultural Gardens, the Smithsonian
Inssituliop With its splendid grounds, the
Agricultural Department also handsomely
aid of ana Eept with tho park surroundiDS
the Presidential mansion Itself Che exten-
ion of this vide strip SO that the rides
mi.h pass over the beautiful river and up
he heuks on the opposite side, with the
aDlerdid veya 0i tne city behind, the
river teiow, aad the Arlington Heights
aud tho wonderful Virginia hills be-
fore. would perfect tbs park and
make it superior to anything OF the kind in
The laod There are only two bridges in
fact, leading to Virginia from the city; the
Lone Bridge which s fas down at the lower
end of the city and along which the rail
road runs 80 clcseiy ss tc destroy ali pleas
ure. npt to mention safety, in riding for re.
creation or health. Then the CID AqueGuct
Bridge, ~ it 10 called is as far up as the
Long Bridge is down, at thu upper end of
Georeetown, and lately opened as free
briig. Several miles above is the Chain
B dge.
Access to Virginia HIS been strangely
enough neglected during all the years since
the war. In the District itself and in Mary
land adjoining, on the same side of the Po-
tomac land has risen vastly in price, and
The improvements that ought to be en-
couraged, surrounding the national Capitol
have rapidly progressed. But across. the
famous stream every hing has been sadl2
neglected. The country and the resouroes
Of !s owners were literally exhausted IN tne
terrible atrlia and the still more terrible
A person looking ont, as SO many OF our
tourists do daily, across the Potomac from
the dome of the Capitol, sees two ranges of
hills. known es Arlington Heights, rising
End rolling back from the river in scenery
as attractive ss The famous Arcadia. Lovely
yiews across the river from many points in
lne city, and lovely views OF the city and OF
the surroundings from points opposite are
ywhere to be seen. We walked, some
time since, With friend along the second
range. rising back of the Arlington Cemetery
Itself. about mile. From any point on that
level plateau Washington city in great part
was Visible. The Capitol building, the
Washington monument, public buildings Of
merbls nnd grauita shone white in the sun,
while hundreds of spires and towers rose
into the sky. Will it be be believed that oil
this charming country i5 almost Guinhaoit'
ed? Not for health reasons, FOR these
bei.hts are remarb ably besltby, with their
nnfe cir. But simply and solely because
they have been kept inaccessible by national
refusal to relieve The poverty OF the Virginia
exhaustion. Many negroes have come over
here and csmped out, cutting the young trees
dcgnend eating them ofto sell, laying bands
op what they could find TO eat, and suffer
ipg many of tbs evils of poverty incident on
unwillingless to work or the inability to ind
labor. Such condition is shame to the
preat Capital of the United States and
Should not be allowed to remain day long
er. Arlington Cemetery itself, where sleep
Is 900 Union aodiers, many ofttem officers,
in graves visited by teDder remembrance
ana which is to become nations burial
mace still! for many of her noble scns-thls
cemetery itself should be mado accessible
to the thousands who wish to visit it with
respect. Were it SO, hosta OF visitors to the
capital would eagerly croes to stand beside
its buried heroes. 1t is only just to Virginia
also, turdened heavily with debt, that IT. the 1e
national sympathy should be extended 10
mar hv this access aad opening up of her
territory osr 1H adjacent to the capital that would
be effected by the building ofsthis bridge,
central to the city and to the country country tnst tina,
ouiet along the Potomac" The movement
Of Senator Butler should find expressions OF
approvaI from all paris of the land and from
III onr rit;zans BUCKEYE.