Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1890-02-27
ruE srEEL-BRIDeE TRICK,

That astonishing document, the bridge
resolution introduced By Mr.. WILSON in
the Fiist Branch Of Council, Tuesday,
Is the fruit Of a palpable Trick Of the
steel bridge people, by which Mr..
WILSON and the First Branch, strange as
it may seem, we're completely taken in.
Il was as though the members Of the First
Branch we're To- Of chilcr,n and Mr..
SEELEY, of TIE SECOND Branch, who is
placed 10 the position, though innocently,
We bs'i.vs, Of looking alter the interests Of
The firm vlich wants the Job OF buildiDg
the steel bridge, bu1gling prestidigitAteur
iust slick enough to close their innocent
eyes.
IL is rather humiliatiog to read the pro
ceedirgs leading up to the adoption OF
that resolution. Mr. SEELEY, loaded with
che Information furnished by The steel
bridge agents, worked the thing up in the
Second Branch and Mr. WILSON, through
q proper DEERE 10 be economical, in
nooently fioished it 10 the First.
Mr. SEELEY presented figures" put
ting the cost OF a stone bridge at sl44, 600
aud Of the steel bridge at $55. 900,
structure, he said, which would last $50
years, be as solid as the street, and rsquire
10 more than $50 a year for repAirs- We
have not seen the plans and specifications
Of this wonderful and novel structure,
which must be totally different from any
metal bridge now in existence, but we
must record our emphatic doubts, IN the
light Of the cOuntry's experience Of steel
bridges. that such o structure could exist
OF Of paper. We have yet TO hear Of the
metal bridge that has endured for one
th1d OF $50 years or one that has not cost
many times $50 year for repairs.
Vow, let us examine The stone bridge
Figures" Nc. SEELEY's intOrmaais told
him that a stone bridge would cost Sl44,
600 Nov, We know that durable stone
bridge which would last a century and
with no repairs could be built for So. 600
aud mos; elaborate structure for 500, 600
st most
Bat Mr. sEELEY moved to strike ont OF
the ordinance $50 600 AID insert SAL, 600,
which was rsisei TO $4,000, which
amendment was. Of coarse, gracefully ae-
csptsd
Nov, mark the trek. The ordinance
representing the cost Of a stone bridge at
$3.50 900. twice a. much as it would cost,
ID. passed and seat TO the First Branch.
Tosre Bic. WILSON. in 3 1T OF supposed
economy. falls into the trap aud springs a
resolutioa 90 appropriate SIS 600 for
the steel bridge. Sss?-tl5O,tOO to
Sos. 900, the innoceuts OF the First Branch
were taken ia By this elumsiest Of tricks,
the loan ordinance wa7 tabled and the
stccl BRUCE resolution passed. The trick
was so far successful
A.ide from ,he fact that the city could not
soareS 81, 900 from the year 'sreyenues with
au. a complete oppAge Of all other need
ed improvements. the people Of this city
have rights which the First Branch of
Counca il bound 10 respect Toe mem
hers are supposed TO be the servants Of the
people, not the tools OF bridge bailding
company seeking fat job.
Let the people decide. gentlemen, what
kind Of a bridge they want-.hey will use
it and they will pay TO, it-aud above all,
don't bs fooled by mere juggling Of fig
ures aud estimates.
A stone bridge eau be built for $4,000
which will be S5OOOO worth better and
cheaper in the lOpg ruu than an iroa CT
steel bridge at S55,O
Let the people decide.