The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1894-01-20
The Great Bridge Bill.

If it is true that President Cleveland
has made up his mind to veto h
North River Bridge Bill. it certainly
world be a great disappointment to
those who are interested in the de-
yeIopment of the IN of New
York. No man enjoying a plain in
sight into the future can fail to realize
that this bridge is bound to come.
The idea is a colossal one. The mag
nitude of the work would doubtless be
appalling to a less energetic age than
the present, but the engineers of to-
day regard nothing as impossible, and
the demands of a public, which has
been pampered with marvels, push
the limit of possibility further and
further, day by day, out into the re-
gfons of wonderland. The President,
we are informed by Washington press
dispatches, finds a number of minor
faults in the bill.
For instance, the absence of an in
demnity provision in case unfinished
piers were left as an obstruction to
navigation. The probability of this
is remote, but still we have no doubt
that the company would be glad to
incorporate such a provision in the
bill if an opportunity were afforded it.
But the major objection proposed by
the President. namely, that interior
ence of the piers with the navigation
Of the river would be a greater detri-
ment than the existence of the bridge
itself would be a benefit, certainly
amazes us in a statesman so broad and
progressive as President Cleveland
generally appears to be. The whole
project has been studied by expert
members of the Army Engineer Corps.
1t has been considered by naval ex-
perts. The particular point raised by
the President has been fully discussed,
and all disinterested judges have ar
rived at the conclusion that the pro-
posed pier, which, it must be remem-
bered, may not prove to be necessary
at all, would present practically no
obstruction whatever to the naviga-
ton of the stream.
The advantages to be gained from
the construction of the bridge are
necessarily great to New York. A
material reduction in the time of
travel from the heart of the metropo-
lis to points beyond its limits will
necessarily result. The great SON.
venience TO travellers from the abol-
ishing of the ferry transfer system is
even a more notable gain-greater
speed, convenience and safety are Sc
cured in the transmission of mails
and express matter. In a word, New
York is brought into closer and easier
relations, than would be possible in
any other manner, with the rest of
the country. On the other hand,
Jersey City and Hoboken stand in the
sure way Of being benefited by
this great work, as well. The
tide of railway travel which Gibbs
and flows through our gates
and over our ferries is of no
possible advantage to us. 1t brings
us neither business nor revenue OF
any description. A large part
of cur invaluable water front
is practically abandoned for the
convenience of the people of
another State. If this tide of pas
senger travel were swept over the
bridge direct to New York, a consider
able portion of the terminal property,
now given up to its accommodation,
could be used for the handling of
freight and for the trans-shipment of
freight. and the commerce OF Jersey
City would receive a considerable
impetus.
II the understanding proves to be
correct that President Cleveland will
return the bill with objections to
Congress, we hope that no time will
be lost in amending it to conform, so
far as may be right. with his ideas
aud then it will be once passed,
and, if necessary, passed despite OBJ
jections which seem to be a product
of too much conversation.
Much surprise was caused in this
city yesterday by the rumor that Gov
aruar Worfa vas eouviue by the