Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1894-03-29

PRICE 81 PER YEAR IN ADVANCE |
WILMINGTON, 7HURsDA1-, MAR. 20.
The old railroad bridge over the
schuylkill at Gray's Ferry has lapsed !
into quite back number in the memory
of Wilmingtonians since its abandon
ment by the Philadelphia, Wilmington
g. Baltimore Railroad Company, about
twenty years ago, when the new road
b. way of Darby and West Philadel-
phia was opened to travel, But the old
bridge has come up as q matter of press
ing interest before the Philadelphia city
councils, in the shape of an obstruction
to the city's growth in that direction,
and plans for new bridge more in
keeping with the demands of the time
are being mooted. The proposed inn
proyement would tend to make Gray's
Ferry road-a favorite rural driveway
within the memory of many persons
still living-a business thoroughfare,
and to develop generally the section
through which it passes Six months
ago an ordinance was referred to the
survey committee, which was intended
to clear the way for this contemplated
improvement. Much preliminary work
still remains 10 be done, for, after com
! plete plans have been prepared, they
will have to be submitted to the United
States government for approval,
and consultations will be required
between the representatives of the
city and the officers of the Penn
sylvania Railroad Company and the
Philadelphia Traction Company, which
latter desires to extend its lines over the
bridge. Each will be expected to bear
its share OF the cost of the proposed
new structure. The Traction Company
paid 100000 for the privilege of cross
ing Chestnut Street bridge-here is a
hint for local application in relation to
the use of Wilmington's new Washing
ton bridge--and this will furnish some
guide to the value of the franchise
asked for in relation to the new Gray's
Ferry bridge. The history Of the bridge
says the Philadelphia Ledger, discloses
an anomaly in municipal legislation
Thirty years ago the city paid $50, 900 tC
the p, w. & B. r. r. Co., on condition
that this corporation should always
maintain public bridge at that point
1t passed into the possession of thu
Pennsylvania Railroad Company, alonl
with the other possessions of the p, w
& b. r. r, If the bridge needs repair
ing the railroad company can, if the cit.
determines that it is necessary, close tn
bridge to public travel. This it wa
found requisite to do only o fortnigh
ago.
The bridge having been constructs
many years ago is faulty in many ways
1t has an Anticipated draw. which can
not be operated quickly; it carries onl,
one railroad track, thus greatly limitin
the value to the railroad company, an
the draw opening is not wide enough t
permit the passage of the city ice boat
or of other large craft. The const
the bridge is limited, and in very har
winters it may be closed altogether fC
weeks or months because the ice boa
cannot be used to break up the ic
Nearly 70 per cent of the exports I
Philadelphia go out of the Schuylki
river, and though the greater part
these shipments is made from below ii
bridge, the shipments from above Il
bridge are considerable, and would
largely increased if a new bridge shou
be constructed with draw sufficient
wide to accommodate, not only the ci
ice boats, but ships of large size.
----zn------
Census Bulletin No. $40, gives h
total valuation of the real and person
property in the country at the close
thecensus period ,1S90,at $65,037, 091 Is
showing an average of about 81 900 +
capita or between $4,000 and $4,000 r
family. The leading item in this exhi
of national wealth was real esta
valued at $50 ,544, 544 ,59S. Next in ms
nitude come railroads and equipmen
including $3.50, S0S $40 in street railwa
totaling $685. ,407,323. Machinery
mills and product on hand, raw a
manufactured, amounted to $3,05S,59
AL; live stock on farms and rang
farm implements and machinery
$2,703,015,040; mines and quarries,
GLIDING product on hand, to 81 ,291 ,2E
~ $40; gold and silver coin and bullion
$1,15S,774,94s, and telegraphs, tt
phones, shipping and canals, to $7l
755,712. The remainder, aggregat
nearly eight billions of dollars, is
down under the head Of miscellane
items The valuation of real es
given in this summary includes
improvements thereon, and is ba
on reports of local officers or Of PRIV
individuals believed to be familiar v
real estate values in their respec
localities, but does not include the v;
of railroad or mines or qGarries.
every case u statement showing S
valuation of the State by counties
been submitted to the governor of
State for his approval or correction,
all changes suggested by him have
made. The value Of personal prop
In most cases, is that placed upon
its owners and given to the enumerS
and other census officials, as rep
by law. Compared with previous
suses, steady growth in wealt
shown. In round numbers the I
for the past five decades were In
,oon 1.Ht