Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-12-20
MEMORIAL BRIDGE.
The Washington Virginia Project and
Its Prospects.
AppoHATTox NATIONAL PARK.
General wheeler, Chairman Of tho House
Military Committee, for It-Opposi'
ton to Carlisle Bill.

terstate and Foreign Commerce, OF whicf
Representative Wise Is chairman. had
meeting this morving to further consider
the bill providing for a memorial bridge
across the Potomac. so that people car
get to Arlington and other points In tha'
part Of Virginia. The subcommittee, "a
whom were referred the bill for action
reported through Mr. Durborow, Of Chi
cago. that the limit Of cost should be
100000, and they think that clauses ought
to be included In the measure which
would prevent steam. electric. and cable
railways from using the bridge. IL this
is carried out 1t will play havoc with the
ultimate hopes Of the Washington, Alex
andria, and Mt Vernon electric line,
and there Is an editorial squeal from the
Post to-day. That paper thinks In the
first place that the proposed cost is toe
low, and argues that $4,000 will not
build a creditable memorial bridge. The
paper also insists that some electric OF
similar line should have a right to use
the bridge. otherwise people cannot &c
to Arlington unless they walk. own a
carriage. or hire one from livery stable
Congressman Durborow. in speaking OF
the matter to-day, said he was assured
by War Department officials that $780, 900
would be sufficient to construct a suitable
bridge. He remarked also that 1t was
pretty well understood that the Mt. Yer
non electric railway people expected to
get In and use the bridge. but he said
he was opposed TO having tie govern
ment build this thing for a company,
unless the company was willing to put
up its full share Of the funds. IL there
was to be a partnership business, he
added. II might be well TO assess the
property-owners on the Virginia side for
third of the cost. as II was admitted
the bridge would tend TO largely in
crease values in Alexandria and Fairfax
counties.
Unless there Is a change In the feel
fngs OF the congressman who have this
matter in charge. the Mount Vernon
electric-line people will miss their calcu.
lations, and some of their friends think
that II they rely on being given the pri.
vilege Of using the Memorial bridge fol
getting into Washington they will be apt
to miss fire. Now the question is that
perhaps II would be better for the com.
pany TO go In on its own hook, and try
to enter Washington over an electric ferry
or bridge of its own. as was originally
contemplated. Many Westinghouse and
the rank and file Of citizens in Alexan.
dria, Fairfax. and Loudoun counties take
pride in the Mt. Vernon electric line,
and they not only wish 1t success, but its
right of way into Washington means
prosperity for the Virginia side OF tfle
river. and a steady advance in the value
Of real estate. The cat is out of the bag,
however, and as Mr.. Durborow says, II
is well understood at the Capitol that
the aim of the company is to ultimately
Memorial bridge.
The street railroad companies Of thi:
city are naturally taking a hand, and SC
are other interests Jealous Of the Virginia
line.
FOR WALTER HENRY.
A number Of well-known North Caro-.
iinians called on the Secretary OF State
this morning IN the interest OF Mr.. Walter
r. Henry, Of Henderson. and urged the
appointment OF that gentleman to some
good position in the consular or diplomatic
service. Among those who called to pre-
sent Mr.. Henry TO the Secretary were
Senator Ransom, Representatives Hen
derson. Alexander. Branch. and Woodland
Mr. Aycock, United States Attorney FOL
the Eastern District OF the State: Mr.
r. b. Glenn. United States Attorney for
the Western District; MIR. W. w. Fuller
and Captain Peay, Of Durham.
Congressman Bum was very anxious 10
be with the delegation, but as his COM
mittee had an important meeting this
morning that had been arranged for a
week ago. 1t was impossible. However,
he had several OF the gentlemen state for
him that he heartily endorsed Mr.. Henry.
and hoped his services TO the party and
State would be flttlngly recognized by
the administration.
The Secretary received his visitors cor,
daily. and appeared TO be impressed with
the, high recommendations given Mr.
Henry. OF course. he could not say off,
hand he would give him an appointment
but he promised 10 give the matter care
full and earnest consideration.
Ex-Congressman Jacob Yost, OF Vir-
ginia. was a visitor on the floor of the
House this morning He said he came
here on private business. and was on his
way North, but he talked some OF his con-
test against Congressman Tucker, and
said he would serve the requisite notice
on that gentleman within few days. The
attorneys for Mr.. Yost are Mr.. William
e. Craig. of Staunton, and ex-Congress-
man Brady. of Petersburg.
General Wheeler. of Alabama, said to-
day If the people of the vicinity favored
the purchase of the spot on which Gene
raj Lee surrendered his army, he was
heartily in favor of the government ac-
qulring the property.
Governor Carr and Mrs. Carr, of North
Carolina, are In the city, and will remain
several days. They are visiting their son.
who resides here.
THE CURRENCY BILL.
1t Is still difficult to obtain outspoken
opinions from Virginians and North Caro-
linans on the pending financial bill, ex-
cept here and there. Mr.. Jones. OF Vir-
einia, has no hesitancy, however. in
saying that he Is opposed to the measure.
A Virginian said to-day he was GER
tain the bill would be beaten In the
House. "The Republicans are solidly
against II. Mr.. Bland and his silver fol-
lowers want to kill it, the Populists are
ready TO stop 1t, the New York bankers
are against IL, the President has gone
hunting. showing he is not interested. and
three of the Kentucky delegation an
nounced to-day that they would vote
against the bill, regardless OF the fact
that 1t Is known as the Carlisle plan.
Things look squally. Even the Mary
landers are carrying knives for the mea-
sure: and do not see how IT is possible
to press the measure to successful
stage"
The Virginia and North Carolina mem
bers all agree that legislation of some
kind Is absolutely necessary, but some
OF them admit that things look squally
at present. Representative Henderson said
to-day he thought joint caucus OF all
the Democratic Senators and Representa-
tives ought TO have been held. and bill
framed, and then there would have been
a better chance OF passing a bill.
One thing which seems to create big
opposition to the pending measure is the
State-bank currency feature. Many peo-
pie clamor for this plan in Virginia and
North Carolina. but they would not be
pleased could they hear the comments
here. Following are samples:
Mr.. Rayner. OF Baltimore: have always
opposed State-bank circulation. This bill
Is a makeshift. II means nothing.
Mr.. Hendrix. OF Brooklyn: / am un-
alterably opposed to any bill which leads
to wildcat currency. 1 hope and believe
II will be beaten.