The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1897-02-03

ing, on the petition OF George II. Almon for
franchise to operate telephone lines within
the city limits. Adjourned.
The span OF the old bridge across the
Winooski, at the foot Of South Main street.
Is said to be 1877 feet that OF the proposed
new bridge is 100 feet, 10 feet longer. II
this part Of the plan for the proposed bridge
ton be made2 1t can hardly be made, in
part or entirely, on the Montpelier side; IL
would very likely be made on the Berlin
side. The abutments of the old bridge
could not be removed, on either side. by
reason of their relation to the closely-con-
Meeting properties, and they form a part OF
the necessary river wall The removal Of
the abutment on the Berlin side would be
disastrous to the large property of the Col
ton Manufacturing Company. The abut-
ment of the new bridge on that side of the
river would be Just above the old abut-
ment. II the new abutment were set thir-
teen feet further back than the old a sharp
jog or shoulder would thus be left that
would hold back the ice in winter or spring
and create ice jams, with the consequent
flooding Of the street above and the damage
to property and the high way. This is q Sc
rious objection to changing the span The
need OF the change, entailing additional
cost in construction and mourning danger
from ice jams is not apparent. The waters
OF Winooski river are not likely to increase
III Juo uo4J uu0uT6u years. I0oy Will
rather diminish. Greater flow of water, or
larger floods than have been, are not likely
to be. II the river below the proposed
bridge could be widened thirteen feet, there
would be less objection to lengthening the
span as proposed, but the widening cannot
be- made, and under the circumstances there
seem to be insuperable objections to the
proposed lengthening Of the span OF the
bridge. 1t ought not to be done. Apropos
OF the proposals for building the abutments
OF the new bridge, published last week, the
pertinent suggestion was made by reader
that probably the bidders propose to
throw In the bridge" We are told that
the abutments of the Wells River railroad
bridge, over the Worcester branch, cost
less than $1,000. They are built of rough
stone, without mortar. The city has had
| some experience with amateurs in engineer
| ing and architecture. 1t would be interest
ing, and 1t might be profitable, to know
what such an engineer as the Montpelier
and Wells River or Central Vermont rail
with the necessity for building an iror
bridge, at the place in question would or
| der in the way of masonry. Would he or
der cut stone, or would he regard granite
blocks with reasonably regular cleavage
laid in cement, as meeting every demand
| for the permanent and secure support o.
the bridge? 1t seems to be the Judgment o.
practical men, having experience in suct
matters, that this sort Of masonry would bt
ample for every requirement of enduring
service or appearance, and that it ought t
be satisfactory to the "plain people" OF
either side of the river. A dandy bridge
in sub or superstructure is not demanded
| by any requirement of use or situation. A
plain, substantial, enduring structure, will
no unnecessary outlay for show or bun
combe, is what the men of Berlin and Mont
pelier who will have to foot the bills desire