Evening journal., 1898-10-12
WEDNESDAY. OCT. I2, 1888
IF NECEssARY. rEsr Ir-

artificial highway for vehicles ana pe-
dostrians passing to and from South
Wilmington. 1t is nothing more or less
than a substitute for public ferry, and
is there on sufferance and under GER
tain prescribed conditions. The width
Of the draw, the nature OF the lights
and the character of the service are all
regulated by Federal statutes and by
interpretations of those statutes made
by the attorney-gene OF the United
States; by him transmitted to the sec
retary of war, and by the secretary Of
ers in digested and comprehensive
form.
The Christiana river being the re-
cipient of Federal bounty for its i'm
provement, is government stream,
subject to the laws of navigation enact
ed by Congress, and the rules in keep
ing Herewith emanating from that de-
partment which has charge of the navi-
cation and Improvement of the stream
In all of these statutes and rules the
priority of craft, using a natural high
way, over vehicles and persons, using
an artificial highway, is clearly recog-
nized. Severe penalties are imposed
upon bridge-tenders, not for keeping
the draws openand bloclzingla land travel,
but for keeping them closed and OBJ
structing the movements Of any craft
which cannot pass beneath the draw
at the state OF tide which exists at the
time of approach. Federal rules pre-
scribe that steam craft shall blow
"a three blasts Of the whistle and sail
craft three blasts of a horn when ap-
preaching a drawbridge, and that it
shall be opened without unnecessary
delay, regardless of the vehicles and
pedestrians who wish to pass over the
bridge. A bridge-tender who disre-
CARDS the demands of craft to pass
through the draw renders himself liable
to prosecution in the United States
Court and subject TO a heavy fine and
long term Of Imprisonment.
Most bridge-tenders get into trouble
~ 4 by. 4, A,misconception of the priority OF
Ut II
and the parties using the bridge. But
at Third street bridge this has been
supplemented by gross neglect, incom-
potency and an arrogance most exas-
perating to those persons who know
that they have right to pass up and
down the stream without let or him
drance Complaint after complaint has
been made to the Levy Court within
the past few years. That body has
made some pretense Of investigating
the charges, but the whole aim has ap'
parently been to shield the bridge-tend-
ers rather than bring them to book
The last complaint came from Genera
w. f. Smith, the United States engi
neer in charge Of Wilmington harbor
whose launch was held up for nearl!
a quarter Of an hour. It could not b.
ignored by the Levy Court. The Bridg
Committee went out to the bridge, IN
terrogated the tenders and were in
formed that the delay was occasione
by the breaking of wires. There ma,
have been an exhibit of the broker
rendered report practically white
washing the bridge-tenders and author
izing the courts attorney to come
with Senator GSenney and Congress
man Handy and urge them to go an
see the secretary Of war and obtai
from him notifications of the rule
governing the operations OF tn
drawbridges on the Christ
ana. so as to authorize th
bridge-tenders to hold up craft for th
convenience of vehicles and pedei
trians. He may induce them to do
but we are confident that the secretaI
of war will never vest discretionai
power in the hands Of men whose woI
is turning the draw, and whose pa
is not turning il. The shil
ping men OF the city, headed by Gei
eral Smith, should resent any such a
ton and make their resentment felt
the War Department.
There are some persons in clo'
touch with the Levy Court who que
ton the right OF the Federal COVER
meul 10 cOulioA Aue NpcAa1olo Va -
draw. If that feeling is. what inspir
the Levy Court to continue to put
with the conduct which has charact6
lied the tenders for several years, I
sooner that General Smith swears o
warrants. has the men arrested, tri
and convicted and the authority OF
Federal government clearly establis
ed by test case, the better it viii
fer the shipping interests Of our city.
When the Knights Templar OF b
ton are here on Saturday. the citize
OF the city should spare no effort
assist the local commandery in MAXI