Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1900-10-04
LEVY COURTS REPLY,
Does Not Want to be Compelled to Make
Change in the Width OF the Christian

Does Not Want to be Compelled to Make
Change in the Width OF the Christians
Channel ut Market street Bridge.
The Levy Court Thursday fled
with United States Engineer William
Il. Smith its reply to the communion
ton recently received from the War |
requiring the establish
nent OF a passageSay 100 feet wide for
vessels at Market street bridge. Noon |
Thursday was the time fixed for hearing |
the Levy CGurtmen might
have to say on the subject. The hear
ing took place at Gen. Smiths office
and was attended by Gen. Smith and
Col. Seiherg, representing ths United
States government; W. ID. w. Dim-
mock and w. II. Dewitt representing
the Harlan Il Hollingsworth Co. Levy
Courtmen White, Gallagher and Mealey,
aud their attorney, John ii. Rcdney..
Mr.. Rodney acted as spokesman for
the Levy Courtmen and Immediately
upon the opening OF the conference
handed the Levy Courts reply to Gen.
Smith, who announced that he did not
have discretionary power in the matter,
bat would refer all papers t. the War
Department, where the decision would
be made as to what IL the pleasure OF
REQ uest of Mr.. Dimmock, the Levy
Court will furnish the Harlan & IIol-
lingsworth Co. copy of lis reply.
The reply. after quoting the letters
from the Harlan & HolllngsN orth Co.
to the War Department and Gen.,
Smiths letter to the Levy Court, says
| tho latter communication was sur
Prise to the Levy Court, as no COM
plaint had been made about the bridge
before. Continuing, 1t says Market
street bridge is one of the best bridge q
c, connecting Wilmington with surround
| ing territory and gives less trouble than
the o. her luolic bridges. 1t also says !:
eve are nct familiar with the power
OF the general government over bridges
altogether within the limits OF the
State and which were built before any
national legislation on the subject, az
IS the case with the bridge in quee-
tion. We understand, however, that
such action as is proposed by the Sec.
Rotary of War is authorized by an act
of Congress in cases of unreasonable
obstruction, where there is difficulty
for RATS, steamboats, or other watei
craft to pass. We respectfully submit
that no such condition exists here.
The clear width of the oren draw OF
either side of the centre pier is "a feet
amply sufficient for the pas age OF an,
vessel OF reasonable beam or width, al
has been proven in the past. liz
1--WE would suggest that the com
plant of the Harlan & Hollingswortl
Co. is based upon prohlematical con
tIngency, and II any difficulty exists o
r should arise, it is caused not by tn
! structure but by the inconyenient looa
tion of the shipyard, works and grounds
} Ii the works were 30 situated as t
. allow direct approach, it Is impossible
Q but for the space on either side OF tn
centre pier to be sufficient. T.
1.-THE width proposed, 100 feet,
Q nearly If not The entire distance acros
Q the river and much in excess of th
Z necessary depth probably intended fo
n width) Of water. i.
g SHOULD the bridge be considere
y too narrow, the same objection apple
II to other bridges over the same stream
9 one OF which has recently obtained tn
9 approval OF the Secretary of War. F"
p After stating that the county 4
L heavily buIdened with claims fl
b public improvement and that next yei
there will be very large increase
r the burden, the opinion is expresst
n that the court would be powerless 4
,: make the improvem' Mt suggested ;
u this time without being authorized
1, the Legislature to borrow the none
81 and concludes as follows:
3: ITO summarize, we consider tn
II the act Of Congress applies to unneoe
sary Instructions and to certain ola
rs of vessels-neither of which conditio
IS is suggested in the communication
~ aud further we have no authority
means to comply with the request
ne the authorities we're it to be made.
a. I've, therefore, respectfully ask th
no the application be refused and disr
g. garded. We might make the furth
rs suggestion that the proposed change
es asked for solely for the private ga
": and profit of the said company and b
ed no bearing at all upon the general
Id public advantage or convenience.
M was not the intention of Congress
its legislation to protect or furtt
to private business or interests, but
", protect the general or usual traffic q
ny trade, for which latter purpose
lid present bridge is ample and preset
Is. no obstruction or encroacbment
'ur Tho letter Is signed by all of
ng members of the Levy Court, exc
Chairman Scott, who was not in
The city Thursday when the others arpent
IAN their signatures. 1t is believed, he
red ever, that its contents are agreeable
ow him. The letter was forwarded
vas Washington Thursday, aud tits expec
to that in a few days the Secretary
the War will indicate the pleasure of
his government in the matter-whethe
ght will insist upon wider passagey
for vessels at Market street bridge
RS allow matters to stand as at prest
tile as the Levy court desires.
avs
God WEnnIMne
tn WLUClNuO,