The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1901-12-26

Louse) I
building of the slowly growing city. {
which is the seat OF government OF 7
our proud and prosperous people /
During the last congress these gen
tlemen secured the enactment OF Dill
authorizing the building of new
bridge across the Potomac river, north
of the Old Long bridge, which is to be
destroyed because it is menace TO
navigation, and often causes the river
TO back up and overflow portion OF
| the city. At the Virginia terminus OF
| the new bridge great trunk Inc mas
! bought all the property when mas
been known a jackson City ever since
1S35. The railroad company is tear
ing down what is left of the old town;
and its demolition takes from the lace
of the earth the vilest gambling dens
in this vicinity. The national capital
is purer and cleaner by this condition.
which has been brought about by the !
enactment of legislation for the new /,
bridge.
One mile further up the Potomac,
at the Virginia end of the Aqueduct
bridge. the town of Rosslyn exists,
and when the Virginia authorities
wipe out that sinllhole of iniquity the
criminals of the land will avoid
Washington.
When the day shall come that Nir-
ginia is free from both of its toul
: places, this capital will expand across
+ the river, and suburban homes Will
i spring up all over Arlington Heights.
Now, speaking of this prospective
8 development of our city. the story
c must be completed by telling of the
u work of the lobby. 1t will surprise
YOU to learn that there is lobby in
terested in the development of That
e beautiful tract of land. You will be
II more surprised to learn that they
are coniuring with the name of Will
: liam Mckinley to aid them in their
- money-making schemes.
- As soon as McKinley's death was
announced you will remember that
| prominent Ohio people began the
| nroiect of a memorial to be built at
| canton, a memorial in which all of
| the people of the republic might be
| Interested. That was well. Now, re-
call the fact that there Immediately
arose a cry from Washington Tor the
| building of n Mckinley memorial
| here-a memorial in the form OF
| magnificent bridge over the Potomac;
bridge to cost millions OF dollars
Now, mark you; this is the scheme
Il of the real estate men who own Oh
I'll or, agents for that beautiful proper
tv on Arlington Heights. They wan
81 not primarily for the perpetuatlon o
81 the memory of Mckinley; not pr
marily for the patriotic pride in TN
city which they proclaim. they wan
that bridge in order that they ma
sell town lots. What do you thin
u of that?
If YOU have taken interest in tn
p,,tter Won have seen it stated /
oN the daily newspapers that Senate
Hanna. who was Mckinley's closes
nds friend, objects to the propose
sin memorial at Washington city. II
ace does not publicly give his reason
am. hut they are understood here. Sen
,re. for Allison, who, as chairman of II
me senate committee on Appropriation
.en. scrutinizes every dollar appropriate
al Kmley memorial bridge at this tim
ives He also understands the schem
nse Meantime, the town lots must lie on
bio doors under the sky for some yea
for vet. before any bridge shall be bui
, of These memorial bridge people IA
not the only self-seekers who pc
pro- meate the swirl and leaven the leg
law lative lump by vigorous lobby WoI
.ure. There is an element of selishness
, fa- every measure under considerable
,eer. That wisdom will pervade the cou
man oils of the real leaders we may IL
cad, sonably anticipate because of eNi
yaNs ent facts After all, the majority
o do our legislators are at heart SEEK
81 The right, and they usually hnd
.isky In brief there is much more GO
who than bad in every congress; ma
,ume more men on the side of patriot
lie to and national honor than ON the
Lould of weakness and wickedness.
- IL SMITH D. FIR