Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1903-02-12
lCoDIUSIcATED.
ChaptIcO Bridge.

Messrs. Editors - read atten-
lively aud with interest the eomFnu-
nication in last week 5 issue of the
BEACON over the signature of Tax
payer in reference 70 the proposed
new wooden bridge in lieu of the
old one that now spands Chaptico
Run. The piece is well written and
the views and suggestions therein
expressed are in accord with my
own. !. am glad Taxpayer has spo-
ken, and | promise him my unquali-
fed support and endorsement.
"Be thou the first true merit 20 befriend:
His praise Is lost who stays tiil all commend"
| have all along been strepuously
and unchangeably opposed to wood
en- structure of any kind over the
run in question, and have remained
silent until now with the view OF
hearing some one more competent
than | with the finances Of the coun-
ty and the resources and require
mehts OF its people tospeak out: and
now that the first note of warming
has been heard, let every honest, in
telligent taxpayer of the 4fh Election
district, il not the entire county,
add thereto his protest, which will
be as so many streams from different
directions, all cougerging To- one
great, resistless current Of opposi-
ton, more destructive to the bridge
in contemplation than have been the
time and tide to the old one that has
long since passed its stage of safety.
| have been a resident OF the 4th
Election district for several years,
noticed with interest the construc-
ton of the present bridge, and was
among the first TO admire its appar-
ent substantially after its compile
ton thirteen years ago. have
crossed and recrossed this bridge
many hundred Of times since, and
during the last FIVE years, with the
exception OF Uncle Sans mail car
rier, as often, perhaps, as any other
man IN the county, and have noticed,
with some surprise, its rapid deter
ioration, until now, young in years,
old in appearance, week, feeble and
bent in figure, this unsafe; insight
ly structure em;ts a groan at the
slightest burden il is forced TO car
ry. And what is the cause OF this
rapid giving away? Is il due 10
poor workmanship, defective lum-
Der, hard usage, or all three com
bined2 No. II has been conceded,
| believe, that the builder did his
: work fairly well. and used about as
good oak as was obtainable. To
where, then, can we look for an an
swer? Wood above, below, in and
around this bridge proclaims It's in
stability TO do good service over a
stream OF the dimensions OF Chapti-
CO Run. les width, the volume ol
water that flows between its banks,
the incoming tide, its recedence-
all miltitate against abe durability oil
wood for any reasonable time. Had
the one now in use, and which has
been unsafe for a long time, never
been built, but an iron bridge used
instead, we would have today some.
thing good as new, and safe, and
strong for years to come. Give US
then an iron bridge. Who cares for
the extra cost? It's beauty, its
strength, safety aud durability will
more than compensate for the addi.
tional outlay.
In conclusion, Messrs Editors, lei
me express the wish that all who
are interested in nice roads, safe
means OF crossing our large streams
and prOgressiveness of our good old
county, irrespective OF politics OF
party utilization, unite in one strong
pull, long pull and pull altogeth
err, in advocacy of an iron suspen
sion bridge resting on solid mason
~ on each bank, with superstruc
turar arched braces tn which tn,
main spans will be attached, and W,
will have strong, durable, grace
full structure tina: will be q credi
to its builders, convenience TO th,
public for years TO come. and a prid
and boast of the good old village @
Chaptico.
A SUBSCRIBE.