Year: 1860

EXTENSION OF THE BALTIMORE AND


OHIO kAILROAD ACROSS THE LONG


BRIDGE.


The following debate took place in the US.
Senate on Saturday last, on this subject


Mr.. Brown.-Mr. President, give way now
tony colleague on the committee, the Senator
from Maryland, to call up q bill in which he
u interested, and which he has reported him
self. in reference to the Baltimore and Ohio
railroad. Before he does so, wish to give
notice that when that is disposed of, shall
ask the Senate to take up the bill in reference
20 damages growing out Of the grading Of
streets Of the city of Washington.


Mr. Kennedy beg leave now to move to
take up the bill S. No. 3T7.


The motion was agreed to; and the Senate,
rs in Committee of the Whole, proceeded TO
consider the bill IS No 377) to authorize the
Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Company ts ex-
tend the Washington branch Of their road to
Potomac river. and across the same, by an ex-
tension of the present structure known as the
Long bridge, for the purpose of connecting
with the Virginia railroads at that point II
authorizes the Baltimore and Ohio railroad
Company to extend the Washington branch of
their road from point in Washington city,
near G. street north, passing through First
street east, to near ID street south; thence by
curve crossing New Jersey avenue. South
Capitol street, and the canal, to f street south,
and through the last-nsmed street to the Poto-





across the river by means of pile structure
adjacent TO and connected with the Long
Bridge, for a railroad track on the eastern side
Of the bridge so as to form connection with the
Virginia shore, and with such railroads as may
be made or already have been made by author
ity Of the State of Virginia to that point; but
the widening or extension of the Long Bridge
is to be constructed with suitable draws for
the convenience of navigation. The Balti-
more and Ohio Railroad Company are also au-
thOrized to construct tunnel upon that Dor
ton Of the line, authorized to be extended by
thiS act, lying between a point near street
north, and the west side of New jersey avenue
SO as TO involve no injury to the public grounds
or permanent obstruction to the use Of the
streets for ordinary purposes; and the com
pany is TO have power to use steam or lOcomO-
tive power on the whole or any part of the
route. Power and authority are given to the
company to lay track, and to use the same
for the transportation of passengers and freight
from some suitable point on the route to be ex-
tended to tide-water, between the Long Bridge
and the Navy Y ard, so as TO be connected with
southern lines Of steamboats, plying on the Po-
tomac river. The company are also to have
authority TO lay street track from some con-
venient point on the main route 10 the depot
IF the company in Washington and are to have
power to transport upon the same cars for
burden and passengers. until such time as the
tunnel shall be completed. They are also TO
have authority to charge for the transportation
Of merchandise or freight, of every description,
upon the connecting railroad to the termini
thereof at tide-water, and on the Virginia
shore, at the rate Of not exceeding twenty five
cents per ton net, and for the transportation of
passengers at a rate not exceeding twenty-five
cents for each passenger carried by them upon
the connecting railroad.


The Committee on the District of Columbia
reported the bill with various amendments


Mr. Clark-This is a bill, understand for
a connection with the Baltimore and Ohio rail-
road


Mr. Brown.-I suggest to the Senator to let
the amendments Of the committee be read


Mr.. Clark have no objection to that; but
was going to ask that il be postponed for
little while. My attention has just been called
to it by some Of the people of Georgetown.


Mr.. BrOwn.-AddreSS yourself to the Sen
ator from Maryland. He has the bill in charge.


Mr. Clark did not understand who had
1t in charge.


Mr.. Brown am opposed to the bill my
self.


Mr.. CIark.-Iwin ask that it be postponed
until have sn opportunity of examining it.
The people Of Georgetown are largely inter
ested in it. They consider il to be very much
to their detriment, and desire TO have some
facts and considerations presented which l am
not prepared to present now. was in the
ante-rOom Of the Senate comforting with some
gentlemen in regard to it at the time when it
was called up, and that is the reason why / did
not know who had it in charge. / simply ask
that an opportunity be given to them to have
some little time for presenting their views in
regard to it. believe they were never heard
before the committee, and they desire Ia be
heard at some time, either by somebody who
shall make a statement for them, or in some
other way.


Mr.. kennedy the honorable Senator
will allow me, l am prepared TO state all the OBJ
jeetions that may exist on the part Of George
town TO this bill. I should very much prefer
70 have il considered now, because it is one Of
very great importance to the travelling commu
nifty between the North and the South. have
a map which shows that the only break in the
whole line Of travel between Portland, Maine
and New Orleans, occurs in this city. This
company are asking simply for a right of way
10 20 under the grounds of this Capitol, to go
around to the river and there cross the Long
Bridge, and connect with the whole of the
roads Of the Southwest.


Tho Baltimore company, who are asking for
this privileges, felt themselves called upon to
undertake the work, because the gap occurs at
the terminus Of a lateral branch of the road of
that company. They have invested in this
branch, leading from here to Baltimore, a cap
ital of some 81 SOC, 600, upon which the State
Of MARYLAND charges them a tax Of one-ffth of
their gross receipts. They have no particular
interest themselves, individually, in this thing;
but in conformity with the wishes OF railroads,
both North and South, they have agreed to in
cur the expense Of filing up q gap occurring
here on the government property. If they are
required 70 20 around by Georgetown, the ex-
pense viii be so great, and the distance so
greatly increased, myself am prepared to say
they will withdraw the application at once.
They win not entertain or consider PROPOSE
ton to 90 10 Georgetown; it is altogether mad
missible. / have the facts here before me to
show that the cost Of carrying the road around
by Georgetown, 50 as to form junction with
southern roads, will be almost equal TO the
whole cost of the road from here to Baltimore.


This is some three miles shorter, and Of course
the expense of transportation and travel will be
much decreased by this route, which they are
willing to undertake for the sum estimated by
the engineer, giving them branch connecting
down the river with the southern lines by
steamboat, and facilitating the transportation
of the mail and travel through, without the
break that now occurs. 1t is a matter Of great
interest 10 the people Of Washington, and to
people travelling between New Orleans and
New York. When this gap is Allied up by this
route. the running time will be sixty-two hours
f-o,, Nav York TO New Orleans Ii will be a