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Editorial
May 19, 1886
The Washington Critic
Washington, District Of Columbia
What is this article about?
Editorial urges District Commissioners to propose a grand, 50-60 foot wide bridge across the Potomac from Observatory Hill to Arlington Heights, built by the US Government as a national memorial uniting North and South, criticizing a narrow design and advocating comprehensive future planning for the capital.
Clipping
OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
A GRAND MEMORIAL BRIDGE.
Our District Commissioners must enlarge their views in regard to the proposed bridge across the Potomac, extending from Observatory Hill to Arlington Heights. The idea of suggesting a bridge of a light structure, eighteen feet in width, without sidewalks, is simply ridiculous. Such a bridge should be not less than fifty feet wide--better to be sixty--at least wide enough for a double carriageway, double street-car tracks and two sidewalks, and should be constructed of the most substantial material, combining stone masonry and iron, and embellished in a manner worthy of this great Nation.
Such a bridge, if built, will, of course, be erected by the United States Government, and the question of its cost doesn't concern the District Commissioners. They were merely asked for a suggestion as to the character of a bridge which would meet their views. Such a bridge will be a structure of national importance, connecting the Capital of the Republic with the new South, and should be a memorial of the reunited bond of fraternity between the Northern and Southern States. It should, in its grandeur and excellence, be unsurpassed by any similar structure in the world.
Again The Critic suggests to our Commissioners temporarily in charge of District affairs to take a broad gauge and comprehensive view of all matters of improvement affecting the future welfare of this beautiful Capital City of the Nation. In short, don't confine your suggestions to merely temporary expedients for to-day, but keep in view the needs and necessities of the near future as well. Remember that Washington, as the Capital of the country, is growing apace with the prosperity of the entire Republic, and that the people of the whole country are interested in the greatness and grandeur of their Capital, and they will sustain their representatives in Congress in legislating in a national spirit for its future if the matters submitted for their consideration are broad, comprehensive, and in the true line of progress and development.
Our District Commissioners must enlarge their views in regard to the proposed bridge across the Potomac, extending from Observatory Hill to Arlington Heights. The idea of suggesting a bridge of a light structure, eighteen feet in width, without sidewalks, is simply ridiculous. Such a bridge should be not less than fifty feet wide--better to be sixty--at least wide enough for a double carriageway, double street-car tracks and two sidewalks, and should be constructed of the most substantial material, combining stone masonry and iron, and embellished in a manner worthy of this great Nation.
Such a bridge, if built, will, of course, be erected by the United States Government, and the question of its cost doesn't concern the District Commissioners. They were merely asked for a suggestion as to the character of a bridge which would meet their views. Such a bridge will be a structure of national importance, connecting the Capital of the Republic with the new South, and should be a memorial of the reunited bond of fraternity between the Northern and Southern States. It should, in its grandeur and excellence, be unsurpassed by any similar structure in the world.
Again The Critic suggests to our Commissioners temporarily in charge of District affairs to take a broad gauge and comprehensive view of all matters of improvement affecting the future welfare of this beautiful Capital City of the Nation. In short, don't confine your suggestions to merely temporary expedients for to-day, but keep in view the needs and necessities of the near future as well. Remember that Washington, as the Capital of the country, is growing apace with the prosperity of the entire Republic, and that the people of the whole country are interested in the greatness and grandeur of their Capital, and they will sustain their representatives in Congress in legislating in a national spirit for its future if the matters submitted for their consideration are broad, comprehensive, and in the true line of progress and development.
What sub-type of article is it?
Infrastructure
What keywords are associated?
Potomac Bridge
District Commissioners
National Memorial
Washington Infrastructure
Reunited States
What entities or persons were involved?
District Commissioners
United States Government
The Critic
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
Proposal For A Grand Memorial Bridge Across The Potomac
Stance / Tone
Strong Advocacy For Expansive National Scale Design
Key Figures
District Commissioners
United States Government
The Critic
Key Arguments
Bridge Should Be At Least Fifty Feet Wide For Double Carriageway, Street Car Tracks, And Sidewalks
Construct Bridge Of Substantial Material Combining Stone Masonry And Iron
Embellish In Manner Worthy Of The Nation
Bridge As National Memorial Of Reunited North And South
Commissioners Should Take Broad View Of Future Improvements For Washington