The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1858-03-06
The Illinois River Bridge.
A FEW WORDS TO SOUTH sIDERs.

Z
nitv 1or many miles around, that Ottawa
furnishes one Of the best markets in the
State, and that her produce dealers will act
with as much lib.rality as those Of any
other market in the country. Now this
good market is of little importance to as if It
remains much longer under the heavy en-
bargoes that are levied upon it by incorpo-
rated individuals who seem to care but little
of any other interest save their own indiyi-
dual ACKNOWLEDGEMENT. When VIC received
high famine prices for our produce, we cared
but little for the high tolls that were levied
upon US for the sake Of reaching a market.
But now when the Philistines are upon
as, and the hard money tax gatherer has to
be satisfied at even heavy sacrifice Of our
products, | do think we should use our best
exertions to remedy existing evils, and | am
satisfied, by united effort, we can accom-
plish all that is desirable, and that, too,
without making any serious sacrifice of our
property or materially disseminating US.
All Of US well know that the heaviest tax
we now are under is that levied upon US by
the Illinois River Bridge Co. By exchange
OF information with my neighbors find that
the Company levy from $l2 to $40 per an
mum Oh our farmers for crossing said Bridge,
and think their exactons will at least ave-
rage $40 per annum on every farmer in at
least az geographical towns in this county,
/ which reduced to acres amounts to 276, $50
acres that is embraced within the territory,
and deeply interested in cheap and sp :edy
! transit across the river. This country has
rapidly improved within few years and
will continue to do so if the proper measures
are taken to accomplish this object. We all
know that our future increase of population
will be retarded, for at present prices it
takes at least one bushel o! corn in every If
! ~ We raise to cross said bridge, and if we
are not within one days drive in going to
and returning from market, it takes two bu-
shells in every fifty to get It across the river
This Of itself is burden enough to weigh
down the industry Of any people, and cspe
cially so in = new country where there is 30
much need of our scanty means to improve
. our homes and make them comfortable for
our families.
Now you may ask how we are to get rid
of this bur,hen. Ny answer is simply this:
Build free bridge across this river, and to
{ do it ourselves by one united and unanimous
struggle. We possess the power, and by
shaking the dew drops from tbs lions
name, and going at it like men, We can do
it, and after it i. done, we will wonder at
ourselves for having so long worn the yoke
that has so severely CALLED U.s. Look al
go, $50 acres of land IN this county alone,
deeply interested in this matter, and | am
free 10 say that believe but one feeling
exists in regard 10 counteracting this evil,
and that an almost unanimous vote could be
had in the different towns at the next spring
. meeting fer tax TO build said bridge. And
/ If the SPECTATORS who own land in either of
the towns are selfish enough to oppose tax
for this purpose, all have to say is that we
+ can vote for thom, and give them = little BIT
I ter with the sweet that they have been so
/ long slipping at our expense. BIT you all
say no more taxes, we have hard work TO
pay those that already exist, and what are
We to do if they are increased? Have you
ever taken your pencil and figured in the
matter: Let US look at it. The 276, 43O
acres OF land before mentioned, by levying a
tax of 10 cents per acre will produce the
round sum Of s21 GAS for the purpose Of a
free bridge. Tss will amount to IS on each
50 acre lot, or ZIG on each qu rter section,
about the average amount that each farmer
pays annually to the present Bridge Co.
This amount need not be paid in one or
even ten years. 1t might be cut mp into ten
pieces and left to run for five years, by levy
ing one-fiitn the first year, and collecting IT.;
the balance of the money could be had by
loan, the faith Of the towns being pledged
By bonds or otherwise. You may say how
ever. that this amount would not be sufii-
ciertt TO build a permanent bridge across
this river al Ottawa. | am Credih,y inform
ed that contract can be let for jl1, eco to
build above the mouth Of Fox River. Then
you may say that we will have to cross the
Fox River bridge to get 10 Ottawa This is
so; but have no doubt the present. owners
OF that bridge will act with cominendable
liberalty, and grant the free use OF that
bridge TO those who are compelled TO cross
the Illinois river bridge. But should they
refuse TO do this. have no doub, the city
OF Ottawa will take the matter in hand BY
either purchasing that bridge and making
it free, or building a free fridge across that
stream on the mex. street above the present
location in truth it has been a wonder to
me that the inhabitants Of East Ottawa have
so long remained idle regarding free bridge
at the last named point. Look at it. Here
is = young and prosperous city divided by
an impossible barrier, unless the inhabitan
open their money bags every time they wish
to see friend or neighboT, to say nothing
Of the views and feelings Of strangers who
are brought TO a stand still at this point
when taking view Of the city for the pur.
pose perhaps OF seeking location and in
vesting their money in it. This canno. last
long, and after We have bridged the Illinois
and made it fee, if East Ottawa has not go,
the pluck to bridge >he Fox, we will make
a general donation party for them and help
them as we do our cergymen with pork
and beans But Ottawa will come to the
rescue; she has many noble souls within
her borders, and men, too, who will no,
hamper and fetter the trade of the city by
Withholding all needful aid in their pawer
Let US bridge the Illinois and the last blow
will not be struck before the Fox will be
made free. Her commerce now amounts to
millions and two comparatively insigniican,
streams will not much longer weigh down
her trade and eat out substance Of the farm
ing community.
Who will take the lead in this matter ?
We may first need legislation to enable the
different towns to levy this tax, but that can
be attended to in time. Who will take the
lead in the different towns to agitate the
NATTER What is everybody's business is
generally nobody's BUSINESS, and is often
neglected. Let some one in each town at
the next spring election take the lead and
have an expression the subject. If the PEG.
pie wish to do any thing they will find a
way of doing it, and once willing the work
is half DONE
Mr.. Editor, have already troubled you
at some length. bat l havs deemed it my
duty to put this ball in motion. I hope
others will take hold and treat it more ably
than have been capable of doing. l have
have no hard words for the Bridge Compa-
MES alluded to-they make the mos. they
can and we have perfect right to do the
same thing. SorrH SIDE
No MORE MADERIA.-A Funchal cores
pendent of the Philadelphia Ledger srys that
1T Is not an open question whether any more
Madeira will ever be produced. None has