The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1867-09-20

TO The Editor of the Press. ii. fl55,.f.9 ... 4
Notwithstanding f. G.. Z. IS statement of facts
IN Tuesdays issue of the Press, in reply to my
communication, it can be shown by intellil
gent and reliable testimony, that not more
than twenty families would be accommodated
by rebuilding this bridge, and that beyond the
limits that would embrace that number of
families, the two roads were formerly regarded
as SO nearly equal in point of convenience,
that almost the entire travel was diverted to
the present route, in preference to paying toll
by the old route. s fri s.e-,s.,s f..,.l. +;
he further States that it can never be built
SO cheap as at the present time when all the
abutments stands(w little addition) ready
to receive the imbers." Unfortunately for his
theory of cheap building, the county has no
interest in these abutments or the soil on
which they rest. They are private property,
and can only be acquired by purchase, the
same as any other material to be used in con-
structing the bridge. 1t would be q matter of
interest to the public to know at what price
the work in its present state can be purchased.
As f. g. RS attention seems to have been di-
rected to this point, he may be able to give the
desired information. .-...,...s - .,i l-..'
He pretends to regard our estimate of the
expense of rebuilding as very absurd, All we
have to say on this point is, that having con-
suited with some of our shrewdest and most
practical business men in relation to it, the
lowest estimate we have heard is forty thou
sand dollars. % The exposed situation will
greatly increase the expense OF rebuilding and
keeping in repair.a bridge at this point, as the
repeated destruction of the old structure,
abundantly proves. sa3 iAdi i1si 9dls sll5uslld
os Again he argues in favor of rebuilding from
the fact that the present bridge is liable to be-
come impossible at any time, This original
aud striking argument we are compelled to
pass without further notice, not feeling compe-
tent to do justice to the subject. 1t is very
easy for non-residents, as we suppose F. G. r.
to be, to indulge in such filings at GO the old and
and hackneyed bugbear of taxation" but tax
alton is no idle phantom to the people of Port
land. The charge offogyism and want of enter
prise has afearful import to many minds, but
fogyism is very indefinite and harmless term.
and enterprise does not consist in the ipdis-
cflminate squandering of money, on every
scheme presented to u.s.. With all due respect
tor f. q. r. we feel compelled to say that the
reasons advanced by him are not the true ones.
and 1T is for no such purpose that the movers
IN tins matter are seeking to accomplish their
object. The whole matter originated with a
few individuals owning real estate on the 9th
ca side who hoped by this means to induce
persons from the cityto purchase lots for set
,tlement, thus greatly increasing the value of
their property. 1t is no matter Of public en-
terprise with them, but simply one OF private
interest. They are earnestly engaged in meas
ureifor securing this result. They have the ser |
vices of able counsel, and are bringing strong
influence to bear upon the County Commits
sioners. We felt there was danger the scheme
would be successful. and believed it duty to |
call the attention of our citizens and the city |
government to the subject With this COM |
munication the discussion rests, SO far as we
are concerned. In closing we can best ex-
press the hope that our city government will |
promptly and theoretically oppose this meas
ure, and that not only our own citizens but the
tax payers Of the county generally, will re-
monstrate against so large and needless ex-
nense lt l9s Nsiis ] sits RliW 4Tii M !