The Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1863-1886, 1868-08-20
Ffgy1 = For the Lancaster Gazette.
Lancaster Fenced in.
MEssRs. EpIroRs -

MEssRs' EnIroRs:-
lam really afraid that somo, at
least, of our citizens do not know
that our city is in effect, if not
literally, being fenced in on tho
entire west side.
There is but one bridge across
the canal on the west, as all are
aware, and that is the turning
bridge, which is left.in such dis
graceful condition as regards hand
ling thatit amounts to a very scr.
ious trouble and detention at times
for persons to get in or out on the
west side. ' ma tTa
feel for ono that it is real
Disgrace to our city to have
stranger como along, as they some-
times do, and have to beg of some
one on this side TO turn the bridge
and let them in.
But it is not on account of stran-
gers alono that it is q disgrace
but on account of our own citizens
and our country people, who travel
over this bridge. They have q
right to expect the bridge shut
promptly after a boat passes
through, and they arc often met
with rudeje jest and insult for asking
that it be closed. Thore are many
nights also that il stands open half
the time, or until some one hap.
pens to BEGGING out from this side,
and they thon close it for thoir
own accommodation. But persons
coming in have to either wait for
that kind of an opportunity to got
in town, or call some of the neigh.
bors out from this side, or else re.
sort to the dangerous expedient of
leaving their team stand--if they
have one-and go down to the
Lock and cross and come up on
this side and then push their life
almost out to turp it and get across.
But why all this? Boatmen say
the bridge is an obstruction to the
canal, and as such they will not
close it. Canal law SAYS bridges
shall be ten feet above high water
mark. Yet the bridge is there,
and it must be turned when boats
are running, whether it turns hard
or easily; and whom il worked as
it should, tho boatmen generously
closed it after passing, notwlth.
standing their protests. But in
its present condition, which is very
bad indeed, they arc knocking Il
open with their boats, and genor.
ally leaving il so after thom; and
| think they are not much to be
blamed, for it takes from three tC
five men to turn it either way
now.
But tho remedy. For triding
cost it could have been kept in
good runniag order and in goot
repair but in tho way it has boer
used lately twill cost considerable
to repair it; and indeed will need
an entire new ono if it is not very
soon attended to. Now, as We
have q city council who arc taking
considerable interest in improving
our streets and Identifying publ,
property, we, who have an intores
in the west side of town and q lit
tie city pride feel that it is no NOR,
than right for the city council &
see that those whose duty it may
be to keep tho bridge in proper or
der, do it or else have il done OF
their own responsibility and il POS
sible, draw as much from the larg
share Of the bridge tax paid b,
tho city and those interested il
the crossing.
Our commissioners say that i
was an imposition on the part 0
the turnpike company to throw ]
: II upon their hands, and that the,
will not have-any thing to do witt
! IL. Nevertheless the bridge mus
be fixed, and it seems TO me tha
our council should take tho matte
in hand and see toit.
! H, CARTER.
q Aug, llth, 1868.