Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1869-05-04
Boscobel Bridge-Personal Items
County Aid Opposed.

The following private corresponds
ence appears by request Of the writer,
tor reasons stated:
Hon. JARED WARMER, Patch Grove.
DEAR SIR AS there il q good
deal of idle clamor, and some wilful
misrepresentation, about the contents
of a letter which l addressed to you
early in January last, with reference
to an application, which it was then
understood would be made to the
County Board of Supervisors, for a
large appropriation out OF, the County
funds, to aid the Boscobel and Man
haitian Bridge Co. in building their
bridge, | write to request you to send
said letter to Mr.. Cover, for publica>
ton in the Herald. Please send also
this letter, to be published in connec>
with the other.
do not recollect the exact phrases
ology of the letter in question, but
have not forgotten its general tenor.
1t stated we'll known facts connected
with the operations of said Bridge
Co, stated the amount our town had
raised by tax in aid of the enterprise
$40, 000-and stated that those
having the matter in charge were
trying to get from this, and Craw-
ford Counties, from the several towns
interested, and from individuals,
enough or nearly enough to build the
bridge, leaving the capital stock free
and without cost in hands of very
few individuals--a valuable franchise
for nothing.
1t further urged the injustice of
making public appropriations in aid
of private enterprises, however de-
serving they may be; and advised
economy. Now, as the facts above
recited are we'll known here, and rs
the general rule that l advised to be
followed, is one am known to adj
vocate at all times, and on oil occa>
sions, without the slightest attempt
at concealment, / wish now to say
that | reafiirm the facts and stand
by all the declarations and general
principles contained in that letter.
| very much desire, in common
with the mass of my fellow citizens,
TO have the B. 4 NJ. Bridge built as
soon as possible, but l see no justice
or propriety in having the public fur
nish all the means required, while
the favored few are to own all the
stock, and reap all the profits. II
built wholly by subscription, there ID
no question but that the investment
would prove profitable to the stock
holders; but as now proposed, the
half score who control the stock
could sell their franchise the day af
tor completion, and divide the plum
der, which would be all gain.
Very Respectfully Yours,
G. *. DEAN.
HoS. JARED WARNER,
Ny DEAR Sir Il learned on yes,
terday that Mr.. Field 10 to make per.
sonal application to the County
Board for considerable appropria-
ton to build tho proposed bridge
across the Wisconsin river at this
place. He also proposes to apply to
Crawford Co. for like appropriation,
if not directly to the 0. Board, then
to certain towns interested and it is
also suggested that similar effort
will be made in this town. Farther,
he has stated his determination to
induce the legislature to exempt the
Bridge property from taxation.
In order to full understanding oil
the merits of the case, | will state
some facts bearing on it. First, the
bridge project is in the hands of a
chartered and organized corporation,
of which Field is President and Mr.
McSpaden Secretary. The few cor
porators have had meetings, subscrib
cd enough stock to effect an organi-
xation, and to control the franchise.
There is another proposition on
foot connected with the trade and
interests Of out unquiet place, which
learn is to be pressed upon the
coming Legislature, utz, to raise by
tax several thousand dollars in the
towns of Boscobel, Marion and Fem
nimore, for the purpose of turnpiking
and macadamizing the road from here
to Fennimore Center. When this
large sum has been expended Gil
raised) and the road needs but little
more to make it first class. Then
shall look for the organization of o
TURNPIKE Co. to cover this same road,
and to reap the benefit of the whole
outlay, and / could even now count
off the NJ en- who would compose the
corporation. BIT notwithstanding
this, If the County Board shall think
proper to make an appropriation for
this road and take csre that every
dollar of it shall be wisely expended,
it might work good results and meet
with general favor in this quarter, as
that road, during large part of the
year is in a very bad condition. The
only question about it is one of equal
ity, of the right TO tai one portion of
the County for the benefit ofanother
portion in which they have no local
interest.
/ do not wish to interfere with the
success of msritorious objects, but l
thought it my duty to inform you of
some matters touehing business likely
to come before you, having an impor
tant bearing on tho case.
Not knowing how to reach you
just now, l shall enclose this open, to
Col. Clark, who will of course deliv>
err it to you on your arrival ct Lam
caster. There is nothing about it re.
curing concealment, and l will leave
you to use it as your good sense may
dictate.
have written it be assured as free
as possible from all personal feeling
touching the party whose name L
have used. Yours Truly,
Bescobsl, January Sd, 1862 CK.DEAN.
The STATE UNIvERsrTY.-We have
known for some time that President
Chadbourne of the STATE University
has resigned, but we refrained from
publishing the fact until be should