Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1870-02-18
THE BRIDGE QUESTION.

THE BRIDGE QUESTION.
Mr.. Edtor:-I should like to say few
words, through your paper, in reply to |
"Citizcn," In your last issue, and see if it |
will bear Analysing. In the first place he |
says, "that the spot where our bridge last |
stood is as good a spot TO build on. as re-
CARDS the safety of the bridge, as there is on
the river within the limits of the town of
Dummerston, and the expense of building |
the bridge and its foundation will cost $1,000 |
less than TO build it on any other spot"
Now | think he has laid this on rather
thick. That the old site of the bridge may
be the best spot whereon to place the new
bridge, | will not say; perhaps, all things
considered it may be, but that there are
serious objections cannot be gainsayed by
any unprejudiced mind. That it is at Il
point where all the roads centre now, and
will not necessitatc the building of any new
ones is conceded. But that there are half
dozen other places on the river where a
bridge would be more likely to stand,
think any one can see. At the place where
the last bridge stood was very steep in
cline and short turn to get on and off
of it at the west end, and the river
at the time of the fall freshet came round
the west abutment, washing the road seve-
raj feet deeper, and now if the bridge is re-
built on the old site the abutments should
be raised some two feet higher than the old
ones, thus nccessitating the filling in Of the
road at that end Of the bridge some eight or
more feet, besides other alterations, which
one of the sclectmen says will cost as much
as to build an abutment ;-whereas, al the
other place talked of, the banks are very
high, out Of all possible reach of high wa
ter, and ledge on the east side and across
the bed Of the river, and in all probability
but n few feet beneath the surface of the
ground on the west side, while the width of
the river is about the same at either place.
| have heard that an experienced stone
mason has made his bids for each place, and
offers to build the stone work in the old
place $500 less than at the other. True it is
argued that the road at the old spot must be
filled anyhow, but it will not require more
than half tine filling than il bridge were
there. "Citizen' says, "that if the bridge
is put down the river three-iourths Of a
mile there must be three roads laid ont and
built to it, at an expense of $4,000 al least"
and one of these roads, he says, would run
from the bridge. down the river to LEROY
Wilder's, distance of some four miles"
Now, instead Of four miles, it is not over
two and half miles, and there is road
| now passablc FOR horses and carriage, by
| opening gates, and this will fetch Mr. Wild
| err only three-fOurths of a mile nearer the
| bridge; and he Mr.. Wilder, saws that
would make no difference with linn or with
| the public, if they wished to force a road.
and it is a road that no one wishes to travel
more than half dozen times in wear. |
! look upon this talk rs all sensation, and
made for effect. Tho other two roads would
! probably be opened but hardly at the cost
that Citizen" estimates it. Citizen" saws
that to put the bridge down the river where
it is talked of, would leave a large portion
of school district No. 6 so far from the school
| house, by the way Of the bridge that it
would be impossible or the children to at
tend school. Now but Il small part Of dis
trict No. is on the opposite side of the
river TO the school-house, and to some it
would make no difference rs to distance.
while to few it would, though but one
family would be disconnected seriously;
still this is an objection which ought to be
considered seriously. He says great share
of the business of said district goes to New
| fame, and il would make the distance great
err to 60 in that direction. Now not one
tenth of the business of district No. q goes
to Nowlane, and hardly any aside from go
ing to mill, and there is person that says
he stands ready to put up Grist-mill near
this bridge, provided it is built ON the over
site. Another objection "Citizcn" finds in
the way is Il survey of the West river rail-
road which runs near the river at the lower
point. That is railroad that is siill in the
future, and the survey preliminary one;
the road may or may not be huilt; il may
go on that survey or may not, il it should
where 1t will not be likely TO be disturbed
by high water, and built economically.
That there are valid reasons, as well rs OBJ
jections, to both places, cannot be denied,
and think the reasons, pro and con, should
be calmly considered and inteligently act
ed upon ut our annual town meeting.
CANpoR.
In the communication from pummers-
ton concerning the West river bridge, sign
ed "Ctizen," which We published last week,
the expression towards the close, 1--WE t end
of the bridge should read east end of the
| bridge.