The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1873-12-25

is little two salty.
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A BRIDGE.
What the city Of Austin now needs more
than anything else is a good, substantial
and durable bridge across the Colorado
river at the foot Of Congress avenue. The
growth and improvement Of our city has
been rapid since the completion of the
branch Of the Central Railroad. Its popu-
Iation has doubled and its trade has in
creased in hike proportion. Its improve
ments have been mostly Of substantial
character and reflect credit on the taste
and enterprise Of its people. The new side
walks on the Avenue, now nearly finished,
are an honor to the city and not to be
excelled anywhere. Steps have been
taken to supply The requisite guam
tity of gas to light us up and show US
of at night to the very best advantage and
the introduction of full supply of water
for use and ornament viii soon follow.
Now the great and pressing necessity is
bridge, and a bridge across the Colorado at
the point indicated we must have in some
way. We say it should. be at the foot of
the Avenue, because that is the very centre
of the business portion Of our city as well
as near the centre of its population and viii
accommodate more people in the city and
out of the city than bridge at any other
point When we speak of the necessity for
bridge, VIC Of course speak comparatively.
We could live on. it is true, as we are liv-
ing, greatly incommoded for the want
of bridge. The Colorado is sometimes
fordable in low stages of water, but
there is really not good safe ford
anywhere near the city. Within the last
fifteen years several lives have been lost in
attempting to ford the river. We nave had
ferries and bridges Of boats, but the ferries
are at all times very inconvenient and
troublesome, and the boats are soon washed
away, and this mode of crossing is very un-
certain. Then our trade with the West has
greatly increased with the building of the
railroad, and we must furnish facilities to
the people wishing to come here for trading
purposes. A good bridge, insuring a GER
tainty Of crossing at all times without any
delay, would in 6 short time double the
trade Of Austin. How shall we get the
bridge? If private capitalists would build
one under proper charter, regulating the
tolls within reasonable limits, some would
prefer that way 20 any other Good bridge
property is usually more profitable than any
other. Perhaps our readers generally are
not aware that the bridge companies Of
Dallas and Waco have already realized
enough, OF nearly so, to pay the whole cost
of building the fine iron bridges across the
Trinity and Brszos. The profit onca toll
bridge, with The ordinary rate of tolls, is
very large a bridge across the Colorado
at The foot Of the Avenue viii, it is adj
mitted, cost greatly more than both the
bridges mentioned, but an investment of
$500, 600 in a bridge at Austin would not
only be safe but in the end exceedingly
profitable. 1t has been estimated by COM
petcnt engineer. one accustomed to the
building of bridges, that such bridge as
we require can be constructed for much
less than the amount we have specified,
but should the cost of a good bridge be
half million. it would still be a most prof
liable Investment :.
But The difficulty is that we have not the
surplus capital here to invest in bridge, at
least cur people say so. This capital must
come from abroad, and suppose it does not
come as soon as our needs demand, must we
go on for five OF ten years without bridget
We say no. If capitalists cannot be in
duced TO build Us a bridge for their own
profit as well as ours, we must get bridge
in some way. What serious objection. can
there be to the issue of $500, 600 bonds by
the county, bearing eight per cent. interest,
payable semi-annually, and the selling of
them, as many as needful, for the construc-
tion of bridget The people of Che county
would never have to be taxed to pay either
the Interest. or the principal of these bonds,
because the tolls of the bridge would be
ample always to meet the interest falling
due, and at the same time furnish sinking
fund for the ultimate redemption Of the
bonds, and then we should have free
bridge. AS iheprincipal and interest would
be lessened from time to time by the appli-
cation of the sinking fund, the tolls could
be lessened in proportion and at last free
bridge would be the result Again we ask,
what serious objection can beurged against
this plang We can see none, aud perhaps,
on the whole, this would be better than the
construction of bridge by private COM
pany, for then there would be no prospect
Of a free bridge. If the people of Travis
by their tolls pay for a bridge in time, why
should they not own it. Let our people
dnlv consider This matter