The Tipton advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa) 1856-1962, 1874-09-24

An Opinion from the Other Side
Oftlse County.

EpifoR ADvERrISER.-.Sa, Your
issue Of the 18th inst, is before us,
and in looking it over we find a stout
article devoted to the interest Of the
Cedar river bridge. And now, sir,
presuming to know somewhat of the
wants of that part of our county ly-
ing west of the river, we propose, by
your permission, to add few re-
maks as supplementary to your article,
and, at the same time give a reason
for the vote we intend to cast con-
corning that matter.
But before doing SO allow us to re-
mark that we are acquainted with
the character of Cedar river, having
been many times, and in many differ
ent places upon its banks, seen its
broad channels, its sandy bottom,
strong current, high bluffs, and its
broad and sandy fats as well, many
of which are liable to an overflow at
every rise of the river. Hence we
consider ourselves able to form some
idea of the necessary expense OF build
ing bridge over such river, and
the great risk incurred whenever such
a bridge is built.
And yet, we are in favor of build
ing such bridge, and shall give our
vote accordingly. First, because we
know that those living on the west
side Of the river greatly desire tina,
such bridge should be built, and
we are confident that il we were re-
siding among them we should desire
it also. Hence we conceive that in
granting them the bridge, SO far as
our means are concerned. we are only
fulfilling the royal law: DO unto
others as We would that others should
do to YOU
! But this is not I'VE shall vote for
the bridge. in the second place, be-
cause we know that the business of
the county is often, and at all times,
liable to be greatly interrupted be-
cause of the want of such passage
way over that stream. True, there
are ferries at different points along the
river that strive to supply the place
of bridge or bridges, wherever
they are, but IL is patent to all who
are acquainted with the rivers Of
Iowa, that ferries are not to be de-
pended upon that there are times,
spring and fall, to say nothing OF
openings in winter,and extreme fresh
cts and high winds in summer, when
they even cannot pass without danger
of life and great risk of property land
further, that whenever such an event
occurs, at whatever time it may be, all
business from either side OF the river
to the other.is for the time being sus-
pended, and must remain so until in
autumn, or early winter, nature has
completed her work and made a
bridge strong enough for public use
in spring until that bridge, chafed
and worn by the flow of water be-
meath, and weakened by the power
of the sun above, is broken up and
borne away, and in the summer until
the wind has subsidized. and the ferry
man feels assured that he can land
his passengers in safety on the other
side. At such times all can see that
both public ami private interests
must suffer in greater or less de-
gree; that public travel must cease.
and that our court. if in session, to
say nothing of the interests of plain
titfs and defendants. must be DELAYED
because of the non-arrival of the
Judge, or absence of the last iurvman
necessary before proceeding to bust
ness. For all such evils. Interrupt
,ion>, dangers and annovances. a
bridge is the remedy and the only
remedy.
But we are in favor of the bridge
because, as county, we are abuud
antly able to have such a bridge
True. there are times in the hstor,
of county, the same as in that o
individuals, when large expenditure
should be incurred with extreme eau
ton, and no investment made unles
absolutely required for the genera
good, but it is equal true that ther,
are other times when such caution
either in the use OF private or publ
means, is not so necessary; wher
money can be used freely, when i'm
provements can be made and expen
ditures incurred without danger o
embarrassment in carrying FORWARD
other, perhaps, more needed improve
menis. That time, to our county. w,
feel assured is fully come. We know
that our farms are now open, tina
MANY of them are in an advanced
state of improvement, and that, witt
scarcely an exception, their broat
acres are throughout the county pro
ducing an annual income almost,
not quite, equal to that of any count,
in the State. With such farms. W,
know too that the aggregate valua
) ton of the county must be large, W,
do not know how large bat are con
/ tident that it reaches into the millions
: and if so the full percentage for build
, ing such bridge will not be lara,
even though it should cost the full
: sum Of the twenty-five thousand es
) timated by the Board. And this sum
with such an annual income as we
have alluded to, we are confident cal
, be easily raised, especially since b,
the action of the Board lis full pay
ment is to be extended through Sc
{ ries of years, in no one of which shall
) tax of more than two and hal
, mills on dollar be raised. Hence I,
/ individuals such tax will be ligh
aud easily borne, which in the aggre
gate it will be ample to build a
bridge sufficient for all needful pur
purposes. Hence we say, let the
bridge be built-we vote for it.
Once more, we vote for the bridge
because we believe it is necessary in