The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1875-04-30
nraawe Across ne s.n1lan 81 I.eb.ne..


We have from time to time during our
residence In this county, through the
columns Of the REGISTER. advocated the
building of q bridge across the Santiam at
Lebanon, or at any more feasible point.
If such there be, for the accommodation of
the people residing In the forks of the
Santiam. We have shown that one of the
richest and most productive districts in the
county, in whichreside nearly or quite one
third Of our population. are practically shut
on from the county-seat and the balance of
the county by this barrier, the Santiam
river, during portion of the year. On
several different occasions petitions, largely
signed by prominent citizens, not only resi-
dents of the Forks, but of other portions of
the county, have been presented to our
HOnoFable Commissioners, asking that
suitable bridge be built across the SaDtiam
pay portion of the cost Of such bridge.
As it is announced that the county is now
entirely tree from debt, more anspicious
occasion for presenting and urging the
claims of the people in the Forks
in this behalf could not be selected.
County Court convenes next week. and the
friends of the enterprise should use all the
intervening time in fortifying and strength
ening their petition. and in securing the
fullest data to lay before that honorable
body, to the end that they may have fair
and impartial hearing and secure favorable
ln<1v.-i<Jaraf5r., aFkLo ervhioce
The citizens Immediately interested GER
tainly have exhibited a commeEdable
spirit in proffering contributions of q, ,OO0
OF $5, 600 toward work which not only
| will prove Immediately beneficial, but will
increase in value from year to year to that
whole section of country as well as to the
general interest and benefit of the citizens
of the whole county. After thorough
canvass OF the matter, it seems to US thai
no well founded objection can be urged
against the county,s paying at least one
half the cost of a so much needed public
| work.
The contemplated bridge viii be $50 fee
from one abutment to the other, with ons
pier in the center. One abutment 1
already constructed by nature. decreasing
the cost of the bridge, which, upon careful
estimate, will not exceed $1,000. We dc
not believe that any serious or formidable
opposition viii be offered against an enter
prise of such vital importance to the in
terests of the people of the Forks of tn.
Santiam. and affecting more or less tn,
general interests of our whole people. a
does the building Of such bridge. Wher
all the facts are taken into consideration
no reasonable objection can be urged to tn,
appropriation by the county of the neces
sary funds to build the bridge. The peepl,
directly Interested propose to donate hal
the cash necessary to bs,ild the bridge, and
they viii also nay their proportion of tn,
tax assessed upon property throughout tn
county to raise the balance. Can anythin:
be more just or fairer on their part? Th,
building of the bridge win prove 1argel,
beneficial to this city, as all the trad
hitherto driven to Marion county becaus,
of the difficulty experienced in crossing TIN
Santiam, viii then come here