Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1876-05-26
(From .he Fremont Journal.
THAT BRIDGE AGAIN.
MAJOR wooD,s EXPLANATION

Fremont, and that my influence against the
measure was the principal cause Of the de-
feat Of the appropriation, and presume to
hold me guilty until have proved myself
innocent, and state that for such opposition
ought to. be read out Of the Republican
party; also, that you have repeatedly called
ON me tor an explanation. The only time
that saw you in your Office, I stated TO
you that had never opposed the appro
priation, but had constantly supported the
measure. | always mean what say. II
| know myself | never mis-state facts on
any subject. This appears To be year Of
slander against every man in high or low
position, aud according to your version OF
the subject the old rule of law and justice
has been reversed, and a man is considered
guilty until he proves himself innocent
Now, Mr.. Editor, If you have believed that
was opposed to the appropri9t tion, why
single me out from among majority of
the Legislature, and by proper inference
a majority of the people of the State, and
say that ought to be read out of the party,
when the sentiments of n majority of both
of the political parties Of the State lin the
different votes that have been had on the
subject in the legislature are an index are
opposed to the measured In fact do not
believe u majority of the people of San
dusky county take any interest in the mat
ter. Neither do 1 think that there are ten
men in Woodville township, who are in
| favor OF the measure. | have been CEN
sured by several prominent men of both
political parties in WOodville for using my
influence in favor Of the Fremont bridge,
claiming at the same time that they stood
in more need of new bridge than did
| Fremont. | have heard A. l.. Backus, who
il practical engineer, say that the bridge
at Fremont was good Tor 20 or 25 years il
properly taken care of. Col. Blair, of
Zanesville, practical man and an engin-
eer of the National road for several years,
said to me that it was the second best wooden
structure in the State, and that it had the
best timber in it that he ever saw in any
structure. This much Interference to public
opinion in regard to the bridge, as have
heard it expressed In conversation with
confirmed friends of a new bridge, | may
have expressed my private opinion in re-
gard TO the vitality OF the old bridge, but
there is no man living or dead who has
had the scratch of pen or who has ever
heard me say one word against an appro-
priation for a new bridge at Fremont. On
the contrary, | presume | have expended
more time and money in working for an
State, outside of Fremont. Ihave expeRd-
ed in Columbus not less than three or four
days every winter for the last FIVE years
with the necC ssary accompanying expenses,
working Tor the measure. 1t is more than
any man in Fremont has done, excepting
General Buckland. In fact | believe l
have expended more time and money than
all Fremont combined, excepting General
Buckland, working for their pet measure
and it has been seen what credit have re.
; ceived for it. While have been in Column
bus working for their bridge, certain few
, designing men in Fremont have been work.
ing up conspiracy against me because
happened to stand between them and their
= interests, cooking up false representations o.
facts especially touching the sensitive nerve
, of Fremont, the old bridge, with false rep
reservations and garbled facts, for the pur
pose of injuring me before the people ol
y Fremont. Although not citizen of Ere
= mont, | had various reasons for working
9 for a new BRIDGE first, because Fremon
wanted it and was very sensitive in regarc
to the subject second, 1 was Superintend
1 ent of the road and had a personal inter
g est in its welfare. The old bridge bein,
an expensive structure to keep up, costinl
$270 per year for insurance and heav,
i outlay for replanking every year, as tn
= planks are placed at right angles with th'
a bridge causing them 10 wear out thre
times as fast as planks laid diagonally, tn
travelling public obiecting To any chang
e of position because it would destroy til
o foothold of teams in the winter when ther
V was sleighing and no snow inside. A ne'
:, structure would obviate this expense an,
p" leave the money thus expended for repair
on the road, amounting to the interest o
a large part of the expense OF new struC
IS ture. ID. L. June, Gen. Buckland, Charlie
n Tilotson, Ira Smith, and every man in Ere
r mont who knows anything about it, ar
d cognizant of the fact and know til at hav
y always been identified with their interei
s for new bridge. With all of these fact
=. known by several of the prominent men
Fremont, am the only man who has bee
u singled out to hurl slander at because
e happened to receive the appointment O
h. Superintendent, instead of some man i
:. Fremont. General Buckland was in fave
of Ira Smith and used nothing but hoI
y, orable means to secure his appointment; Il
q had perfect right to do 81 and have n
N exceptions to take. The Generals know
IA high character is gtlara ltee against hi
doing an injustice to any man knowingl,
u ID. L. June wanted his son appointed an
lie have been informed by Ira Smith, C. Ii
to olson and others, that lie went back ON Smit
for that purpose. The only time that IspOl
es to Mr. Thatcher on the subject before IN
II appointment was once in Cleveland
es remarked to him that | was not going I
e. scramble for the position, that If he sa
proper TO appoint me | should receiN
it as a compliment; | saidto him that whe
J he went to Columbus to make his appoint
~ ~ ment that if he found any other man whOr
- he would prefer, to appoint him and that
would not stand in the way nor think an
~ less OF him. The result was that all til
10 old officers we're reappointed, includii
myself since which time there has been
IS. local effort made to injure me morally an
IT, officially as has been limited to bluff me O
10 the road Now, Mr.. Editor, do you thin
er this abusing and falsely representing I'll
n sentiments and actions OF men who hay
til stood by Fremont in support of a ne
he bridge will assist them in the future in 3
ds curing their desired object. Why not n
m tack Mr.. Ullery, Peter Hitchcock and man
<e other Republican members of the Legisli
z. ture who worked against the appropriation
sd When | approached Mr. Ullery last wnt,
A urging him TO vote for the bill he refuse
{" to vote for il or tor any other measures
d, the kind and vet he appears TO be populi
s, at home and in the State, while til
~ men who worked for the bill r
of ceive the anathemas of Fremont if the
happen to live outside of the city. Yo
are not giving Mr.. Inman the credit th'
- he deserves As a local measure every r.
" publican should give him full credit for h
- efforts in trying to secure his cherished o.
~ ject. Had he been properly supporte
~ ~ from Fremont with heavy delegation
W. W. men with money in combating populi
W. sentiment on this subject his chances OF su
IL /, cess would have been much better. Yo
i, say you have frequently called on me Il
~ an explanation. Here it is, never ha'
., supposed nor do now bolieve that any
~ the parties from whom you have receive
~ your information in regard to my actor
~ as to the bridge ever supposed that l o.
4, posed the appropriation. 1t was part
- :. the conspiracy. may have more TO 81
40 hereafter and some developments to put
" | nrint If necessary II L. Wo0D