Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1877-04-13
FREE AT LASTI


met in Joint session in the Council
room in this place on Monday last, to take
action relative to securing a free bridge
between Perrysburg and South Toledo.
The forenoon was spent in an examination
Of the prescn, bridge and the locality Sc
lcctcd by Engineer SrRArroS, of Lucas
county, for new structure, should il be
thought best to build new bridge.
In the afternoon, the two Boards met at
tho Council room, when Commissioner
PIERCE, Of thus county, was called to the
Chair, and j. p. JoSEs, Auditor of Lucas
county, was chosen Secretary. Engineer
STRATToH made his report. His survey
and estimates we're based upon supposi-
ton that the proposed new bridge should
be built on line with Conant Street,
South Toledo. That street, carried across
the river, would strike the north bank just
above the present bridge and touch the
south bank little below the abutment Of
the railroad bridge. I lie erection Of a
bridge at that point would reader the CON
struction Of a road from the river road
near where the Junction Railroad grade
crosses said road, to the river on the south
side, and from the river to the canal on
the north side. This would require a
bridge about $50 in length or about 20 feet
longer than the present bridge. The esti
mated cost of new bridge and approach
es at the point named, not including right
Of way for approaches, wrs about S2l 900.
Commissioner DowL1NG, OF Lucas county,
opposed the construction of new bridge.
lie had given the subject much reflection,
and last winter when there was ice on the
river lie had gone and made measure
ment Of the stone in the piers and exam
incd the present structure thoroughly. lie
gave the figures showing that the purchase
Of the present bridge at $4,000, with So.
600 for repairs, making in reality $4,000
to be paid for it, would be cheaper by at
least $4,000, provided it should be ueces
sary to build new bridge at the end OF
five years, than to borrow money and build
4 new bridge now, besides saving the five
years wear and natural dely OF the new
structure and from $4,000 to $4,000 in
tolls to the people using the bridge
1t was shown that the present bridge pays
its owners, over and above expenses, about
$4,000 per year, nearly all of which has
been paid by the taxpayers Of Wood and
Lucas comtics-eitizens Of Wood county
paving from two-thirds to three tourths Of
said tolls.
Col NoRToN, of Lucas, also opposed
new bridge, and stated that reliable and
thoroughly competent parties, who had
made the necessary examinations, were
prepared to enter into n contract to place
the present bridge in complete repair, war
ranting it to last for ten years, for S2,1O0;
and in reply to questions, said he would he
willing to enter into bonds himself to do
the work in such manner, for the sum
named, rs would insure the bridge to last
ten years. We may state. in this connec-
tion, that many good Judge, believe that
the judicous expenditure OF $1,000 upon
the bridge will insure its usefulness for III
teen years, fire and food not destroyingit1
Commissioner NEWTON, of Wood coun-
ty, was in favor of new bridge, and in his
judgment new bridge would be most eco
nomical. lie did not estimate the present
at the value placed upon
it by Mr.. DowLING, and he thought an
open structure preferable to an enclosed
one. He thought that the difference in
the cost OF n new structure, as compared
with the price demanded for the old one,
made building decidedly preferable to buy
ing.
Commissioner PIERCE was decidedly in
favor of new bridge. lie could not see
the economy of paying two-thirds the cost
of a new structure for an old one. People
do not act in that manner when attending
to their private business. A farmer will
not pay such price for an old aud worn
out wagon, even though it may be repaired
50 as to admit Of its use for several years.
Mr., p. was not in favor OF placing the new
bridge on the line proposed by the Engin-
eer. He would not have it on a line with
Conant street. 1t could be built much
cheaper, and would serve the public better,
on line parallel with the present bridge,
and only few feet above it. He spoke
with considerable warmth, but said he was
not prepared to say, with Mr.. DowLINa,
that he must have the free bridge in his
way, or not have it at all.
Mr.. NEWTON had referred to the fact
that the stone piers under the present
bridge did not rest upon the river bottom
but upon cribbing, whereupon Col NORTON
remarked thatSom OF the best buildings
in Toledo, and her bridges, rested upon
piling, sawed off about two feet below low |
water mark. lie also referred to the fact |
that some of the cities OF the old world nre
built upon u similar Foundation, stating |
that submerged wood will last as long as |
stone.
After quite full interchange of views.
in which all expressed anxiety for a free |
bridge, the vote was taken on motion to |
build new bridge, which resulted yens 2.
nays 4-Messrs. PIERCE and NEWTON yot- |
ing for the new bridge and all of the 9th |
FRS against it. The next motion was that
he proposition of Mr. YOUNG to sell the
bridge and approaches, and the piers of the
'airoad bridge. for $4,000, be accented.
Upon this motion the roll was agaiu called.
when Messrs. DowLINe, NORTON, and ELY,
Of Lucas county, voted ave
Mr.. Ely explaining TINT he did 40 be-
ieying that the bridge should be free and
hat this was the best way to secure such n
Messrs. PIERCE, HOLES, and
NEWTON, Commissioners Of Wood county.
voted no; whereupon Mr., BOWLING moved
hat the joint Board adjourn sine die, but
Mr.. PIERCE, chairman, reminded the Board
hat he had not announced the result of |
he vote, and that while he did not believe |
n the purchase Of the bridge, he regarded |
i now as the best thing that could be done
md feeling that the people, who had 40
on3 been compelled TO not only nav foU |