The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1879-08-14
r,,o xyatcree Bridge AGaiu.

Attic risk of being blown UP with
nitroglycerinc, or tomahawked' we 's''n .
venture upon the absorbing subject OF
the Free Bridge. The object OF 'n'S
discussion originally, as it is noV' was
not to make any reflections upon any
one, but to draw out what light we
could upon a matter which for long
Tim, had been vexed question with
our pcople. If we criticised harsn'y
the official conduct of any one, we claim
that VIC had the right to do so, proVld-
.d We fortified this criticism with the
immovable pillars of truth, and this We
have done, and it is what we propose TO
oont;nne to do-the assertions OF other
n,rt;es to the contrary Notwithstanding
Occupying, as VIC do. the position OF
nublio servants, and being SO often
asked about this structure-Whas was
;ts status, what were we to look tor,
and when would it ever be paid for
we would have been quite recreaut to
the duty Of newspaper rece'V-
ing public patronage, if our lips were
sealed and our pen quiet. We have
therefore t;ss=% %s-upo 1.4s 49, Is2
,,,esent somelfucts now which from time
70 time will be followed with others
equally interesting, and if we tall IN
throwing open to the public exactly
how all things stand in this matter, then
It will be because our honest efforts haVe
baen thvarted and not because we
have failed to DO our best.
First We know that the act OF the
Legislature authorized the construction
of this bridge, and empowered the COM
missioners 20 raise $4,000 te erect the
same. Now we know further, that
$40 s1O15 has already been collected
(,bis is the amount reported BY the
treasurer in his statement to the clerk
Of tho court as corrcct) from the fax
payers Of this county and paid over to
the treasurer Of tie bridge commission,
and it is but right and proper that we
should know exactly what rcmain'ng
balance is still due. Where the impro'
priety? Again, it is equally proper
that we should know exactly what
bonds, notes, etc, are outstanding; and
even further than that-to know, II
notes arc out. what rate Of Interest they
are drawing. live stand still and no.
ching is saia or done, how much longer
would the good people of this county
be taxed for this already overpald
bridge? is entirely Legitimate that
the taxpayers should ask these ques'
tions, and it is equally the duty OF the
eustodians Of her funds to answer. No
hypothetical answer will do. Facts
and figures are what we desire, and
what we must have.
Tn the Kershaw Gazette Of last week
appeared an article which accused us OF
MANY misstatemcnts, but does not pro-
duce any evidence, other than Mr.
Shannon's mere say 50. to prove that
they are false.
lie asserts that our report OF the
financial condition Of the commission
is entirely incorrect. We can only say
that the figures arc correct copy OF
the statement filed by the treasurer IN
the clerks office as true and correct
statement of the commission.
He has said that not a bond has been
sold, Ifthis is true, how is it that we
Gee in the trcasurer's statement where
interest is being paid upon numerous
bonds that arc held by different people?
For instance, We see where on July 10,
1879, Baum Bros. themselves drew $50
interest on bonds No, q, 50 and IL.
Do they pay interest on bonds given as
collateral, as we'll as paying Interest on
the money borrowed on them? lfso, it
is queer proceeding, and ought to be