West-Jersey pioneer., 1879-11-27
COUNTY ITEMS.
MILLVILLE.


and 3rd Pastors, local preachers, exhort-
ers, district stewards, and one class leader
and superintendent from each charge are
required to attend.
VIM. Dorsey, a colored resident of Bridge
ton, was arrested in Millville a few days
since for stealing. He made confession of a
preyious theft which had been charged upon
his flther.
Thomas Bareford has been arrested for
disorderly conduct at public entertainment
in Wilson's Hall.
vINELAND.
Mrs. Turner, who with her family of
young children left Vineland last Spring for
Kansas has returned. Her mother died re-
Gently. The recreant husband, E. M. Tur-
ner, has not put in an appearance, and his
whereabouts are unknown.
A Anumber of Vinelanders are at work on
the new railroad which is to run from New
field to Atlantic City.
Company X. sent 'team" to take part
in the recent shooting match at Edgewater.
They made several fine shots, and took the
company prize, one of Rogers statuettes,
entitled ssOne More Shot" The second
prize. fine silver watch, to the best marks
man, was won by Mr.. D. Doughty, who
scored % out of 25.
NEWPORT.
In looking over the columns of the
Bridgeton Daily, of Oct. 9th, l saw the
death of the Port Norris Bridge announced,
also it's burial at the Aims House in Decem-
ber. The Daily itself has died since, but
the bridge question is not dead and will not
be buried. The opposition to the bridge is
conceived in prejudice, false economy, and
local interests. Their arguments are art
full and crafty, and great effort is made
to impress the minds of taxpayers with
the idea that the bridge will cost from $780,
600 to 800, ,000 when they know that in
1878 it could have been built for $22, 900.
The bridge then estimated on was 600 feet
long. 16 feet wide, with solid masonry for
the pivot. The cost to the taxpayer would
be less than two mills on the dollar. The
people are willing to pay taxes for public
| improvements, in the upper portion of the
county, and if they will only consider what
a great improvement this bridge would be
they will not long hesitate concerning its
| erection. 1t would open up line of travel
from Cape May County extending up
through Cumberland County, and thus con-
meet the interests of the two counties The
increased value of the lands, not now util-
lied, would in very short time became val
liable, and pay back handsome revenue to
the county $4,000 has been spent in the
cities of Bridgeton and Millville for bridges
alone. To develop country the streams
must be bridged. Why not give us chance?
In 1878 the entire Board of Freeholders
met at Port Norris in reference to the bridge
question, and after spending an entire day
in examining location, &C., the matter was
referred to a committee whose duty it was
to further examine, and make report
at the next meeting Of the Board. The COM
mttee made survey, received proposals,
Der of that year reported unanimously in
favor of the bridge. A resolution was then
offered to build it at once, but it was lost,
| IA Freeholders voting in favor, and 16
against.
In 1879 similar committee was sent to
| Port Norris for the same purpose as that OF
| 1878. Mark the contrast. The committee
met at Port Norris on the Goth of August,
took dinner, went to the river, stood upon
its bank, looked across at the opposite side,
went back to a place near the hotel, sat
down under shady tree, and listened te
remarks and especially to those of repre-
sentative of a certain corporation who
claimed that it would be ruinous to his firm
to bridge the river at that point. Commit
tee then adjourned to meet at the Aims
House, Oct. 9th, and render a verdict.
What farce! In justice to the people OF
Cumberland County and as just repri
mand to that committee it is the duty Of
the Director to instruct that committee tc
report progress, perform their full duty,
and report at some future time. Then,
when in justice and good faith they make
up their verdict, the people will accept it
whether favorable or adverse.
The argument made by those opposed te
the bridge that the Cumberland and Maur-
ice River railroad is to be benefited by its
erection, is little thin. Suppose that roat
is benefited! What of it? More than {
thousand people are within few minutes
drive and many of them in sight of the car
at Port Norris who would cross over thu
bridge on their way to the county seat
Philadelphia and elsewhere. Their freigh
would also go over the road. What pertain
to the interest of the road certainly will b.
of interest to the inhabitants along it
route The railroad is in the interest 0
the people. Should the rolling stock b
taken off and the track removed the peopl
would then see what an advantage the roa'
is to them, and would appreciate it. Tn
road has not had the sympathy and encoul
agement it should have had. 1t has bee
run under embarrassing circumstances, an
at a loss to the company. Under its pres
ent able arrangement with proper support
the Cumberland and Maurice River roa
!, will be first-class in every respect.
D. L. C.
A surprise party of relatives and friend
assembled at the residence of Mr.. job
Clark few days since, to celebrate bot
the birth md wedding day of the abov
named gentleman. The party came SO sue
denly that the lady Of the house was great
: embarrassed as to what she should get fo
her guests to eat. She deemed herself fol
3 tunate that her chickens were safe in th
coop, and Unnecessary she could serve up fey
in short order. Fortunately, however, ht
fowls were not needed, for the visitors cam
. provided with an abundance of eatables.-