Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1888-01-26
THE BRIDGE QUESTION.
Time for oitiz.ps to Appear Personally or
the Scene OF Action.

the Scene OF Action.
To the L i!tor of the Gazette.
am gratified to see a dignifed and in
telligent discussion Of the bridge ques-
ton In the columns of THE GAZETTE by
certain Of our leading citizens. And it
speaks well for our people that In this
matter the rules OF digEided discussion
have only been violated in q single in
stance. However, Il is nc more than
could be expected, taking into considera-
ton the extent and diversity of eur popn-
lation, 10 find only one man by whose
appearance OF the stsge the whole audi
ance becomes disguised. This party
being cogniz2nt Of his deformity,
concesls himself IN the CLOAK
of ga Citizen" and plays the part Of q
jim Crow Lawyer trying to humbug &
Jury in the court Of country 'sqnire.
In his first article he assaiis Captain Dag
gett for lack of enterprise, and refers to
the gigantic structures OF e. e. Maddox
in the Third ward es argument in favor
of the bridge scheme. The man who
Yeuld undertake the JOB of making the
occupants Of substantial buildings but mp
by E B. Daggett Zone Of which cost over
S5aza6eJ believe that he hsd done
nothing in the way OF improve
ments, and that the immense
structures of r. E. Maddox lowered
maiesticslly when Colonel Bob Maddox
has lust broke dirt in the Third Ward
should be awarded the 'raobls loot" by
the projectors of the cooperative bridge
enterprise. In his communication to
THE GAZETTE of the 26th inst, he makes
the startling announcement OF multitud-
inous meeting at Daggett hall. The peo-
pie OF the Third ward wonder where they
came from. By conyersing with reliable
citizens present at the meeting and Fad
Captain Daggett's statement IS to the ex-
tent and makeup of the meeting correct
and find his statements are not doubted
by any one save the original character
who signs himself "a Citizen" and If the
fbffdge scheme Is solelysdependent on
| him the bridge will certainly be
built. At the same time in the Language OF
! Father Ryan, 'I sometimes wonder why
| it's So" the gentleman, with great pre-
| tensions of earnestness, asks why these
present st the meeting who were op-
posed to the bridge did not say so. This
| is very clear to s man OF reason, and VINO
4saesls in facts, but incomprehenslble Of
I course to man whose mind towers above
practical things IL sphere OF wonderful
originality. The reason Is simply this
Late in the evening, by the merest accl-
dent, they heard that some kind OF meet
Ing was TO be held in the hall and through
curiosity went to the meeting, where
tthey found the projectors Of the bridge
4enterprise and their humble followers
| in all things humane and charitable RON
the Other wards agitating the bridge ques
ton. They had seen no posters scatter
ed In the Third ward, and, seeing tina
those who harangued the meeting were
/ Dersons personally interested Ia th'
I movement, they therefore Ignored TIT
meeting and disowned it IS q Third war(
meeting, hence took no part In its action
Now, as to Mr.. DAggett's record OF
lasxation referred to by the gentleman
4 with preterdedj relish. His position OF
that question, IS expressed by himself II
the Council and in the columns OF the
Journals, has no uncertain sound. He Is
ynrs increased taxation II necessary TO
/ improvements, in which the city stand
greatly In need. and such as ar
of almost Indispensable necessity. HI
has been strong advocate OF improving
our system Of waterWOrks, and increes
n ing and extending our watsr supply, Civ
ing the people abundant supply for fire
culinary and other purposes. thereb.
beneatIng the whole people and increas
Il ing the revenue Of the city. Ever sine
he has been a member OF the Council b
has been contending for the extension @
the sewers for the protection OF the puo
lie health, and has advocated grading an
, grsveling the streets. Mr.. Dagget'
/ knowing the financial condition OF tn
city, sees clearly that 1t is beyond tn
power of the city to accom-
plish these objects CT pressin
necessity and furnish the amount G
money required for the bridge construc
ton. 1t must be apparent that one @
the other of these enterprises must .
deferred. Then say with Captain Dag
} gett, give rs sewer extension, amp
water supply and conveniences, Wit
J graded and grayeled streets, and defe
the bridge until the city gets able
grapple with enterprises OF secondary IN
portance.
"Cisizsn" says: "Mr. Daggett does NJ