The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1888-02-17
Waterloo Bridge.
wArrRLoo, Feb. 18th, 1883

| WATERLOO, Feb. 18th, 1855.
Eds. Democrat !:
feel that now Isa good time TO talk up
the bridge question. | am very much op.
posed to any kind Of sectional legislation or
sectional affairs entering into or controlling
the affairs OF our County Court, feel that
the people or taxpayers represent the citI.
zens OF our great country, hence conclude
that many Of them are directly interested In
bridge at Waterloo, thercferc II many Of
them arc interested here, 70 prevent section.
al affairs influencing our County Court It
stands to reason that other bridges have been
built, which was OF direct interest TO tax
payers Of that part of tho country In which
such bridges were built. but the taxpayers
here at Waterloo helped to foot the bills
We have waited patiently for return Of
benefit, and to show the public that We de-
serge bridge at this place Let the following
facts be considered.
Ist. There is the whole Of the Hamilton
Greek country representing large tract of
rich farming land and much larger area of
grazing land, that would be directly bene-
fitted by this bridge,securing to the people a
sure outlet at all seasons Of the year. A
benefit they now possess in very limited
degree.
and. There Is the Medieval Greek coun-
try quite as large as the Hamilton Creek
with the same general interests and COM
paratively no outlet during winter except
to Sweet Home, and bridge at Waterloo
would give them an easy outlet at any time.
Now these are the special features, but there
are general features as well. Waterloo lies
directly on the road from Scio across the.
mountains. This feature Is worthy OF atten-
ton. The Forks of the Santiam represents
a very large part Of the stock-raising por-
ton Of Linn county, and this outlet would
be important to them In general way.
3rd. The expenses necessary to build q
bridge-and good one too, viii. be com,
paratively small, and of only momentaFy
importance when we consider It In a fnan-
cial point of view, because just as soon as the |
bridge spans the river here 1t Is a factor to |
equalize taxation. The open land lying /
over on Hamilton and McDowal Creeks I'M |
der the isolated and hemmed condition Is /
only valued justly so at one half It's |
real value, comparatively 50, then, should
our County Court want this bridge, 1t Is
plainly evident that II would prove lasting
benefit to land owners, In the Forks Of the /
Santiam, besides It would be success fnan-
cially to the country tlarge as a tax-paying
Or producing element. Just as was the case
In the case Of the bridge built on the North
Santiam at Green's ferry, land rose In price
so rapidly in the vicinity that there was
II T. |
Of the Santiam that was assessed from ST.. 20
70 So. 50 an acre higher, the first year after
.he completion of the bridge and this was
,nly the starting in the Improvement and
such is no more than probable in our case
nere, the only difference is oar bridge here
will probably only cost one,third what the
jefferson bridge did, while the area bene-
tilted will be twice as large here as there.
In the past year we preseRted TO the Coun.
y Court the names of near 500 Taxpayers
.s petitioners asking for this Dridge-but our
officials no doubt felt that 1t would be better
o build the Mehama bridge, which was pos
IDLY true. We, however feel that our turn
.omes now, and we shall urge our rights to
Ittention. Our claims are Just, and com.
non justice is with us to demand that we
'btain hearing,and that attention be called
irectly to the true state of affairs, and this
J the prime object of this article.
Our reasons for deserving a bridge are
artially stated above, and by the kind per-
mission of the Editors Of this paper we will
rom time to time present other and more
orcible ones, and we solicit the aid of other
who are interested directly or
We also desire adverse criticism !
or the simple reason that we can thus get
he public attention called to this p5int as !
We feel that there is a more tangible reason |
Or bridge here than many are aware of. ,
Yours Truly,
A WATERLOO BRIDGE ADVOCATE.