Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1889-03-27
JOHNNIE
March 22nd, '89.

Juniata county has many free
bridges built at the expense of the
property holders The bridges that
are free are in such places that are
necessary for the public good, but IN
such thinly settled districts that 1t
will not pay company or corporation
| to build and keep up bridges. 1t is
| principle of American government
that town q township or county
ought never to engage in any bust
ness where the business may be done
bv individuals. That Is why rail
roads, telegraphs and so forth, and
bridges where they will pay private
parties are left to the building Of
companies. The bridges in the
townships of Juniata viii not pay for
companies to keep up, therefore 1t Is
the duty of the state of the county of
Juniata to keep open the highway
and give the people bridges, but
:, when 1T comes to the roads that
center at the river fordinGs or cross
. ings there it is different, there com
panies are willing to step IN and
provide the highway for all who may
! have business to cross 1t will be q
great wrong to inflict the greater
part of a hundred thousand debt on
( the people of Juniata Just to make
D the bridges free so that a few men
: who walk from one side to the other
l do not need to pay, Just because some
e numbering and iron ore interests
E would be more profitable to the mel
e engaged IN the business 1hey
o want the public to pay for their rlvel
# TRANSPORTATION. Free bridges across
Il tine river would not add 10 the Dusl
q ness. Business IL not increased un
L less the business add a population
and low free bridges would increas
n producing population has not beel
)" explained. Because some lntereste'
individual snaked bill through tn
. Legislature providing for the cres
' ton of free river bridges Is no argr
y ment in favor of making bridges FIRE
> at the expense of the general publ
:, when a company will give transports
u ton to every one who has business
10 cross the stream or who desires
y cross. Harrisburg, Williamspor
T. Willkesbarre, three of the most III
% portsnt towns in the State Of Penn
ne svlvania have toll bridges and tt
" man who proposes to make them fire
= = at the public expense is looked upo
!. y as public enemy. The Brookly
Z bridge, is not free bridge and or
~ IN would suppose that if any brids
n in America might be free 1t would
10 BROOKLYN bridge, but New York an
p BROOKLYN knew full well that the Ia
III PAYERS would not stand such ple'
of business when company wouI
engage in the work and furnish
as- highway to all who had business or
oy desire to use it. When l want
n1 cross the bridge at your town don
In. begrudge the sum the brld:
company asks of me for the use of Il
bridge. and don't want to be
miserly as to ask the tax payers
the county to pay for my traveh1
over the bridge. There Is repo
that a fund of five hundred dollars
H. 70 be raised to be paid to sor
parties to free the river bridges.
don't know, whether that Is tn
oh- and I don't know, who is meant
iue receive the five hundred dollars, b
ioi it Will be well enough to look II
: the matter. How will it do to Ike
looking at the grand Jury when
= meets! Perhaps it is intended
send jury fxer among them
J. disguise. / ask YOU to publish t
communication in the interest of
D. tax PAYERS who have convene
: ~ HIGHWAY proyided over the river
'ins companies who charge moder
toll rates
non COUNTR1MAN