The Charlotte Democrat., 1891-10-02
THE GATAWBA BRIDGE

permanent prosperity of Charlotte, is in
the suggestion of Mr.. S. Witlkowsky be-
fore the Chamber of Commerce to build
three or more bridges across the Ca.
tawba River.
Charlotte, from its central location, its
superior railroad facilities, the inaugura.
tion of the number and diversity of it's
manufacturing enterprises, it's abundant
banking capital, the push and energy of
its merchants, and it's healthfulness, can
and will, with little skillful and supe-
rior management properly directed on
the part of her people, be made the busi-
ness and commercial centre of very
large and valuable inland trade that is
now and for many years past has been
directed through other channels to other
points.
The opportunity of securing to her
permanently the great bulk of the trade
Of these counties in North and South
Carolina proposed TO he placed in easy
communication with her market, is now
given.
Will Charlotte take advantage of this
great opportunity and lay broad and
deep the foundation of a trade of which
she can not hereafter be deprived, and on
the basis of which her future prosperity,
hoped for and wished for by her most en-
thusiastic friends, will in the near future
be realized?
AS in the lives and affairs of individuals,
50 in the lives and affairs of cities, oppor-
tunities are offered which, if made avail
able, will give the desired reward, but if
neglected will be lost without perhaps,
another return.
With the building of these bridges, and
the perfecting of a system of macada.
mized roads to each, the valuable and va
ried products Of counties made directly
accessible, as we'll as of others further
West, will be poured into the lap of Char
lotte. The location and her facilities of
trade and transportation, with the advan-
tages of safe, easy and expeditions wagon
travel from the agricultural districts,
will make her the great entre-pot for this
class OF trade, West and South, and city
of great and increasing possibilities.
The farmers Of this section will find
with good roads and safe bridges the
marketing of their products but period
Of rest and holiday enjoyment; how rail-
road freights and railroad fare for himself
and family will all be permanently saved
to him, and he can we'll afford to have
good wagons and teams for marketing
his products; and comfortable carriages
for the convenience of himselfand family.
He is not taxed with railroad freight
charges every time he wishes to send
| few bales of cotton or a few bushels OF
grain to market, nor is he taxed with
railroad fare for himself and family when
he wishes to visit the markets for the
purpose of making sales Of his farm pro-
ducts or purchases for domestic and
farming purposes. He can come and 60
as it suits his convenience, and the good
roads and safe bridges are always ready
to receive him and his freights without
freight bills or other charges. His cost
of marketing would add nothing to the
expenses of his farm, it is properly o
part of the machinery of his farming op
Grafton, and is generally done at a season
of the year when his team can best be
spared. The worry of teams and the
wear and tear of wagons on good roads
would be less than on the farm for the
same period of time. This consideration
added to the increased amount of tonnage
per trip, and the expedition with which
these market journeys can be made
makes it of the greatest Importance tc
the farmers of the county to have safe
bridges and good roads to market, Time
and money is saved, while the advantage
Of good and reliable market increases
the price and adds to permanent value te
the farming lands tributary to such 8
market. The benefits foreshadowed in
the article will by no means be confined
to Charlotte and the people of Mecklen
burg county residing on or in short and
|
the advantages of reliable market made
so as trade centre for every section
tributary will be participated in by al
the people of this county, as we'll as thos'
from other counties trading to this point
The Importance of this movement to ou
town and county, it is suggested, shoult
be made subject Of consideration BY
our Board of County Commissioners a
their next meeting, and in conjunction
with the city authorities and Chambe
of Commerce such action taken as viii
insure an early commencement and con
struction of the proposed bridge. Th
most available points of tapping the ricl
and productive section of our neighbor
E ing counties West and South of the rim
to render effective the purposes contem
plated should be we'll considered and ju
diciously selected. This, however, Wi
be the work of committee for the pul
pose.
Let us have the bridges, good bridges