Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1892-03-25

planned to make large expenditures in
the direction of improving and beautify-
ing the place and was emphatically of
the opinion that so prominent feature
as this central bridge should be of a
character to correspond with its sur
roundings, Accordingly a number of
citizens set out to ascertain what could
be done. Arrangements were first made
with the bridge company so that the
contract for the iron bridge could be
cancelled, without cost to the town or to
individuals, should the town see fit so to
vote when met. Then tomorrow s
meeting was called. This, in brief, is
the situation; though perhaps it should
be added that Mr.. Battell has now
offered besides the original $4,000, to pay
one-half the cost of stone bridge should
the total cost exceed $4,000.
There are several aspects of the case
which deserve TO be considered. The
first that will naturally suggest itself is
the financial. The iron bridge, it will be
remembered, was to cost somewhere near
$4,000, certainly not less. lnvestiga-
tions made by those interested during
the past few days tend to show that a
first-class stone bridge can be construct
ed for less than $4,000, possibly for as
little as $4,000. But, assuming that the
cost will be Sl5,000 the cost to the town
will be but S12 900, or $1,000 more than
an iron bridge. The interest on the diff
ference, at FIVE per cent, is 5000, suppos-
ing that difference to be $1,000, which is
undoubtedly an overestimate. Now it
would admittedly require an expenditure
of at least 500 a year to keep an iron
bridge planked and painted, while stone
bridge needs no more repairs than an
equal extent of ordinary roadway with a
solid foundation, or, practically, none
so that the real difference between the
two, granting that the iron bridge would
never wear out, which isn't true, figures
down to but 800 year. But, to offset
this, there will be the taxes on the block
which MIR. Battell intends to put up. He
is sure to get from $4,000 to $50, 900 in
to it and before it is done may spend
$50, 600; anyhow the erection of the
block will add to the grand list of the
town at the lowest calculation S25 900
This means, at the present rate of tax.
alton is much more liable to increase
than to diminish but the $500, even, i,
three times the annual outlay the tOwr
would make by reason of having stone
bridge rather than an iron one. And il
should be borne in mind that whatever
Mr.. Battel invests in the block is cleal
addition to the wealth of the place, fol
the money which will go into it is no
here now and never will be here till it i;
laid out in that direction. 1t is there
fore difficult to see how the town vii
suffer financially, or, rather, why it vii
not receive Il clean financial consideration
for choosing stone instead of iron.
But this is only one of several phase
of the question. Much might be sale
for stone bridge as an ornament to tn,
town and standing advertisement to al
Corners of the substantial quality of it
citizens. 1t could also be contcnded tha
it is poor policy for this town or for any
town to discourage publlc-sprited mel
of means who wish to do good thins
for it. At any rate, it is to be hoped tha
the question Will receive, as it merits
candid, careful thought and discussion
and that when the time comes to decid,
it the usual good sense of Middlebury
voters will prevail.