The record-union., 1893-10-21
The NEW BRIDGE.
Sensible Remarks in a Woodland
Newspaper
Reasons Why the Supervisors of Both
Counties Should Assist in It's
Construction.

[From the Woodland Democrat. Oct. 1sth.1
at the next regular meeting of the
Board of Supervisors the application of
tie railroad company for franchise on
Harriet street, in Washington, will come
up for final action. The object in procur-
ing such a franchise Is to enable the COM
pany to build a new bridge, and, owing
to changes in the channel since the old
bridge was constructed, new site is alb
solutely essential to the construction of
permanent structure.
We may also add that a new bridge is
an imperative demand, since the present
structure is wholly incapacitated to per-
form the service now incident to the
heavy and Increasing travel between
Yolo and Sacramento Counties. It is a
well-known fact that it is an old and prac-
tically dilapidated structure and main
tanned very much upon the principle of
an old and brOken-down relic of bygone
times, for the railroad company is con-
stant1y obliged to keep up a series of
patchwork in order to make the structure
stand up to its work.
At best it is practically worth mans
life to drive over the bridge on account of
the direct contact incurred with loco
motives and trains. A Well-knOWn
farmer drove a team Of spirited horses
into Sacramento with a lode of produce,
two weeks ago Thursday. On reaching
the end of the bridge he crossed one track
but was suddenly obliged to check his
team because of locomotive crossing on
another track in front OF him; while
waiting for that locomotive to get out of
the way, another approached from the
side, and a third quietly made its appear
ance behind him. 1t at once became
question as to whether his team would
run into one of the engines in front Of
him, or back into the one in the rear.
Fortunately, after considerable ma
neuvering, he managed TO escape without
injury to himself or team. This is only
one of the many cases constantly occur
ring on account of the danger to which
teamsters and animals are exposed.
Anyone who win take the trouble to
examine the present structure will not
deny that new bridge will soon be an
absolute necessity. Conceding this to be
true it is Of the highest importance, in
the matter of public economy as well as
public convenience and safety, that the
Supervisors of both Sacramento and
Yolo Counties should encourage the
building of an overhead structure, such
as will put teams wholly Independent OF
railroad traffic, remove all fear of acci-
dent and open the way for closer and
more extended relations between \ OlO
and Sacramento and other counties that
naturally do business over the Sacra
mento River.
The company proposed to put up an
iron bridge, and such a structure will last
for all time. TO join with it in the con
structioh of an overhead bridge is sim
pie business proposition that ought to
commend itself to the good judgment of
every taxpayer as not only in the line of
public improvement but Ia the line of
public economy.
The Supervisors should not give this
encouragement without guarding it with
such conditions as will secure to the
county the best possible benefits to be de-
rived from such an enterprise. 1t should
be nominated in the bond that the COM
pany must maintain the bridge for all
time without any expense to the county,
and no precaution that is necessary to
protect the rights OF the taxpayers should
be neglected.
The board has been very cautious and
prudent in the consideration of this
question and such action is to be COM
Inended, but we have heard of no reason
why the franchise should not be granted
and we do not believe that any can be
assigned.