The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-10-03
~ROTTENNEss IN BRIDGES.
Both I'm Contracts and I'm K
ship-Tventy-SecOnd-St. Structure.

Both In Contracts and I'm WOrIkman-
shfp-Tyyenty-SecOnd-St. Structure.
Perhaps one of the most apparent ex-
hibits of the disgraceful management of
county affairs by the present Board Of
County Commissioners, headed by President
Reinecke. is in the county bridges. The
bridge expenditure has been one big rat
hole into which public money has been
poured. for there is little to show for the
large amounts expended. The Twenty
second-street bridge over Fall creek near
the Monon railroad Is one Of the monu-
ments to the boards mismanagement. The
bridge is one little used and there are
dozens of places along the creek where
one could have been constructed to better
advantage. The bridge is regarded as un-
safe By a number OF people in the city
who drive out into the country. Although
1t Is almost a new bridge, the floor of it
looks like a crazy quilt. There are, by
actual count, twenty-five patches where
heavy planks have been nailed down over
apertures in the floor, and in driving over
the bridge one experiences such a ride as
might be noted on a ragged mountain road.
For a considerable time the approaches to
the bridge were not filed and the bridge
was In disuse. The dyke work on the bank
of the creek to prevent the water from
washing the dirt away near the bridge has
tumbled down. The road is one seldom ever
used and IL little more than a country path
along the turf.
Although large sums are presumably
spent on bridges for repairs-at least the
records show 1.-THE commissioners seem
to take delight In allowing damages TO
people who are injured by falling through
the bridges on account Of defective floors.
Within the last month several claims have
been allowed. William TanSel was given
$50 for injuries TO his horse, which fell
creek Thomas Lewis was allowed S25 for
a like accident on the McClain-street bridge
over the canal at North indianapolis.
Charles Kahl was given $500 for injuries
to himself and team on the bridge across
Eagle creek. These claims were all al
lowed during the present term of the COM
missioners' court along with a number OF
others.
one item on the recent records of the
court shows 81 paid 20 Sol Leopold, and
the amount is charged up to the account
of a poor mule out at the county asylum.
1t might be suggested that this was the
purchase price of the mule, but IL isn't.
It's the price paid for insuring his life.
F. 5. Roberts was allowed $3.50 for board
ing bridge hands; another feature of the
expensive repairs that do not repair. 1t
Is not known what authority the commits
sioners have TO board county employees
hired by the day. Only the ward heelers
get these fat jobs where board is thrown
in. Joe Flack was made a present of s42-75
for '.viewing the roads," The inmates of
the workhouse and county asylum are
given an opportunity TO read a good paper.
A few days ago the commissioners paid
the People $50 for subscriptions. A school
at st. Joseph's. Ind. was gwen 1880 for
supporting a child. 1t is rather unusual
TO send a child out of the county for sup
port. This one is called a Board of Chill
a home on Prospect street for receiving
these children.