The record-union., 1894-09-05
PROPOSED COSTUMES RIVER BRIDGE.
The Contract Therefor Awarded to
Mcmahon & Sons.
Supervisor Curtis Opposes the Work
on the Score of Economy-A
New Road Accepted.

When the Board of Supervisors met
yesterday morning the Contract Com
mittee submitted its report accepting b.
MeAlahon IL Sons bid of sI0,0 900 for con-
structing steel bridge over the
Costumes River, where the old Nc
Cracken bridge now hangs.
A question was raised at Mondays
session as to the legality of the bid sub
mitted by that firm, on account of its not
being signed. The Contract Committee
consulted District Attorney Ryan on the
matter, and he said the bid was a proper
one. Plans and Specifications were sub
mitted by the firm, accompanied by a
certified check, and the only one who
could take advantage of the absence of
the signature would be the board. If
tract after it was awarded to them they
would have to forfeit the check. The
firm would be bound by its bid.
Contractor Darby Layden said that if
the board should consider the bid of his
rival without it being signed, Mcmahon
q Sons could claim any amount they de-
sired for building the bridge, and no tax
payer could prevent them from getting
the money. He said the firm should be
take the contract Tor the sum named in
their bid.
Supervisor Todd replied that the con-
tract had not yet been entered into, and
the board would see that McMahon &
Sons took the contract or forfeit their
certified check.
When it came to voting on the adoption
OF the report OF the Contract Committee,
Supervisor Curtis said that when he be-.
came member of the board the road dis
trlctS were $4,000 i'll debt, and he had
ever since been trying to keep the debt
down. He could not see whence the
money was to be taken to pay for the
bridge. The road funds are nearly de-
pleted, and heavy tax would have
to be levied to go on which the work.
Supervisor Todd said Mr.. Curtis OBJ
lection to having bridge constructed
was untimely. He should have objected
before the bids were asked for. and the
board might have saved the expense Of
advertising for plans and specifications.
Curtis replied that the people of the
county are in no condition to have their
taxes raised. They cannot afford to be
burdened with a heavy tax levy this
year for the purpose OF constructing the
bridge.
Supervisor Jenkins, in whose district
the new bridge is desired, replied To Cur
tls' remarks with good deaI of warmth.
he thought it a very late hour for him to
interpose an objection TO the proposition
OF new bridge over the Cosumnes River.
The old bridge had been menace Tor
years TO the farmers and others who have
occasion to cross it TO come to this city to
sell their products. There are heavy tax
payers behind the petition for the new
bridge. Farmers are afraid to cross it
with heavy loads, and one risks his life
when walking on it. Ii Mr.. Curtis had
nhiaotinn tO ha htriIdinor nf
bridge he should have presented it be-
fore bids were advertised for.
Chairman Morrison asked Curtis how
the latter voted when the bridge was con-
demned.
Curtis replied that he did not vote to
condemn the bridge.
Morrison disputed Curtis assertion,
and the minutes of the board were re-
terred to to settle the question, but the
Clerk did not have time enough to look
them up, and this particular incident was
forgotten In the various side remarks of
the Supervisors about the propriety of
Curtis objection at this time.
Supervisor Curtis said it was not right
for Jenkins to have placed sign on the
bridge warning eyerybody that 1t was
dangerous and unsafe.
Jenkins replied that his action in plac-
Ing the sign there was entirely proper
The bridge was unsafe, and those having
occasion to use it should be made aware
Of that fact. Farmers and others should
not be compelled TO take their products
to Stockton and dispose of them there
when they wanted 10 bring them TO this
city, but were prevented from doing so
on account of the unsafe condition of the
McCracken bridge.
Curtis said he was not opposed to the
new bridge, but the old one is good
enough yet. He said fifteen months ago
the county was in debt and he would en-
deavor to clear it off.
Before vote was taken on the renort
of the committee District Attorney RYAN
again called the attention of the board to
his opinion that the Did OF McMahon IL
Sons, although unsigned, was good. for
1t showed on its face that it was made in
good faith and was accompanied by plans
and specifications.
The report was then voted upon and
was passed by the votes of Morrison.
Miller, Todd and Jenkins. Curtis voted
in the negative.
The report of the viewers appointed to
select the right of way for a new road
near Hangtown Crossing, petitioned for
by Warden Aull and others, and award
ing the damages to landowners along
the proposed road at $50 an acre. was
read and adopted. The new road was
declared public highway.
AT the afternoon session the deed of
M. Samuel for the right of way on his
land for The Frazer road, near Conley's
Station, was accepted and ordered re-
corded.
a communication was received from
the Trustees of the Elk Grove Union
High School, stating that the estimate for
the maintenance of the school for the
ensuing year had been fixed at 81 300.
The communication was referred to the
County Auditor.
Alter passing number of demands the
board took a recess until this morning.