The record-union., 1895-02-11
THE GRAND JURY
Its Inquiry Into the Proposed Railroad
ri AInt

1tS inquiry into the proposed Railroad
Bridge Matter.
The sojourning correspondents of some
OF the San francisco papers were tearing
about the city on Saturday afternoon and
evening in an excited manner, all be-
cause the Grand Jury had seen fit to
make inquiry into the matter of the
agreement entered into between the Su-
pervisors and the California Pacific Rail-
road Company for an overhead wagon
way above the new steel bridge to be
built between this city and Washington,
Iolo County. From remarks heard on
the streets these live" newspaper men
thought they scented real scandal, and
under telegraphic orders from home they
set about energetically TO dig it up."
year ago last Decem ber the railroad
company Informed the Supervisors that
they were about to construct steel
bridge across the river. 1t was to be
very expensive affair, and it's construc-
ton would take about two years. If the
county desired to have an overhead
bridge built for the use of people in Yolo
doing business with the city and the
home merchants who did business across
the river, then was the time to determine.
The company stated that unless Sacra-
mento and Golo Counties were willing TO
pay good portion of the cost of the
overhead wagonway it would construct
the usual combination brjdge-one
passageWay for both trains and wagons.
| The cost of the overhead structure would
be $4,000 to $4,000. and Sacramento was
Gsked to pay $3.50 of it. A less sum
was asked OF 4olo, because the bridge
was conceded to be OF greater benefit to
this county than to Yolo
In making this proposition the COM
pany submitted drawings aud a descrip-
ton OF the proposed bridge, and stated
that it would be necessary to begin at
! once the work of preparing the steel
therefor, the bridge to be completed in
December, 1885. according to the plans
submitted.
After months consideration of the
matter, during which 1t was freely dis
cussed by the papers of this county and
Holo, the Supervisors decided to have the
overhead bridge constructed, but only on
condition that the company would ac-
cept $4,000 instead of the sum asked
| (S45, ,0OOl This was finally agreed to, pro-
vided one-halt the amount would be ad-
vanced on the work. Accordingly the
| $4,000 was appropriated.
The fact that fourteen months have
! passed without any work having been
done at the site of the proposed bridge
| has caused more or less adverse COM
ment, and finally the matter was brought
| to the attention of the Grand Jury, which
body has, as stated, been making inquiry
| into the matter. The assertion has been
made that the Supervisors exceeded their
| power in the premises, and this is very
properly something the Grand Jury
should look into. The Supervisors, how
ever, claim that they acted within the
scope OF the District Attorneys advice.
Ii we mistake not, the agreement, or
contract, with the railroad company pro-
vided that if the bridge should not be
constructed within the time specified the
money paid on the work should be re-
! funded.
Engineer Wilkinson, who appeared be-
| fore the Supervisors at the time, eX-
! planned that the greater part of the work
! on the bridge would be done in foundries.
| and that the erection Of the structure
could be proceeded with only in the sum-
| mer season, after the water in the river
| had fallen very low, and would be COM
| pleted before the next high water.
| These are the main facts connected with
! the bridge affair, but there has also been
! the usual gossip heard whenever bridge
| contract Is let-that there was doodle
! III 1t for somebody. Possibly these in
! situations, coupled with the apparent de-
! lay in the erection of the bridge, have in
| tluenced the Grand Jury to take cOgniz-
auce OF the matter. 1t is said that certain
! persons who imagine they have political
grudges against the railroad company are
! responsible for the doodle" insinuations
! thrown out.
| ExMayor Gregory's name has been
| dragged into the scandal, and it has been
| intimated that he recently left the city to
avoid being called upon by the Grand
! Jury. The fact is Mr.. Gregory h n been
| in the East since last fall. diligently en-
| gagged IN promoting private enterprise
| in which he is interested.