The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1896-05-23
LEWIS AND cI.ARKE ROAD.

To the Editor;-
saw sQuio in late issue ot the
Astorian. ribblng up the county court Tor
building the Lewis and Clarke bridge,
and also elaiming that the next thing
would he a ferry across NounS's river.
Now, am not taking up the cudgcl to
defend the present county court, for they
are aOundantly able 10 take care OF them
selves without any assistance from me.
But. being Interested in roads and this
road In particular, l would Ike to dis
cuss the proposition from business
point OF view.
This Taxpayers" sIuib seems to me
a good deal like a dlsgruniled politician
or may he some one who awns a sSNl0o
foot lot in some wildcat addition in a
different direction frOn the above road,
Certainly. he cannot b. a taxpayer OF
much prominence or he would have
raised his voice before this. when the
late county court was wasting SI5e In
constructing bridge across the Wal
luski river on piles stuck up In the mnd
without being driven. and all OF the work
heing done In 50 Slipshod manner as TO
OF money every three or six months TO
keep the bridge from tumbling down.
This Taxpayer" should have been heard
from when the late county court built. a
private bridge across the Necanicun AT
Seaside al q cost OF N.7oo. for the express
accommodation OF one or two hotels ana
their guests. But not one word from
him.
II would look as though this Tax
payer" had some Connection with the latea
county court. or else he is so narrow
minded that because the road does not
run In the direction that he desires he
feels like making kick.
Now. let US see what reason or logic
there is In Mr.. ''Taxpayer's'' argument.
There is a continuous settlement from
Astoria via the Lewis and Clarke road
TO Seaside. and more or less from there
on 10 Elk creek. Lower Nehalem and
TillamOok; all OF which is directly bene-
fitted by this road. Then every man,
woman or child tin Astorial is interested
directly: In the FIRST place, TO give them
an outlet by foot. bicycle or buggy, to
the beach OF the Pacific. where the whole
people OF the state love to 90 every
summer. In the second place. every
person in Astoria will be benefited by the
cheapening Of their wood. butter, milk.
eggs. etc.
Why, do you know that for want OF
competition and on account OF the extra
cost Of handling milk by the dealers. you
are paying cents per quart in Astoria,
while the dealers purchase the same milk
on the Lewis and Clarke for cents per
gallon. and other things in proportion
Do you know that i've years ago the
people on the line OF this road, with the
assistance Of the enterprising people in
Astoria, raised H.10o, the largest sub
scription ever raised on any line Of road
in the county; and that there is another
subscription list in the hands OF a COM
mittee with nearly $500 subscribed to
finish and complete this road? And,
furthermore. Mr.. Taxpayer" 10 you
know that last August there was a petit
ton presented 10 our honorable county
court, signed by l42 Of the taxpayers OF
Astoria, Lewis and Clarke river ana
Ciatsop. which petition represents nearly
half Of the entire taxable property OF
Clatsop county. Among the signers
were such men as W. E. Dement,. George
Flayel. Hon. c. ". Fulton. the Kinneys,
the Taylors, the Van Dusens. Megler 4
Wright. Fisher Bros, and all Of the
prominent property holders in the county.
ASKING the nOnOraDle county court 10
bridge the Lewis and Clarke. and either
bridge Young's river or put on a steam
ferry to conect this road with the town.
II you don't know It, please call on F.
I. Dunbar. county clerk, and he will
kindly show you the petition
In conclusion, would ask Mr. Tax
payer" TO go up the Lewis and Clarke
and examine the work being done by
Fry & Meyer, an Astoria company, and
contrast the work and cost Of same with
the contracts heretofore let to Hoffman
& Bates, who packed the money to Port |
land instead Of spending It among our |
own people.
The piles were driven TO bedrock. the |
timbers are being put together In a solid, |
manner. the iron bolts are |
being put in their place, and II the |
structure Is finished in as workmaniIke |
a manner as II has been begun, We will |
wager a new hat that the county court |
will not be called upon every three |
months to make repairs Yours truly,
ANOTHER TAXPAYER.