Daily capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1896-1899, 1897-05-19
REPAIRING
The Big Salem Bridge Sure
Public Meeting Giving the City
Full Power to Act,

- / III NN~f
1Pursuant to the call Of the mayor
published in Tuesdays Statesman
only a meeting Of citizens was held
at the council chamber at 7;3O D. m,
to consider the question Of the city OF
Salem assisting in repairing the big
bridge. 1t was called to order by
mayor Richardson. who named Hon.
/. L. Patterson chairman, who stated
the object of the meeting. Mr. Rich
ardsOn then made a statement or the
conditions to about forty citizens who
were present, He read from the city
ordinances and state laws the legal
points in controversy, and closed by
stating that if Salem would pay one
third the expense the bridge would be
saved, and that otherwise it would
not be repaired. He stated the esti-
mated cost Of the viewers to be S224O.
Hon. T. Ford was called upon, and
stated that the bridge was solely the
property Of the two counties and that
the city had no property interest IN it
whatever He maintained his points
with some further argument, but as
he stated that he was opposed to pay
ment by the city, he spoke reluctantly.
lis argument against Salem paying
was plain and logical, and he closed
by stating that Salem doesn't own
any interest in the bridge, and is un-
der no legal or moral obligation to
keep it in repair
Ex-Alderman RigdOn took the floor
for moment. He thought Mr.. Ford
had underestimate the value of the
bridge to Salem. He favored the city
donating one-third Of the cost of re-
pairs if it could do so without assum-
ing any further responsibility in it.
A letter was read from Ex-Alder-
man J. H. Albert favoring the city
paying one-third the repairs, in which
he set forth his reasons with some
historical data of value.
j. NJ. Wallace next spoke in prac-
tical manner, strongly urging the i'm
portance Of repairing the bridge forth
with. He stated that when the
petitions urging reTalrs which were
signed by over 6OO were circulated,
not five per cent of the citizers re-
fused to sign the same
He moved that it be the sense Of
this meeting that the bridge shall be
repaired, and the city bear her share
of expense. Mr.. Ford moved to
amend by stating that Salem would
assume no interest IN the bridge ex-
cept as taxpayers of Marion county.
This was ruled out of order
Dr. w. S. Mott moved to amend by
stating that the city would donate"
one-third instead of "bear her share"
last. The original!motion was put and
carried.
DR.. Mott then moved that the city
of Salem donate one.third of the ex-
pense Of repairs, but refuse to have
any responsibility or ownership in the
bridge. John Gray then moved to
amend by giving the city council
full power to act. Carried as amended
the vote being close.
Maj, D. G. Sherman reviewed the
history of the building Of the bridge,
and suggested that the two counties
insisted that Salem is a
third owner in the bridge. He
thought the city ought to disclaim
any ownership in the structure.
The mayor then stated that all |
these points had been presented to the |
county courts by him, but without |
avail.
c. p, Bishop favored repairing the |
bridge as soon as possible, and leav-
ing the question Of ownership until it |
is finished.
Thos. Kay thought that because a
community donated subsidy to a |
bridge or factory it did not hold that |
those donors should be compelled to
keep up the repairs. If the court will
not keep up its share let US elect a
court that will, said he.
G. Marsh suggested that if the