Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1897-07-07
THE BRIDGE IS DEAD.

never be built. That is the probability
as indicated by present conditions. After
reversing itself again and again, the
county board has at last sought to dodge
the responsibility by burying it in a
primary.
The regular quarterly meeting of the
board was held last Monday, and the
principal business of hand was the con-
sideration of the bridge matter. There
were present Supervisor Culp, Commits
sioners Ashe, Brice, Gwin, Miller, Minis,
Stanton, Wilkerson and White. Com
missioner Mcknight was absent.
The principal item of business before
the meeting was the disposition of the
Catawba river bridge matter. There
were present large delegations from Up
per Fort Mill, the town Of Fort Mill, Low
er Fort Mill, and the town of Rock Hill.
In order that these delegations might
have ample time in which to return to
their homes, it was decided to dispose OF
business in which they were interested
first.
Commissioner Miller opened the pro-
ceedings by submitting petition from Al
voters of Ebenezar township, asking that
the whole matter be referred to the people
in the primary election Of August 81.
Commissioners White submitted similar
petitions from voters of Bethesda and
Catawba townships. They each contained
some IS or 40 names.
Major White stated that the petitions
were from taxpayers, and were certainly
entitled to serious consideration. Mr..
Wilkerson stated that he had understood
that such petition had been in circula-
ton in his country but as to where it was
he was unable to say.
In the absence of motion, the board
drifted into an informal discussion, in
which Commissioner Brice took strong
position against the petition. He spoke at
consi derable length, and among other
things, said that it was an easy matter to
get up petition for or against any propo-
sition. He had no doubt that petition
could be be gotten up in opposition to any
bridge which might be desired. He was
not particular about signing petitions ;
but would sign almost anything in this
shape that some particular friend might
present him. Then again, he did not
think a primary election would be a de-
sirable plan for the settlement of matter
like this. In the first place, selfishness is
All established principle of human ma
ture. Every white man over 81 years OF
age who puts his name on the club rolls,
FIVE days before the election, is enti-
tied to vote. Many of these pay no
taxes and care nothing about the matter.
Others are financially interested so far as
paying taxes are concerned; but not ex-
pecting to ever derive any immediate
benefit from the bridge, would be inclined
to vote against it for selfish reasons. AS
a matter of principle, there is no doubt of
our right to build this bridge. If we
have the right to build bridge over Bull
locks creek, then we have the right to
build a bridge over any stream in the
county. He told of $4,000 bridge that
had been built by the county commits
sioners of Chester county, and then how
the commissioners who had built that
bridge, had been defeated in the next
election. He did not care whether
the matter was submitted to the peo-
pie or not, there was no doubt of the
right of the board to build the bridge.
But in the event the question should be
unless some Fort Mill man
would 20 over the county and advocate it,
he thought it would be defeated. He
thought, however, that the people of Fort
Mill had higher right to this bridge than
did the people of any other section to any
$500 bridge in the county, and to submit
the question to a vote and have it killed,
would, he thought, be a public calamity.
He referred to the fact that the people Of
Rock Hill were at first opposed to the
bridge; but afterward changed their
minds. This, he thought, was because of
in the first instance.
The people of the country generally, he
felt sure, would vote for the proposition
if they understood it. Just whether to
vote for or against the proposition to sub
nit to the people, he was in doubt,
''But," he concluded, 1--WE should act the
part of men, think about it seriously, and
then do what we think is right in the
premises"
Upon motion of Commissioner White,
the petitions were received as informa-
ton, to be considered with other matters
with the bridge question.
Commissioner Brice suggested that
80 tl,o To Nfi11 1n1ay ,finf, NO
heard from, and Supervisor Culp called
upon Mr.. J. w. Ardrey. Mr.. Ardrey
said he very much regretted the turn
matters had taken. He thought that we
already had too many elections and too
much politics. These elections tended to
the people, disorganize busi-
ness and work other harm. For that
reason he thought they ought to be
avoided, and he would much prefer to
have the matter settled right there by
the board. Mr.. Brice has shown you
clearly that you have as much right to
build this bridge as you have to build
any $500 bridge. You must remember
hat every bridge is of local interest only.
Put any $500 bridge to vote of the peo-
pie of the whole county, and the proba
Dility is that it would be killed. So with
his bridge. But bridges have to be
Quilt, and that is what the people put you
lere for. They have confidence in your
integrity, your Judgment, your intelli
renee and your patriotism. They expect
you to attend to matters of this kind for
hem, and if you are incompetent to do
t, then you should resign. This will not