Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1897-03-13

comparatively small amount necessary
for the construction of this bridge in the
same manner. Although he did not pro-
pose to enter at length into the question
of location until after the question Of
building the bridge had been settled, he
would say that there were three sites un-
der contention. One was at Dinkins's
ferry one at Neely's ferry; and the other
at Harris's ferry. Extremes are always
wrong, he said, and as Harris's ferry is
between the other two locations, he
thought that was about the right place.
It would benefit most people there. In
addition to the advantage as to the matter
of expense at Harris's ferry, Harris's fer
ry was closer by two miles to Rock Hill
than Dinkin's ferry.
When DIR. Thornwell concluded, Mr..
Viii kerson desired to know how many
ii mes the river got up during the year.
DR.. Thornwell replied that it got up
whenever there was sudden heavy rain.
Mr.. Wilkerson said this was also the case
with Broad river; bat, usually, under
such circu instances, it was only matter
of few hours until the river could be
crossed again.
It was here that Major White read the
petition from citizens Of Rock Hill and
Ebenezer, requesting that action on the
bridge matter be postponed until the
next meeting of the board of county
co mmissioners. The petition, as already
tated, was signed by A. E. Smith, chair
man, and w. A. Fewell, secretary.
DR.. Thornwell said that both Of these
ee ntlemen were men Of the highest stand
pg and character. Mr.. Fewell was an eI-
der in his church, and a man whose opin-
ions were always entitled to the most SER
GUS consideration. He desired to say
nothing that would detract in the least
from either gentleman. He could not
saw ANYTHING of the kind If he would, and
would not if he could-.-both were lead
ing, and substantial citizens, in whom he
had the utmost confidence, and for whom
he entertained the highest respect; but,
at t he same time, he could see no occasion
for postponement. The matter had al
ready been discussed until everybody un-
derstood it, and further delay was unnec-
ess ary. 1--WE want that bridge for our
escendants, of course but we also Wish
TO enjoy the pleasure Of walking across
1t ourselves" [Laughter.]
Mr.. J. w. Audrey had not heard'the re-
marks of DR.. Thornwell, and went over
much of the same ground with great
force. Among other things, he explain
ed that the most direct route between
Rock Hill and Fort Mill was at SturgiSs
shoals, about half way between Harris's
and Dinkins's ferry; but all along there
the bottoms are fiat and wide, anc
bridge would be useless in times OF hlgh
water. He was satisfied that HarriSs
ferry was the most practicable locatlon.
He insisted that language was inadequate
to convey to anyone not otherwise ac-
ouainted with the situation, compre-
hensive idea of the necessity for the
bridge, Then he went on to show how
Fort Mill township was cut of from 1ts
neighbors on the outside, and especially
from Yorkville, and showed the great in-'
conye nience and loss that often resulted
as consequence.
In the sf ternoon, D. E. Finley, Esq,
appeared before the board to explain the
DO wers of the county board Of eomm1sr
siouers in the premises. He said that the
two important questions were: LIST, the ne
cessity for building the bridge; and I'd, the
ability Of the county to pay for 1t. Ae
th o ought the bridge was necessity but
that was matter that was in the discre-
tion of the county board. It would have
been better, perhaps, If the question had
been raised some six weeks ago, while
the legislature was in session, and the
necessary funds could have been provided
for either by means of bond issue, OF by
provision in the tax levy. But still, the
question is entirely within the discretion
Of the board It has jurisdiction over all
ordi nary county matters. The building
of 500 bridge across creek Is an ordi-
nary county matter, and in like manner
is the building of q bridge across the
river. The only difference is that the
river bridge is on larger scale. And
not only this, there is way open for the
building of the bridge if the commission.
ers see fit. If they do not see their way
clear to pay for the entire work in one
year, they can extend payments overa
period of three or four years. To pay the
whole amount in one year, would require
q levy of about II mills; but to extend
payments over period four years, would
require levy of only AZ one-hundredths
of one mill each year. That the board
has the right to make the contracs, 1
am positive; and the levy can be made
each year to pay part Indebtedness on
ordinary county fund. The principal
question, therefore, for the board to set
tie, "is the proposed bridge necessity 2"
Major White asked Mr.. Finley If he
was speaking in the capacity of an attor-
ney or of private citizen. Mr.. Finley
said that he would not say anything as an
attorney that he would not be willing to
say as private citizen, nor would he say
anything as private citizen, that he
would not say as an attorney. He had
not been employed to come before the
board as an attorney, however. He was
there only as private citizen, and be-
cause of the interest he felt in the affairs
of the county.
Mr.. Ardrey took occasion to say that
the people of Fort Mill had employed no
attorneys in the case. They were plead
ing their own cause purely on the merits
49,