The record-union., 1899-10-06
HAL TIN THE FERRY MATTER.
SUPERVISORS WILL WAIT FOR
AN OPINION.
Free Ferry Petition Laid Over for
Action Until the Ninth of
November.

Clerk Pipher of the District Attor-
ney's Office responded to call py lhe
board, and was asked what action hao
been taken with regard to the aeslreu
opinion as to whether or not the poalo
could, jointly with the board OF 1oio
County, locate and maintain Iree
ferry across the Sacramento River III
the vicinity of Clarksburg.
ATTORNEY Pipher said he understood
that Assistant District Attorney Wacn-
horst had not as yet written an OPINION
that owing to conflict of interests ne
felt a delicacy in giving an opinion, ana
preferred to wait until the return OF
District Attorney Baker
Supervisor Jenkins said there would
be no opinion forthcoming until the
return of District Attorney Baker,
Wachhorst having told him that he
would decline to shoulder the respon-
sibility
Chairman Curtis said that Wach-
horst had told him that he had made up
his mind, and that his opinion was
ready.
jenkins said he talked to Wachhorst
Wednesday afternoon and that he said
he would give no opinion.
Mr.. Pipher was requested to send in
Mr.. Wachhorst before the board
At this time Frank D. Ryan, at
torney for Webber & Creason, who for
a number of years have conducted a
ferry across the river at Clarksburg,
and whose franchise expired about two
months ago, arrived. Mr. Ryan called
attention to the fact that the board had
set the matter for that hour. Webber
p = l. iY1cr
without a franchise, and they merely
asked for a renewal of their franchise.
He said he understood that the people
in the vicinity Of Clarksburg, on both
sides of the river, did not desire a free
ferry established. There was no hurry
in the matter, and if the board did not
desire to act at that time he hoped a
date would be fixed on which the mat
ter could be settled for good and all.
Supervisor Morrison said the people
along the river had no petition on file
for free ferry, and he understood they
did not desire one established. If such
ferry was established the board knew
it would cross the river somewhere be-
tween Freeport and Sacramento, and
would not in any manner interfere with
the renewal of Webber & Creason's
franchise. He moved that the prayer
of the petitioners be granted, and that
their franchise be renewed.
Jenkins seconded the motion
Supervisor Mclaughlin said if it was
found that the board had authority
under the law to establish free ferries,
and did establish one petitions for
others would flow in. He moved as
an amendment that the matter be set
for Tuesday next at 10 a. m.
Morrison wanted to get the mater out
of the way, but would not object to
continuance if it was necessary.
All motions being finally withdrawn,
Curtis moved that the matter come up
for disposal at 10 o'clock a. m on No
vember 9th, and the motion prevailed.
After the matter had been settled,
Assistant District Attorney Wachhorst
put in an appearance. He said he had
intended to render an opinion in the
matter this morning, but that he re-
ceived a letter from District Attorney
Baker, who requested that action on
the matter be postponed until his re-
turn. He was informed that action had
been postponed, and the question of a
free ferry was dropped.