The record-union., 1899-09-02
Let us Have the Bridge.

Eds. '.Record-Union": l am very
glad that our Chamber of Commerce
has voted to lend a helping hand to
Fair Oaks and Orangevale and the
people living on the opposite side oil
the American River, in presenting
petition, numerously signed, to the
Board of Supervisors for the construc-
ton of a bridge over the American
River from Fair Oaks townsite, in or
der to make close connection with the
Southern Pacific Company at Sails
bury Station This is a movement in
the right direction, and will open the
way for the transportation of freight
and passenger traffic for those two
thriving colonies, which has long been
needed
One of the strongest inducements
held out to Eastern people to settle at
Fair Oaks, in the fall of 1898 and the
winter of 1896, was that a railroad
would be built from Sacramento
through to Orangevale by the summer
of 1896. A pledge was given by the chi
cago company that sought to colonlze
that fair section of Sacramento County
that $40 for every acre sold would De
devoted to the construction OF such
railroad. This was what all the col
onists wanted and expected. All were
more than willing to devote this IL per
cent. of the price Of their land to the
building of a railroad.
This money has been paid by the
colonists, but the Chicago company has
violated it's contract and kept the mon
ey, which ought to-day be in bank at
IN TO h1a n l.
fillment of this much-desired plan. If
the just and legal dues of the colonists
who have paid for their land at Fair
Oaks could be secured, [ am conhdent
that every man and woman who owns
an orchard there would cheerfully de-
vote the entire amount to the building
of railroad. But, Notwithstanding all
the obstacles met with, Fair Oaks mas
made a steady and gratifying progress.
and it's people stand to-day united Tor
the promotion of it's best interests, not
only in a horticultural point of view
but in the higher interests of education
and morality.
What Sacramento City most needs
to-day is to attract thrifty and enter
prising people from the East to bulfd
up the surrounding country and pro-
mote new manufacturing and mercan-
tile interests in this city. This, it can
readily do. if our people will rise to
full appreciation of the superior az
vantages which this county has to Of
fer. No city in the State occupies better
vantage ground than this. This county
needs no booming. Let the plain facts
of it's commercial position, the produc-
=; 1fi c<n1 "a
salubrity of it's climate, and the actual
statistics from official reports be fully
stated, and this will clearly demon
strate the claims which this city and
county have on the thoughtful attention
of people in the East who are seeking
for a better climate and a desirable field
for profitable industry.
Let the business men of our city
therefore. give their cordial support
and cooperation to the movement
which is now being so earnestly made
by the new colonies to secure the build
ing of a bridge across the American
River, and let the bridge DE of such
substantial character that it will not
only provide a good thoroughfare for
vehicles and pedestrians but also for
a much needed electric railroad to con-
meet with the Placerville road at Sails
bury Station.
1t will be an added inducement for
people to make their homes in our beau
tiful foothills when they can have daily
and prompt connection with this city
by railroad. I confidently believe that
the fruition of these reasonable hopes
will be realized in the near future.
CHICAGO.