The Weekly register., 1843-08-12
Candidates for the Legisiature-"The he
CnnntN Nnestinn. SC. sc.

Candidates for the Legisiature--The
County question, sc. sc.
We had some stump sparring last Mon
day between Mai. Davis, candidate for
the Legislature, and Mr. Erwin Of this
place--all about "the court house ques-
ton" dissatisfaction having been ex-
pressed by some individuals with the
position assumed by Mr.. Davis relative
10 the county question, and Mr.. d. ia
king that for evidence ofa disposition on
the part of the people this side of the
river to "ugitate the question:" withdrew
from the canvass in accordance with
pledge previously made.
Mr.. Davis was in error in believing
that any general disposition TO agitate
the question existed. We do not believe
thatto be the case on either side OF the
river-why should it be 50? While the
Wings of the other counties of Missis-
sippi, Us well as those of the whole
Union, are battling for their own great
and cherished principles, will the wings
Of this county merge every thing in the
petty question ofthe location Of the coun-
~ court house2 While the democrats
OF the Union are contending for their
great issues, win those Of this county
merge aHin the court house question:
Experience has shown already in every
county in the State that court houses do
not make, or the loss Of them unmake
towns. In proof we could cite two
thirds Of the county seats Of Mississippi,
many Of which are in dilapidated and
decaying position. If the Town of Pom
ola enjoys natural advantages for COM
merce over Belmont, or vice versa, the
town which possesses most Of these will
likely outgrow the other, court house or
no court house. Many counties in this
State have fought hard over. the loca
ton of their court houses, and finally
the contest has died away, because in
fact, there is not, nor ever was any thing
really worth contending about
But suppose the issue never so mate
rial--how should it be got at? So far
as the people Of the county can control
it, let it be by their direct uOteS--is not
that the right way?-submit the ques-
tion now or at any future time to the di-
rect votes the people--and then abide
by a decision of the majority fairly ex
pressed. Let not the question enter into
any Of our county ezections-but take il
by itself-submit the issue now or at
any time to the people, disengaged from
all others, "shalfthe present location of
the county seat be changed?" In this
way We can settle it amicably, and in no
other. If all the candidates on the Bel
mont side, or on the Ponola side, should
be elected, might not the minority say
they were elected as wings, democrats,
or from personal popularity. If that
was the result, might not, and would not
the minority still complaint would the
question be a1nicably settled, or treated
by the minority as fairly settled at all?
Never.
Devise as many plans as you will, we
are inclined to believe that the eff
cient way Of all others to produce an
amicable adjustment Of this question: is
TO agree to leave the question out ofo1r
county elections, and submit il alone to
the direct vote ofthe people. The pres
ent disposition 10 heal the wounds and
do away the bitterness of personal feel
ing and hush up the strife which can ul-
innate In no great advantage and afford
no laurels to the conquerors, which
we believe to be very nearly univer-
sal among the citizens of our county
warrants the assertion, thar. nearly, ii
not all, can be brought TO this kind of an
amicable arrangement. We call upon