Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1853-08-05
The Objections

But, :'the end is not yet"
The Objections
To the proposed Division of Union coun-
ty, are altogether more .J'ncitM than real.
Let us look at them.
l. "The counties would be too small"
The object of counties is, the accommoda-
ton of the people. The size of the coun-
ty, or the shape it bears, is Of no conse-
qucncc compared to its utility. You may
as well choose q wife for her size, or farm
for its shape, as to erect a county BY rule
Or figure. The truth is, States, Counties,
and Townships are formed to agree with
the natural decisions of lakes, mountains,
rivers, Sc. In fat, level countries, unifor-
nifty and right angles may answer; but not
SO in mountain-and-valley broken Penusyl-
vania. Observe the boundaries Nature
has given between Union and Northum-
berland, Union and Lycoming, Perry and
Juniata, Juniata and Mifiin, MifIiin and
Huntington, Huntingdon and Blair, and
SO on Of so or 10 counties in Pennsylva-
MIA No matter what shape or size a val
ley or scope of country may have, if the
people have ability to maintain county
organization, and desire it, they sooner or
later obtain it. Only 1867 people in a
mountain-environed valley Oh the eastern
part of Bedford county, were recently cut
off to form FULTON county; and that
handful of population are well satisfied
with the change, and paid for the County
Buildings themselves-(and if they are
satisfied, who should object?) LIGoNIER
Valley, comprising 3 large Townships on
the isolated Sc. portion of Westmoreland
county. unanimously ask for county priv
ileges, and will obtain it, however long
the present county seat may battle them.
There would be smaller counties than ours
in the State, but none more advantageously
located for county purposes, each being
composed almost wholly of a single valley,
unbroken by rivers to pass or high hills to
climb-the mass of the population at the
central points, and but few hours ride
to the extremities.
.. "Unable to bear the burden" In
the saving of time alone, individuals would
more than make up for any extra expenses.
But We are abundantly able to sustain the
change. There are now, of the G4 counties
in the State, only 16 with higher valua-
ton than ours, only II with more taxes
assessed, only % with more tazables, and
only % with more population. We are
ABOVE THE AVERAGE in every particular
except barren hills. Oar economical and
industrious population can easily manage
two communities.
3. "Too sparse population" We now
number probably $4,000 souls. When
set of, we probably had only 10000 over
the whole county. Divided, each county
would have $1,000, coMpactly situated,
and established in everything desirable for
permanence and convenience. No new
county IA PtnnSylcania erer started rciM as
2arge q population as ours lrOrR3 hare
FIFTEEN THOUSAND Union County
Farmers and Mechanics, could make a
State! In proportion to size, there would
be no two richer or more convenient coun-
ties in the State
4. at would sunder old tics" So it
was said in 1772, when they sundered from
Bedford and Berks enough to make North
cumberland county, comprising all the State
to the northwest. So they thought when
they cut of from Northumberland, Lu-
zerne in 1856, Mifiiin in 1889, Lycoming
in 1895, Centre in 1900, and Columbia
and Union in 1913. But who would now
re-unitc those broken tics? Let the Di-
vision take place, and in four years not a
man would be found five miles from New
Berlin who would advocate a reunion.
In truth, the North and South portion:
of Union county have little business OIL
social interests in common. We should b.
just as good neighbors, separated, as W.
are with our old friends in Northumber
land. There would be more harmony
more good feeling, after division, than ha
heretofore existed.
EsJ"No one pretends to deny that MI
Snyder's age and qualifications are decided
ly superior to those of Mr.. Simonton an
the latter gentleman has plenty of chance