The Empire County argus., 1856-05-17
TO the VCtrrS CT Ell Dorado County


eve of another County Seat election. Twice
already this question has been submitted to the
people. and each time decided in favor of Coloma
In the first election the competing towns were as
now. C"l"ma and lacprvilc. AT that time Coloma
received eli ar majority Of all the votes cast. Ila-
cerville polling upwards of one-half the total num-
her of votes which she received within her own
limits. Again in 1854 the second struggle occur
red. tooma. as at first. being the successful COM
majority over lacervlle, notwithsta nding the un-
precedcnted vote of the Ravne City. which was
greater than was polled before or since in the
entire township.
For the hird time. in pursuance of an act of the
last Legislature. this question of County Seat is
submitted to the people and an election ordered on
Saturday the l7th day of May. This law was
passed at the instance of citizens of accrville
who desiring to override and outrage the twice ex
pressed wishes and will "f large majority of the
people OF FL Dorado county petitoned the I.egisa-
ture for an act of arbitrary removal in order. if
possible, to deprive them of Il voice in the settle
mrnt of this question. Failing in this attempt to
violate the popular will. they urged the passage of
a law providing for special eiection, and having
great fear of the furnishing towns in their imme-
date vicinity deprived them of all chances of com
peting in the race. diamond Springs and Fl Do
RADIO. though more central than acervile. were
thrust aside, being in the opinion of laccrvians
II pair of insignificant villages compared with the
single barreled city of lacerville--.'mere append
ages, tributaries to the village, yclcpt city of
Placerve.
The repufel agtat on of this di-tracting topic is
Ircjudicial to the interests of the County. and
ought to he permanently settled. There is no sub
stanta reason why this matter should now occupy
the time and attention of our citizens, but many.
why it should not, Among them is that this spe-
cat eeoton incurs an unnecessary expense Of at
least s $1,000. which might have been avoided hy
submitting the question at IL general election. but
for the "vrrwecnng anxiety and selfshnesS of teu
saloon Keepers, traders and spectators of lacer-
the loss of the present Court House. containing
ample r""m for county ,ffices, of substantial
character for wnoden cdtce and amply sufficient
for the holding of Courts for several years to come
he new County ,'ail now nearly completed at ii
cost of $4,000 will also be a total loss to the
County. OF this substantial work the Grand Jury
in their report, dated April 18th, 1856, speak as
fnllnws:
The southern and eastern outer walls and all the
cells at full elevation read t" receive the stone
ceiling. which work is now in progress The floors
M the cells are composed of granite hl, cks two
feet in thickness. and all the division walls cnm
posed also of stnnc. and altogether substantial
piece Of masonry. The doors are substantially
"f heavy bar iron and securely hung
and fastened The contract price fer this work is
; IL 00O Of which sum s7GS4 has already been
paid the contractor ming 80 per cent Of the
ann unit due ON the work completed un To the 8ih
day of March last since which time the work l;,,
been progressing and is to he completed according
t" the terms Of the contract ty the first of June
next
Since the submission of this report the Board of
Supervisors have paid the contractor further sum
IF 1889 G4 making a total amount already paid
IF Sl0,GGG G4. The work is now ready to receive
the roof and it is conf lcnly eved the building
will he fully completed before the day of the aI-
preaching election. ! he edtcr being designed for
II prison. and suhiividr int" cells. is totally unfit
for any other purpose than that originally intend
ed hence renewal of County Seat will involve
the County in the total loss of the work. and cast
u cbSt w III ScHSIilt Ulcn au'It u SUICIDAL
policy of this description Certainly not Such
folly is the province of irresponsible parties only
or of schemers who own tenantless houses in Ii
cervc.
In The erem Of remoruI. the County Treasury will
be drained tor payment of rents for public Offices
II arments for the holding of c"urs. and cnntine-
ment of prisoners. and for guards to watch about
the unsuitable shantirS thus employed. amounting
tn at least 5000 per annum. until suitable build
ings can he erected by the county. All this. too
when the county has complete and adequate build
ingS standing idle The folly and insatiate grecdi.
ness Of lacervlle plainly c'ntemplateS this result
txactv In proof If which sert o" tn ee Of the law
authorizing this County sat election is adduced as
G lows
Sec 3. If it shall appear from the returns of
said r clion that the city Of lacerville has been
chosen the County Seat Of said C uny the Board
of Supervisors of raid County shall immediately
make the necessary provisions for the removal "t
"f >aid County. and to secure suitable buildings
and fces in which transact the business of the
{ ounty at hccryile. until the Court House and
other County buildings shall lie erected
This piece of law is specimen nf the wisdom of
some lacerve el"ns. who to crafty its citizens
with the privilege "f gazing at county officials has
utterly disrcgardrd every princip of economy and
common schse. The 'Supervi>rS shall immediate
iy pack the movable properly of the county and
it to lacrrvillr. aud shall 'mme iidteIy
srcu.e suitable buildings and ofices in which t"
transact the business of the cuuny at flacervile "
Regardless IF the expense and loss to the county
this work must be speedily performed. Within ten