The Empire County argus., 1856-05-03
TO THE VOTERS OF Ell DORADO COUNTY.


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, Coloma and Placerville. At that time Coloma
received clear majority of all the votes cast Pla-
cerville polling upwards of one-half the total num-
ber of votes which she received within her own
limits. Again in 1854 the second struggle occur
red Coloma, at first, being the successful COM
pettor, having the largest plurality, and clear
majority over Placerville Notwithstanding the un-
precedented vote of the Ravne City, which was
greater than was ever polled before or since in the
entire township.
For the third 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 18th day of May This law was
passed at the instance of citizens of Placerville,
who, desiring to override and outrage the twice ex-
pressed wishes and will of large majority of the
people of Ell Dorado county, petitioned the legsla-
ture for an act of arbitrary removal, in order, if
possible, to deprive them of voice in the settle
ment of this question Failing in this attempt to
violate the popular will, they urged the passage of
a law providing for special election and having
great fear of the fourishing towns in their imme-
diate vicinity, deprived them of all chances of COM
peng in the race Diamond Springs and Ell Do
rado though more central than Placervlle, were
thrust aside, being in the opinion of Placervllans
a pair of insignificant villages compared with the
single barreled city of Placerville--"mere append
ages" tributaries to the village, yclept city of
Placervile.
Tile repeated agitation of this distracting topic is
prejudicial to the interests of the County, and
ought to be permanently settled. There is no sub
stantal 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-
cial election incurs an unnecessary expense of at
least $4,000, which might have been avoided by
submitting the question at general election, but
for the overwecning anxiety and selfshness of few
saloon keepers, traders and speculators of Placer
ville Again, removal will involve the County in
the loss of the present Court House, containing
ample room for county Offices, of substantial
character for wooden edifce, and amply sufficient
for the holding of Courts for several years to come
The new County Jail, now nearly completed, at
cost of $4,000, will also be total loss to the
County. OF this substantial work the Grand Jury
in their report, dated April 18th, 1856, speak as
follows:
"The southern and eastern outer walls and all the
cells full elevation, ready to receive the stone
ceiling, which work is now in progress. The floors
of the cells composed Of granite blocks two
feet in thickness, and all the division walls COM
posed also of stone, and altogether a substantial
piece of masonry The doors are substantially
onp 1ffh h,r nj
and fastened The contract price for this work is
$4,000, of which sum S7GS4 has already been
paid the contractor being so per cent. of the
amount due on the work completed up to the Sth
day of March last since which time the work has
been progressing, and is to be completed according
to the terms Of the contract by the first of June
next
Since the submission of this report the Board of
Supervisors have paid the contractor further sum
of $2,9S2 GA, making total amount already paid
of Sl0,GG6 GA. The work is now ready to receive
the roof and it is confidently believed the building
will be fully completed before the day of the ap-
preaching election. The edifce being designed for
a prison, and subdivded into cells, is totally unfit
for any other purpose than that originally intend
ed hence removal of County Seat will involve
the County in the total loss Of the work, and cash
it has cost Will sensible men adopt suicidal
policy of this description Certainly not Such
folly is the province of irresponsible parties only
or Of schemers who own tenantless houses in Pla-
cerville.
In the eUent Of removal. the County Treasury will
be drained for payment of rents for public Offices,
apartments for the holding of courts and confine-
ment OF prisoners, and for guards to watch about
the unsuitable shanties thus employed, amounting
to at least $4,000 per annum, until suitable build
ings can be erected by the county. All this, too,
when the county has complete and adequate build
ings standing idle. The folly and insatiate greedi-
ness of Placerville plainly contemplates this result
exactly In proof of which section three of the law
this County Seat election is adduced as
follows:
Sec. 3. If it shall appear from the returns of
said election that the city of Placervle has been
chosen the County Seat of said County, the Board
Of Supervisors Of said County shall immediately
make the necessary provisions for the removal of
all books, papers, furniture and movable property
of said County, and to secure suitable buildings
and Offices in which to transact the business of the
County, at Placerville, until the Court House and
other County buildings shall be erected"
This piece Of law is a specimen of the wisdom of
some ilacervlle solons, who to crafty its citizens
with the privilege of gazing at county officials has
utterly dsregarded every principle of economy and
common sense The 'Supervisors shall tmmeliate-
y" pack the movable property Of the county and
'emove it to Placervllle and shall immeliotety |
ecuie suitable buildings and Offices in which to
transact the business Of the county at Placervlle" "
Regardless of the expense and loss to the county
his work must be speedily performed. Within ten
lays would not satisfy the grecdiness of Tacervie