Butte record., 1856-02-09
The Removal Quesfion.

the session. By the proceedings of the
4th, however, it will be seen that the
bill was taken from the table, substi
tute adopted, and ordered engrosed for a
third reading. 1t seems that the aglta-
tors Of this question are determined to
perpetrate the wrong, and subject the
county to the expense of special eler-
ton in opposition to the wishes of the
people. That this move is in opposition
TO the wishes of the people of the county.
the Legislature will soon have the means
OF knowing. Twenty-one idlers of Oro-
vile, who form themselves into a mass
meeting and elect a lobby to the legisla-
ture, do hot represent the four thousand
inhabitants of Butte County. Common
rumor states that the petitions for this
movement have been gotten up by pro-
curing the signatures of those whom the
excitfme of LIST fall induced to visit
Oroville, but who are now scattered to
other portions of the State. The lcgis-
lature should take these matters into
consideration, and give the people of the
county an opportunity to be heard, be-
fore adding to their burden of taxation
by holding special election.
Not only is Bilwcll nearer the geo>
graphical center Of the county than any
other prominent point, but it is also the
center Of the business and voting popu-
lation of the county. It is also the cen
tire around which each year is invested
in mining cl inns, cash capitol of over
half a million Of dollars. This we are
prepared to demonstrate as follows =
Bidwell Township at the last election,
poled much larger vote than any other
township in the county, thus showing at
least, that it has the facility for support
ing larger population than any other
portion Of the county. 1t is the busi-
ness center, because it is the centre OF
River mining. 1t is the centre of travel
because it is On the only road through
the county to the upper country, and
should a road be constructed through
Oroville on the proposed route, it would
cost thousands of dollars, and still come
within one mile of Bidwell, and increase
the distance to Marysville some five or
six miles. To put Oroville on line of
communication with the upper country
will not only cost the county a snug sum
of money but will also increase the dis
tance. In the townships of Bidwell,
Kimshew, Mountain Spring and Orc,
there areorganized water companies with
an aggregate capital of nearly $780,
900. This does not include the amount
invested in the same enterprises in the
vicinity of Wyandotte, which, although
in Ophir township, is opposed to the res
moval to Oroville, because she is now
on the direct line Of communication be-
tween Marysville and the upper country,
and does not wish TO be taxed for the
purpose of building rams horn road
around hsrself for the accommodation OF
Oroville. When Wyandotte is furnish
ed with water, it must inevitably be a
place of more importance than Oroville,
for the diggings ale just as rich and ex-
tensive, and it is point that can com
mand a much larger interior trade. The
enterprises in which this capital is in
vested are yet uncompleted, and hence
we say the subject should not be showed
before the people at the present time.
That these interests should have an op-
portunity to develope themselves before
they are called upon to decide. This
capital has not been invested in hazard>
Gus enterprises, but :he points to be sup
piled are known to be capable Of sus-
tanning large mining population. Oro-
vile is the extreme point of River min
ing operations the extreme end of a
single ditch-the people of the county
west of her are petitioning to be set of
into new county. Uuder these cir
cumstances it seems to us that the legis-
lature should not entertain the question
of removal at the present session. We
desire to see the County seat located at
the largest and most important place
in the county. A year or two will de-
termine that point, as we'll as the
permanent boundaries of the county.
The Provisions of the original bill, we
undesiand, did not require a maioIity OF
the votes of the county to designate the
county seat, but provided that the place
receiving the highest number should to
be the county-seat. 1t made no provis-
ion for the erection of county buildings.
1t provided for special election to be