The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1856-03-21
For the Gate City.
County Seat.


County Seat.
MEssRs. EDITORS II am glad to see that
you are determined not to compromise your
influence as Republican journalists, BY taking
part in the County Seat movement. 1t il not
required that any political paper in kcokuk
should prejudice its patronage by devotion
to any County project. Your patronage is
from the friends of the removal OF the County
Seat. Three fourths of the merchants of
Keokuk, and nearly all the real ''bone and
sinew'' are its friends, and SO far as your
friends, they approve your course, and insist
that the question shall not change single
vote for county officers at the approaching
election.
notice in your paper of this morning n
long article opposed to removal Of the
County Seat The writer seems to have
marked repugnance to men of wealth who
own real estate near points eligible for BUSH
ness purposes or County Seats, and denounc-
es them somewhat furiously, comparing them
to the ''Southern Olgarchy" Of which he so
much stands in dread. "First cast out the
beam that is in thine own eye,' &C., is the
scriptural direction. The writer owns huge
farm Just back of Montrose and be is making
that place conspicuous candidate for the
County Seat. If he should be successful he
will soon be advertising town lots for sale in
the County Seat, and clarifying over the
fruits Of his foolish attacks upon others. 1t
is singular that q man OF his age has not
learned more wisdom. Montrose must be-
come "a good point, and nothing would more
advance its commercial interest than to have
a County Seat at Charleston, have the coun-
try walked up, ard town built up which will
The writer states what is not true-the
Charleston movement IS thr peoples ffovu-
ment. The petitions TO the County Court
had 500 names to them before q single prop
erty holder, away from Charleston, was con-
suited. OF this / am assured BY several cit
liens of Charleston township most conspicu-
Gus in the movement.
The writer seems to think it too soon 70
agitate this question. This has been the cry
for several years, and the farmers from all
parts of the county have been paying illegiti-
mate tribute to Fort Madison, as the conse-
quence. For several years, four-ffths Of the
people of the county have been in favor of a
removal. Fort Madison is out Of the way,
aud Will be turned over to literary purposes
as soon ms our Mount Pleasant road is fin
ished. The public buildings are of no ae-
count. New ones must be erected On some
suitable spot before the County Judge issues
q proclamation to erect buildings at Fort
Madison. The main, moral question is, shall
the County Seat be removed Long before
q dollar can be expended at Charleston. the
Will be in session aud can make
a permanent location, or at the April election,
keokuk, Montrose, Charleston and Franklin
Centre can be made candidates. and contest
for the seat Of justice. A vote to remove,
will break the spell of Fort Madison, divest
it Of It's moral power IN consequence of hay
ing in possession fragmentsry jail and a
court house acquainted with hard times.
The writer was opposed to the Charleston
move at this time, but he is satisfied and has
long been, that it is the point for the County
Seat Out Of Keokuk, ii ''is the only place
in Lee county, for which jackson township
viii vote" 1t is central according to geogra-
ply and population, it is a feeder to Mon
trose and keokuk, it is on the line Of our
Des Moines Valley trade, near the terminus
of our plank road, and more easily aecess-
b. re all important towns in the county than
any other projected seat of justice. It's Il
miles from keokuk, s or from Montrose,
II from Fort Madison, ten from West Point,
ana within a circle OF ten miles are Des
MONIES, Van Buren,, Harrison, Cedar, Frank
lin, part Of Marion and Montrose townships.
Soon, Keokuk will have an Independent
CITY Court and town record. A County
Seat would avail nothing. Charleston will
then be the Point, and the only point where
the whole county can transact its business
with convenience. Yours truly.
FATE OF THE MURpERERs OF LovEJoY.--A
correspondent Of the Ravenna Democrat,