The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1856-03-19

removal of the County Seat. Above all
things he wishes ns to do, in one respect,
lust what we wish ourselves to do, viz TO
pursue such a course with respect 70 local
questions as shall in no wise compromise the
influence of our paper as Republican jour
nal. That policy. in our Judgment, forbids
our taking part in the County Seat controyer-
sy Till this canvass is over, we wish to
leave this and all kindred questions with the
people, uninfueneed by any effort or argu-
mcnt of our own On reflection, we think
all our Republican friends will deem this the
best and most proper course. But our col
people on both sides, to present their own ar
guments.-EDs.
For the Gete City.
County Seat.
MFssRs. EDITORS - 1t is said that the yo-
ters of Lee County viii be required at the
ensuing April election, to vote for or against
proposition to remove the County Seat to
Charleston. | have not seen the proclama-
ton. Regarding this as an important ques-
ton to the county, and seeing that no notice
thereof has been taken by the several press
es, propose to offer few remarks Of gener-
al applicability to the subject Of County
Seats, and such as think should influence
the voters on this, or any future proceedings
affecting the question
The history Of our county affords album
dant proof Of the difficulty Of locating the
County Seat SO as to satisfy every body. 4
large class Of persons have settled opinion
that the geographical centre is the only prop
er place. No doubt this would be the right
place If all the inhabitants resided at that
point, otherwise not, Another class, not
very numerous, but active and influential,
Il species Of aristocracy, become large pro-
prietors Of real estate and town lots mt some
outside point, and wishing 10 make a speeu-
lation, get up Il scheme to remove the Coun-
ty Seat to the centre Of such property. The
power Of tins class, ike that Of the South
ern olisarchy, is mighty, and very often pre-
walls. have heard that this sort of power
IS now being exerted. If 50 it should be
watched and resisted.
The County Seat is wanted solely for the
of transacting the county business,
chiefly for the administration OF justice in
courts Who are principally concerned in
this sort Of business Those who reside
in our cities where the money, the capital,
the commerce, tho manufactures, the mar
keting, and trade is found to exist, where, in
fine. nearly all business is transacted. Here
originates the public business, and here it
should be adjusted. Who is so ignorant as
not to know that nine enths of this class Of
business now has its origin in keokuk and
Ft. Madison To illustrate this idea, il may
not be irrelevant to compare the smallest
commercial with the largest agricultural
townships in the county, to wit Montrose,
whose commercial Importance is Just begin
ming to be developed, for several years past,
when the town population was only aboat
300 inhabitants, sustained three lawyers, who
became fat on their professional fees, SO that
two Of them have been made judges, aud the
third, who is "leetle" the latest Of ALL,
IS now being kept III reserve for our next
Governor. Now look at Denmark, the most
dansely settled township in our county, with
rich and enterprisine farmers, who build big
meeting houses, brick school houses, and
sustain college, yet lawyer, in that agri-
cultural township, could not make his toboc-
co. What use have they FOR County Seat?
Don't we know that one measurablv supplied
doggery makes more law business than these
Dennarkers?
This j. not the proper time to fix perma-
nentlv the county seat. The Railroads now
in process Of contraction, will have a trans
forming effect upon cities, business places,
&C., and as new facilities for intercourse
arise, the channels of trade, population, Ae.,
viii perhaps he materially changed, or per-
manently established, Sc that the matter Of
the county seat can then BE- fixed in cores
pondenee with fixed circumstances. Soon
there will be railroad connection, or ought
to be, between keokuk and Port Madison.
bringing each Of these cities, within twenty
minutes time Of Montrose. The railroad
from Montrose en- route to Mt. Pleasant. via
West Pointer some other point perhaps
between West Point and nkln-wilI make
place for town. when the proprietors
thereof viii have much stronger claim for
the county sent, if the cities must 20 to the
country,-than can be made OUT for Charles
ton. The people out there may as well wait
and see what time may do for them in this
behalf, as they can then come to Montrose
in thirty minutes time, if it shall please
them.
keokuk will soon contain population Of
from 50 900 70 lnl.AAl. Eort Madisnn viii