The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1856-04-05
Annexation of st. Anthony to Hennepin
The St. Anthony Republican, which at
first violently opposed this measure, now
speaks of it in the following manner:

The St. Anthony Republican, which a.
first violently opposed this measure, now
speaks of it in the following manner:
This measure is received on mature delib.
Grafton, with apparently widely differing
feelings, by different portions of our commu.
nifty, though nearly all, we believe, unite in
condemnation of the mode in which it was
brought about Could it have been fairly
arranged leaving the location of the County
Seat to the people, and giving St. Anthony
with its population of 5000, and it's taxable
property worth $l,250,O00, some fair share
in the management Of County affairs during
the present year, we are not sure that the
scheme would not have found as many friends
among US as that of a new County Of st.
Anthony. For ourselves, we are free to saw
that we like our present position vastly bet
ter than that of vassalage to St. Paul, in
which we formerly have lived. We wait the
operation of the experiment during the pres
ent year, before making up our mind whe-
ther we shall be better satisfied to 90 on
thus, or shall prefer a more independent
position.
This we take to be the general feeling of
our people. Indignant as they naturally are
at the deceit practised upon them in the
matter by those in whom they had reposed
confidence, still if they should find after
years trial that the present arrangement
will be cheaper, and not materially less con-
venient for them, than would have been
new County with st. Anthony as the County
Seat, We presume that there will be among
them very little disposition to try new
experiment next year. 7l
The Anoka people seem to have been least
benefited by their professed friends. AS
part of ST. Anthony County, its population
would only have to travel eighteen miles to
st. Anthony, to transact county business,
instead OF twenty-seven miles to st. Paul, as
they have heretofore done, and must still do.
But the indiscreet zeal of their own friends
has aided to kill that scheme, and has failed
to secure to them the coveted arrangement
by which Anoka was to be the County Seat
of new County. Some say this is a righ-
teous retrbution for their selfish course.
We have nothing to say about it.
Hennepln County is now the most popu-
lous in the Territory, and has We believe
rural population unsurpassed by any in the
whole West, for intelligence, industry, and
indomitable energy. If their votes shall en-
able us to rid ourselves even partially of the
terrible evils which our numerous grog-shops
entail upon us, to close up to some extent
these "breathing holes of HE'LL" a benefit
will be conferred upon us by annexation,
which cannot be measured by money. Let
US hope for the best.
If, however, it shall prove that good feel
ing cannot exist between the two sides of
the river, while in the same County, that
jealousies, chickering's and strife are the result
of too close a connexion, if our people shall
find that they cannot hope for fair treat
ment from those of the other side, consti-
tuting majority in the County, then it will
be the extreme of folly to perpetuate the
ill-assorted marriage. The part of prudence
seems to be wait and watch. G.