Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1857-03-18
For the Grand River Times.

|
| Mr. BARNS: | have noticed an article,
written for your paper Of the 4th of March,
respecting the action Of the Supervisors, at
their last session, on the removal of the coun-
ty seat, with several other articles of previous
date. From the tenor of them Judge that
the writer thinks that there was an influence
brought to bear on the Board that was not
honorable-or in other words, some of them
were bought. If the author, or authors OF
those productions belong to a party that has,
of late, become notorious for their suscept-
bility of brides, and taking into consideration
their exalted views of Grand Haven, we will
give them credit for being sincere in their ex-
pressions. But it is hard even for a Fusionist
to believe any of the members of the Board
of Supervisors could be bought for the small
sum that any one could afford to give for the
location of the county seat, at Eastmanville,
or any other point We believe that the Su-
pervisors who voted for the removal of the
county seat to Eastmanville voted for what
they thought was for the best interest of the
county, regardless of their own pecuniary in
terest, and, sir, there is no doubt but the peo-
pie will ratify their decision at our next town
meetings. The author Of the article of the
4th of March thinks there are no satisfactory
reasons that can be given for its removal, and
challenges any one to give them, if any there
are. Sir, if there are none given it is not ev-
idence none exist.
You have shown or admitted that it was
necessary for the preservation of the county
records and for the funds of the county, and,
also, for securely combining of criminals, that
there should be suitable buildings erected to
receive them. AS it becomes necessary for
the county officers to make arrangements by
selecting county site for erecting county
buildings, will endeavor to show you that
their choice was a judicious one; and, in Or
der to do SO, will give you description of the
townships Of the county. We will begin with
range sixteen, in which the village of Grand
Haven is situated: Seven-eighths of the tim
bered land in this range, is what is called
hemlock and pine land; and there is not one
dozen farms in this tier of towns that the
owners or workers of them receive their sup
port from the products of their farms.
Range fifteen: Towns ten and nine, in
this range, are very similar to range sixteen,
as it regards quality of soil; and, in fact, l do
not know of a farm in these two towns, where
farming is made the main business. Town
eight, in this range, has some good farming
land in it.; and there are some farms that
look as if a person could get fair remuner-
alton by working them; the northwest part
of this town is hemlock and pine land. Town
seven, in this range, is entirely worthless for
farming purposes. The tier of towns in range
fourteen is considered good farming land.
The tier of towns in range thirteen will COM
pare favorably with the same number of towns
in any part of this Valley, for farming lands;
the quality of the soil in this tier of towns is
becoming known and appreciated, which can
be seen by travelling through them.
Divide the county in the centre, by north
and south line, then view the east half with
an impartial eye, with the advantages for be-
coming thickly populated, and compare it
with the west halt, then tell me, candidly,
where you think majority of the inhabit-
ants will be in few years; in the east or west
part of the county? You may now compare
the number of inhabitants east of range fif-
teen in this county, with the west halt, and
yVu VIZ Alii Iuo1 tilC CdoC HAL udo d uldJOIl-
ty at the present time. Then deduct the
transient inhabitants, those that are at the
mills and in the pineries, men who have no
interest in the county, and, consequently,
would not have any business to transact, and
would not be called to visit the county seat,
unless as witnesses, or to answer for offences
committed. Deduct them and you lose one
third of the voters in the west half, if not
one third of the inhabitants. The only ar
guments that have been advanced in favor of
Grand Haven, are these: First, the prospect
of a Railroad running south, along the Lake
shore, which they say sage ones predict will
be built. And now can any man see for what
purpose it would be used for eight months in
the year, in competition with one or two dai-
ly lake steamers, from Grand Haven to Chi
cago, and Milwaukee, and parallel, Also with
the Indiana and Grand Rapids Railroad,
twenty or thirty miles distant on the east I?
We think a man must be smart in figures
who can figure a profitable dividend from
capital invested in that road. Second: Grand
Haven the commercial emporium of the
county, and, as such most of our business
men-some twenty-five or thirty merchants
and lumbemen-wouldf find it quite conve-
nient to transact county business while other
matters here demand their presence. We
will admit that it would be convenient for a
r. Al