Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1857-03-04


on account Of its central positi0n9 Ottawa
Centeris nearer the geographical center of
the county, and enjoys fully all other advan-
tages possessed by the former place. Is it
that the thoroughiares leading thence to 9th
err parts of the county are more numerous or
in better condition to accommodate citizens,
generally, than those radating from other
points, We emphatically answer, nay! Is it
that the enterprise and public spirit of its cit
liens, and of the inhabitants of the township
IN which Eastmanyille- is situated, are so
strkingly displayed in public Improvements,
lby way of superior roads, bridges, &c, as to
render it, of all Others, The chosen place Let
the travelling public, and Others, acquainted
with its internal policy, in this respect, an
swer.
In short, what peculiar inducements are
held out fortcitizens to ratify the choice of
the Board of Supervisors in the selection of
this point as the future county seat of Ottawa
county? If any there are, let them be fully
presented for public consideration before the
time arrives for the final decision Of the ques-
ton at the ballot box, that every one may
vote understandingly, and as he shall deem
for the best interest of the county at large.
1 AS for ourselves, we are candidly of the
opinion that taking into consideration the UNI
settled state of most of the up river towns,
and the great deficiency of public roads, to
afford speedy and easy communication with
each other, there is no place that can be Sc
lected, in position at all central, that will af7
ford, at present, any superior advantages, to
those having business to transact at the coun7
ty seat, at every season of the year, than
are afforded by the present ocality-with-
out an expense incurred by the several towns
or county at large that can be lily afforded by
either. 5J
Though our public buildings and county
offices are far from being what they should
be, as before limited, yet all circumstances con-
sidered, we believe the county is not yet pre-
pared for change in the place Of dong its
public business. A new era is just dawning on
u.s. The completion of the Detroit and Mil
waukee Railway will introduce settlers into
portions of the county now sparsely occupied
by inhabitants; and no doubt several villages
and perhaps towns will spring up on the
route, ere the lapse of but few years, that
may put an entire new phase on the business
relations of the county. And again the priv
llege recently granted the company of ex-
tending the line Of this Railway to New Buf-
falo, by way of the tier Of towns south of us,
bordering on the Lake, is likely to make the
present location Of the county seat, or one in
its more immediate vicinity, easy of access
from most of the towns comprising the coun-
ty-and no doubt exists in the minds of sage
ones in respect to the speedy construction of
this extension.
2 Grand Haven always has been, and for
ages to come no doubt will be, the CONNER
cial emporium Of the county; and, as such,
most of our business men, throughout the
county, will find it quite convenient to trans
act county business while other matters here
demand their presence. .5' "a
These are our candid views on this subject;
but if the people of the county at large, up
on duly weighing all the various considera-
tions connected with removal Of the county
seat to Eastmanvle, shall decide upon that
location, we shall acquiesce i'll the decision of
the majority, however much we may deem it
against the true interest of the county to
have such decision given. .''' +" ~ r.
itW nt ---L---- ~ ~ al
ES" The high water in our immediate vi |
cinity, and through the different portions of
the county, for the past two weeks, has been
awt@ in its consequences; doing damage to
roads and bridges that will take weeks and
months to repair. lss.fr;qrt
The mail on the north side of the river had
not been received for nearly two weeks, at
The different Offices between this and Grand
Rapids, previous to Saturday last. yasa.t
The flats of the Crockery, near. Judge
are entirely impossible for